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AIBU?

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Original poster

My washing machine has decided it's Chinese

44 replies

BreadInCaptivity · 07/12/2021 21:41

Goodnesses knows how, but the language settings on my washing machine have changed to Chinese (at least I think it's Chinese).

No problem, I think.

I get out the instruction booklet (carefully filed for such an emergency), look up language settings and bring up the list of language options.

One major fucking flaw....

All the languages are listed in Chinese so I've no bloody clue what to select.

I've just spent 15 minutes messing about randomly selecting options, trying (and failing) to find any language that uses characters I have a remote chance of deciphering.

AIBU give up for half and hour and have a Gin to calm myself before returning to swear at the bloody thing and trying again?

OP posts:
educatingrati · 07/12/2021 21:47

I was going suggest typing them into google translate, but if the characters are in mandarin it really won't help will it?BlushGrin
But your op has made me laugh...sorry not helpful!

ChangeChingyChange · 07/12/2021 21:48

Just select every language til its English? What's the Chinese spelling of English?

educatingrati · 07/12/2021 21:48

I suppose you could see if there is a free Chinese character keyboard app!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/12/2021 21:48

Theres an app which uses photos of text to translate

jetadore · 07/12/2021 21:48

Google translate English into mandarin, study it carefully, then try to match that to one of the choices on the menu.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 07/12/2021 21:49

What sort of machine is it? There might be a manual online in English?

ChangeChingyChange · 07/12/2021 21:49

^^

My washing machine has decided it's Chinese
InTheLabyrinth · 07/12/2021 21:51

Install the Google translate app on a phone or tablet.
Get the list of languages, and use the take a picture option, with automatic language detection into English, and see what comes up.

InTheLabyrinth · 07/12/2021 21:52

Or, try switching it off at the wall, and see if it reverts to English after the loss in power!

NannyR · 07/12/2021 21:53

I think there is a Google translate app where you point your camera at the text and it translates it to English (disclaimer; I don't have it but I was watching someone use it on you tube tonight). It might be easier than trying to type into a translator.

Original poster
BreadInCaptivity · 07/12/2021 21:54

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry

What sort of machine is it? There might be a manual online in English?

It's Miele.

I've got the instruction booklet so I know what buttons to press, I just can't find a language that I can even remotely guess from....

I've not waited for a reply and decided the occasion definitely calls for gin....

OP posts:
custardbear · 07/12/2021 21:54

Large family size gin and have a good laugh - or let the children sort it ... whilst you relax on style with said gin

herestoyoucolinrobinson · 07/12/2021 21:54

You should be able to just live translate in the Google translate app. I've done it before.

Original poster
BreadInCaptivity · 07/12/2021 21:55

@educatingrati

I suppose you could see if there is a free Chinese character keyboard app!

Did think of that but I'm not sure what language it is.

Could be mandarin but could be Korean for all I know...so I can't even select a keyboard/translation format to start with....

OP posts:
Original poster
BreadInCaptivity · 07/12/2021 21:57

@InTheLabyrinth

Install the Google translate app on a phone or tablet. Get the list of languages, and use the take a picture option, with automatic language detection into English, and see what comes up.

Oh that might work.

Problem is I'm not even sure what language it even is...

OP posts:
educatingrati · 07/12/2021 21:57

@InTheLabyrinth

Or, try switching it off at the wall, and see if it reverts to English after the loss in power!
But this is best idea!
Original poster
BreadInCaptivity · 07/12/2021 21:58

Tried the on/off method!!!

No joy.

Am enjoy gin and will try again in a bit...

DH thinks it's hilarious....

OP posts:
NannyR · 07/12/2021 21:59

Another idea - if you give us the model number, someone who has the exact same machine might be able to go through their options and tell you that English is the third on the list, for example. Years ago, I had the same problem with a mobile phone when I accidentally switched it into German, I found someone with the same phone and went through the option on both phones.

educatingrati · 07/12/2021 21:59

I was wondering if google translate automatically recognises the language as there are several languages spoken in China! Cantonese is another one!

CloudyStorms · 07/12/2021 22:01

Can you post a pic and someone here might be able to help?

debbrianna · 07/12/2021 22:05

Post a photo of the chracter/writing on mn. Someone will know.

LifesNotEnidBlyton · 07/12/2021 22:05

Can you just click any language and keep doing that until you hit on one you can convert? So if you hit something and it turns out to be French or Spanish it'll be easier to undersnd the French word for English than Mandarin.

onlychildhamster · 07/12/2021 22:07

I can read mandarin, take a pic and I can tell you :)

Original poster
BreadInCaptivity · 07/12/2021 22:08

Well I'm not totally mad.

Ive consulted the internet and found some one talking to an expert who had the same issue as me.

I AM NOT ALONE!!

Sounds like the answer is selecting languages until you hit in one you have a chance of "leaping" to English from.

www.justanswer.co.uk/appliance/8qytx-sos-just-bought-expensive-new-miele-power-wash.html

OP posts:
onlychildhamster · 07/12/2021 22:08

@educatingrati the written form is the same, what is different is the pronunciation. They are hence dialects rather than languages.

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