So, after last week where around 8 local news portals too my post (without my permission), translated it badly into Albanian (and Italian), and then posted it far and wide on social media (without any link to the original article), whilst using insulting images to accompany it (which were totally different from the ones I selected), you can imagine there was a bit of an uproar. My inbox on all social media platforms was inundated with messages and some of the comments received were…well, less than polite. To all of them I pointed out the bad translation and guided them to this website to show them that actually, I LOVE Albania, I LOVE Albanians, and I am not a condescending expat who looks down on them from my colonial high horse. I will say that I got a lot of lovely supportive comments from people, which far outweighed the negative ones. Also, when I actually directed some of the “haters” to the actual site so they could see the things I write about, I did get a few apologies which was appreciated.
The original post came from a place of warm affection and was meant to make people smile, not get angry, and I feel that this point was lost in the translations that appeared in the media. When Top Channel asked me to come on “Wake Up” to discuss the article, I thought it was a good opportunity to set the record straight and to explain that a) I am not a tourist and b) I was not insulting. Also to point out that yes I am joking and meaning it in a lighthearted manner, but you have to admit, the list is pretty spot on.
Anyway, this is my interview and thank you to Top Channel for the opportunity. To all Albanian media houses- feel free to use my articles but ask me first, let me get the translation checked, and for god’s sake, link to my website.
