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Argentina v Brazil Translates To The Air Waves

Our tips hotline (1-800-HOT-TIPS) received a great email today from Scott J on the spilling over of the Argentina-Brazil war of South American football, giving us a clear cut message as to its prominence: it knows no bounds.

Scott, in Argentina, is watching Conan O’Brien (American talk show host who is the bastard love child of Tarja Halonen & Gheorghe Muresan) which is broadcast in English and subtitled in Spanish. Then the subject of Pele comes up. This can only go well.

The interview with Judah Friedlander (comedian type) swings the topic of convo to soccer and this is what transpires in spoken English:

J.F. – Do you know who Pelé is?

C.O’B. – Sure, he’s the greatest soccer player of all time.

J.F. – Yeah, he’s my father

He’s not but…..wait a second, don’t quote me on that.

And the corresponding translation into Spanish Argentine:

J.F. – Conoces a Pelé?

C.O’B. – Claro, es uno de los mejores jugadores de todos los tiempos.

J.F. – Sí. Es mi padre.

Magically, Pele goes from the greatest player in spoken English to one of the greatest players post-translation.

Good to know subtitling in Argentina is subjective. Amazing how such a subtle tweak within one simple sentence can define a major part of an entire continent’s culture.

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Comments
By Marco P. | January 6th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Top

I don’t think the boss of the translation service will reprimand the culprit of the mistake. In fact, I’m sure he’ll give him an end-of-the-year bonus.

Posted from Italy Italy

By OhYes | January 7th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Top

Wait where’s the translation erro…oohh i see what he did there.. very sneaky!

Subtle but extremely effective.

By Dave Martinez | January 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Top

LAY OFF OF MY HOMELAND BUDDY! We invented media spin!

Seriously.

Poor Argies. Spoon fed media lemmings.

btw – though the translation may fail, Maradona as the worlds greatest player ever will never be in question.

Posted from United States United States

By Juliet | January 7th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Top

I find this hilarious. Even tonight on Top Chef, the Italian used the World Cup ‘06 final to explain why the French chef didn’t like his food.

Posted from United States United States

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