I went to the doctor recently, and I understood every word they said. However, I had no clue what they were trying to tell me! This happens more often that I would really care to admit. I understand the WORDS in a conversation, but the MEANING just escapes me. This situation happened again while we were visiting a cute little Mediterannean town with Daniel's family.
The sign on the restaurant said something like "small fried fish". We asked the waitress what it was, and her explanation made it sound like expensive fish nuggets for adults. This town was a tourist trap, but it still served "authentic" meals like small ocotpus, squid, fish pie, etc. So, fried fish sounded good.
A better translation would have been "small fried fish-es".
Claire asked why our fish had eyes. I think her grandparents and great-grandparents almost choked on their own little fish when she said that! But, being the good little French-ified American that she is, CLAIRE TRIED ONE! We were so proud! (She did, however, turn down a second fish.)