Spraakverwarring.

Taal kan nog wel eens voor verwarring zorgen, zeker als het niet de eigen moedertaal is. Zo zat er jaren lang ergens in Friesland een Chinees die luisterde naar de naam "Mei Wah", wat precies hetzelfde klinkt als de Friese uitdrukking voor "Met wie". Dat leidde, al dan niet opzettelijk, nog wel eens tot vermakelijke conversaties. Nu kwam ik de notities tegen van een gesprek van een callcenter dat ook niet helemaal liep zoals de bedoeling was (met excuus voor de lezers die geen Engels spreken):

Caller : Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan ?
Operator : Yes, you can speak to me.
Caller: No, I want to speak to Annie Wan!
Operator: You are allready talking to me! Who is this?
Caller: I'm Sum Wan.And I need to talk to Annie Wan! It's urgent.
Operator: I understand you are someone and you want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter you want to discuss? Maybe I can put you through to the right person if you tell what it's about.
Caller: Well just tell Annie Wan that Noe Wan was involved in an accident. Noe Wan got injured and now Noe Wan is being rushed to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan is on his way to the hospital.
Operator(sounding annoyed): Look: if no one was in an accident, no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital I don't see why every one is on his way to the hospital. This isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious, but you are waisting my time and I don't have time for this!
Caller: You are so rude! Who are you?
Operator: I'm Sol Lee.
Caller: Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name.