DEAR SUN SPOTS: In reference to the broken one-year-old television, there is a state law called the Consumer Goods and Maine Express and Implied Warranty Laws that may cover television repair or replacement. It covers goods up to four years from purchase.
My TV had a serious failure three years after I purchased it. I called the company directly and informed them of the law and that I was aware of the law. They worked with me within 24 hours. I recommend you download the law from www.maine.gov, Maine Consumer Law Guide, to learn your rights. — Pat, paturner@roadrunner.com.
ANSWER: Sun Spots has frequently referred readers, including the most recent complainants, to the Consumer Protection Service of the Maine Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-436-2131. This group oversees and enforces the Consumer Law Guide to which you refer. Readers can review this document at http://tinyurl.com/26d7zeg.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would you please explain the highlighted enclosure? I have seen it many times in several articles and do not understand it.
Also, I want to send you a very belated thank-you for sending me the clipping of Betty Cody quite a while ago. I love your column. — No Name, No Town
ANSWER: No Name sent Sun Spots one of her previous columns in which “…” appeared in the middle of a sentence. This should have been an elipses (…). This is a computer translation error; these occur when one computer system doesn’t “talk” to another correctly, and special symbols are turned into gibberish.
In typography there are many special symbols, such as those for ellipses, an accented e, as used in French names, and symbols to indicate fractions. For example, one-half is turned into “½,” and if you see “´,” it should be replaced with an accented e.
French speakers will notice that in the next letter, Sun Spots turned all the special characters into plain alphabet. She regrets if this affects the translation, but it is necessary and what the Sun Journal attempts to do in all stories. Unfortunately, every once in a while one slips through. Hence the “….”
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I, too, have found online translations unsatisfactory. Here are the lyrics to “The French Song” as I understand them:
Quand le soleil dit bonjour aux montagnes
Et que la nuit rencontre le jour
Je suis seule avec mes reves sur la montagne
Une voix me rappelle toujours
J’ecoute a ma porte de la chanson du vent
Rappelle les souvenirs de toi
Quand le soleil dit bonjour aux montagnes
Je suis seule. Je ne veux penser qu’a toi
Now when the Sun says good day to the mountains
And the night says hello to the dawn
I’m alone with my dreams on the hilltop
I can still hear his voice though he’s gone
I hear from my door the love songs through the wind
It brings back sweet memories of you
Quand le soleil dit bonjour aux montagnes
Je suis seule. Je ne veux penser qu’a toi.
Here also is a video of Lucille Starr singing the song: http://tinyurl.com/3yzdu74. — Old French Teacher, Auburn
ANSWER: Sun Spots also received a very similar translation from Jeannette in Lewiston. Thank you to everyone who responded to the “French Song” letter.
This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.
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