Comedy As A Second Language

Comedy As A Second Language (MP3s)

Our Scandinavian correspondent John from Oslo recently submitted this amazing example of indigenous Swedish comedy from the radio show Hassan:

Hassan - Gay Goes West (MP3)

What's great about this is that you don't need to understand any Swedish in order to enjoy it. In fact, it's far more amusing when you don't understand what they're saying. (If you're curious, John included a translation of it which you can read after the jump. But listen to it first.)

It got me thinking - what other foreign language comedy clips could I come up with that are funny in spite of the language barrier? Unfortunately, I could only come up with one other one, this Cheech and Chong-inspired routine from the Japanese edition of Yellow Magic Orchestra's Multiplies album (translations welcome!):

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Snakeman Show #3 (MP3)

Let me know if you can think of any other non-English comedy routines that pass the incomprehensible humor test.

John from Oslo went on to report: Generally Danes, Swedes and Norwegians understand each other. Lately the linguistics department at the University of Oslo have seen an increased tendency among Scandinavian youngsters to speak English. As this snippet proves:

Translation of "Gay Goes West" from the Swedish radio program Hassan:

Angel Talks with a Swedish accent in a typical fast Scandinavian gayish way; high pitched, excited, tranny'ish. Pedro Talks with a Northern Norwegian accent - reserved - accommodative.

Pedro: Narvik Tourist Information

Angel: Hi, Hello, where have I reached?

Pedro: To Narvik tou...

Angel: Hi, my name is Angel, I'm caling from the Stockholm Gay Film Festival. We're taking a trip to Narvik next week.

Pedro: Yes

Angel: All of us are going; Balthazar, Tito, Robban, Jean Claude, Raoul, Fleming; All of us are going. And we're really looking forward 'cause none of us have ever been to Norway.

Pedro: Yes

Angel: And, eh - yes, we're traveling under the motto; "When Narvik Goes Gay, Gay Goes Wild"

Pedro: Mmmm...

Angel: And then we go "West", in other words... And we're wondering - whereabout can we stay? Cause, we don't have that figured out.

Pedro: In Narvik?

Angel: Yes, precisely

Pedro: Yes...

Angel: IN NARVIK, WE'RE GOING TO STAY IN NARVIK! (oh, what fun - cool) [crowd cheers].

Pedro: Yes...

Angel: GOD!, how delightful - they're getting really happy here in the back...

Pedro: You are alot of people?

Angel: Yes, we're about 25 all together.

Pedro: 25?

Angel: Yes!

Pedro: And you probably want the least expensive accomodation?

Angel: No, that doesn't matter, no not at all [lots of babbling] keep calm, keep calm...

Pedro: ...yes, then I can recommend, you to... to maybe try the...

Angel: Can you recommend something?

Pedro: Eh, Nordstjernen Hotell [Northern Star Hotel]

Angel: HOTEL, WE'RE GOING TO STAY IN A HOTELL! [crowd goes wild] HOTEL, HOTEL, WE'RE GOING TO STAY IN A HOTELL! WE'RE GOING TO A HOTEL, HOTEL...! (They're totally loosing it with joy here now...) Ok, we'll be there.

Pedro: Yes...

Angel: [crowd gets even more excited] HOTEL, HOTEL, WE'RE GOING TO A HOTEL - PARTY!!! (I'm gonna wear a tanga!) Shhh, now keep quiet I've got this gorgeous boy on the line.

Pedro: Yes...

Angel: Yes, then we're coming, all of us. Should I call directly to...?

Pedro: Call directly to the hotel!

Angel: What is your name?

Pedro: I'm Pedro.

Angel: PEDRO! Pedro! [crowd's losing it again] We'll meet up in Narvik later on, Pedro! Everybody; say bye to Pedro now! BYE PEDRO, SEE YOU LATER!

Pedro: Yes... [chuckles] ok... Bye then..

via blog.wfmu.org

Comedy As A Second Language (MP3s) Our Scandinavian correspondent John from Oslo recently submitted this amazing example of indigenous Swedish comedy from the radio show Hassan: Hassan - Gay Goes West (MP3) What's great about this is that you don't need to understand any Swedish in order to enjoy it ...... Read MORE » on Dogmeat