Fluent in Faux Pas
A Guide to Accidentally Getting Everything Wrong
By Daniela Hristova
Publisher: DH Faux Pas Press
Release Date: September 7, 2026
ISBN: 9781066845903 (ebook)
Genre: Memoir
Two degrees. Zero English.
A night shift in an abandoned psychiatric hospital.
You learn to laugh. Fast.
Arriving in England for a fresh start, the author quickly discovers that the English language is a minefield of polite confusion, baffling idioms, and linguistic traps. Without the vocabulary to express who she is, daily life becomes a high-stakes game of translation roulette at the absolute bottom of the career ladder.
Spanning decades through the beating heart of the British workforce—from factory lines and catering at Heathrow to securing film sets and government buildings—her biggest opponent isn’t the long hours; it’s the English dictionary.
Navigating professional environments with a mismatched vocabulary leads to spectacular, unintentional blunders. From mixing up sound-alike words to translating idioms far too literally, every shift becomes a lesson in how easily things get lost in translation.
Yet, behind the comedy lies a deeply personal struggle: the quiet isolation of startincover. When pressure peaks, remarkable encounters and a profound return to faith offer a path to true transformation.
Fluent in Faux Pas is a warm, witty, and wonderfully honest memoir—a celebratory story of resilience and an inspiring reminder that the best parts of life are often found when we are completely lost in translation.
About the Author
Daniela Hristova arrived in the UK with an English vocabulary consisting of little more than “teabag” and a background as a multi-media journalist, actress, and singer who had spent years working in television, radio, newspaper, and stage in her home country. With a diverse professional journey that later ranged from wielding a mop to building a career in leadership and court security, she has navigated life’s twists with a steady faith, a sharp eye, and a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Channeling her unique experiences and cultural blunders into the written word, she has penned a witty tribute to the resilience it takes to start over. When she isn’t writing or tackling new adventures, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Dea. Fluent in Faux Pas is her debut memoir.
Daniela Hristova
