FFWD Weekly
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| VIDEO VULTURE Occasionally, a mostly English-language film will hit us with a line of dialogue that needs translating. Sometimes a translation is provided (in Things To Do in Denver When You're Dead, we're told that "Boat Drinks" is an expression of well-wishing) and sometimes we're left to figure it out for ourselves (like the caveman lingo from When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth). Here are a few movie lines and their corresponding translations: · A Clockwork Orange (1971): The characters in this film speak Nadsat; a peculiar form of slang that combines Russian, Cockney, Shakespearean English, and baby-talk. Alex (Malcolm McDowell) uses it on a pair of "devotchkas" (girls) he meets in a record store: "What you got back home, little sister, to play your fuzzy warbles on? I bet you've got little save pitiful portable picnic players. Come with Uncle, and hear all proper. Hear angel trumpets and devil trombones. You are invited!" Translation: a) Come back to my place and listen to my stereo, or b) come back to my place for a fast-motion threesome to the tune of the William Tell Overture. · Mary Poppins (1964): "Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious!" Translation: I have nothing to say and yet I'm deliriously happy about it. · Airplane! (1980): Two of the characters in this classic parody speak Jive, for which subtitles have thoughtfully been provided. "Shi', man, that honky mo'fo' messing w' my old lady.... Got to be running cold upside down his head, you know?" Translation: Golly, that white fellow should stay away from my wife, or I will punch him. "Hey home, I can dig it. Y'know he ain't gonna lay no more pig rap off on you, man." Translation: Yes, he is wrong for doing that. "I say hey, s'guy... somethin' to say? Pray to J, I did the same ol', same ol'." Translation: I knew a man in a similar predicament... and he ended up being sorry. "Make yourself a pro, Slick. Lot of performers down not take T.C.B.ing, man." Translation: Don't be so naive, Arthur. Each of us faces a clear moral choice. "Hey; you know what they say... see a broad all booty-eyed; lay her down and smack 'am, jack 'em." Translation: Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. "Cold got the beat! Shiiit!" Translation: How true! Golly! · Dead Alive (1993): "Signaya!" Translation: Oh my goodness! You've been bitten by a rare Sumatran Rat-Monkey! Before you know it, you'll be a carnivorous zombie! We must dismember you now. Nothing personal. · Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) Bruce Beresford (director of Driving Miss Daisy) made this raucous comedy based on the Barry McKenzie comic strip. The main character barrages us with a constant stream of obscene Australian slang, usually related to the after-effects of excessive beer consumption: "Chunder," "Play the whale," "Go the big spit," "Technicolor yawn," "Park a tiger," "Cry Ruth," "Drive the big white bus," "Liquid laugh," "make love to the lav"` Translation: To vomit. "Splash the boots," "Train Terence at the terracotta," "Aim Archie at the Armitage," "Drain the dragon," "Point Percy at the porcelain," "Water the horses," "Wring the rattlesnake," "Syphon the python," "Strain the potatoes," "Shake hands with the unemployed," "Slash" Translation: To urinate. · The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951): "Klaatu Barada Nikto" Translation: Please don't destroy the Earth, Mr. Giant Robot, sir. Klaatu said it was okay with him if you let us live. Not that I'm pressuring you or anything. Thanks. Sorry. Thanks. · Eek! Stravaganza (1995) This tape includes two rabidly funny "Eek! the Cat" cartoons. In one, a housewife causes mass destruction with her vacuum cleaner while repeating aloud the nonsensical language lesson she's listening to on her Walkman. Memorize these handy common phrases: "Vocu mon chapeau." Translation: I have buried my hat. "Mon Dieu! Zul de uf fello." Translation: The rats have eaten the car. "Le bush deno-nu taxez." Translation: The library is full of tar. "Ze floo de nanyet." Translation: Your axe is swift, stewardess. |
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