Lost in Translation

We spent an hour of class today analyzing condolences sent to La Nacion (the paper of middle/upper class Costa Rica) for people who have died. How interesting!

Apparently, it's a "social obligation" to publish a note of condolence in the paper. Some companies use it for advertising (obviously they wouldn't put it that way). For example, Dole (the fruit company) had a note of condolence for the sister of a coworker. Never mind that the Dole logo was bigger than the headline.

For Catholics, they use these notes to tell people about the masses that will be held for the deceased. The more people that come, the more indulgences are acquired. Thus, the person's time in purgatory is shortened. Did I mention that the Church receives money for each mass? Interesting how that works.