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French non-plussed about ChatGTP name

by on28 July 2023


Lost in translation

A French reader has gotten in touch to point out how the AI phenomenon is not going down that well in France due to a problem with phonetics. The problem is that if you say the word “ChatGTP” it phonetically translates to “Cat, I farted” [Chat, J’ai pete]. 

He claimed this is causing problems, particularly for news readers who must ask probing questions such as "is Cat, I farted going to steal my job?"  One poor newsreader had to tell a story about a lawyer who used Cat, I farted" in a court case with a straight face.

Consultants claim that it is not a real problem as most French people would never tell their cats that they had farted. English people, who learnt French using unlikely sentences relating to borrowing the pen of their aunt or hunting for cherries, often talk to their cats and have a roast beef diet might have a few problems.

There equally does not seem to be a problem with the adoption of ChatAI in France despite the name and it is pretty likely they will just surrender on this feline issue.

Last modified on 28 July 2023
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