Lost in Translation: Muammar Gaddafi’s Rambling UN Speech Smites Interpreter

Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi (Moamer Kadhafi) shocked many in refusing to use the vaunted United Nations interpreters and instead brought his own. However, in the course of his rambling, stream-of-conscious speech this week, the interpreter was heard saying into a live microphone, “I just can’t take it any more” and reportedly collapsing. Many of us who listened to the speech had the same sensation.

The leader reportedly told the UN that he needed his own interpreters because he was going to use a special dialect that only Libyans would know. However, he spoke in standard Arabic.

Khadafy is known as a nightmare for interpreters. The Libyans gave this interpreter the day off. It appears that he is fluent in English but less than fluent in Crazy.

For the full story, click here.