Friday, July 3, 2009

Translating American slang and colloquialism in Gujarati

Have you wondered how American slang would sound like if they were translated literally to an average Indian, say, in one of the Gujarati news weeklies published in the United States of America or for that matter even any Gujarati publication published in India?

Have a nice day! ----- Tamaro divas Saro jai

What's up? ----- em>Uppar Shun Chhe/em stron

You're kidding! ----- Tame mane Chokaro banavi rahya chho

Don't kid me! ----- Maane Chokaro Na Banavsho

Yo, baby! What's up? Deekari, Uppar Shun Chhe?

Cool man! ….Thando Manas

Don't mess with me, dude.----- Maari saathe kacharo na karish, chokara.

She's so fine! ----- Te Ketali paatali chhe

Listen buddy, that chick's mine, okay!?----- Sambhal dost, te chokari maari chhe, barobaar?

Are you nuts? ----- Taame badam/pista to naathi ne?

Son of a gun.----- Bandook Na Dikara. Or Bandook Putra

At a Gunpoint ----- Banduk ni Aniae

How do you do? ----- Kevi Rite Karo chho?

General Body Meeting.... ----- Saamanya Shaaririk Milan

Keep in touch... ----- Aadakta Rahejo

Your fly is open….Tamari Makhi khulli chhe

A major ass-hole…(according to the Gujarat Times published from New York) was translated as – Motto Gadhedo. The guys at the Gujarat Times do not know the difference between a Gardhab and a Guda. May be a gardhab should kick some one’s guda at the Gujarat Times.

San Jose… San Joshe – according to the above mentioned Gujarat Times. Some one should infuse some saan in to the Gujarat Times’ editor and writers.

Phoenix, Arizona ---- Fonix, Arizona. This one too is from Gujarat Times

Al Gore ----- Al Gorey

America! ------ Ambeyrica.

Jai Ambe!

While we are talking about American slang and usage, how about if some one translates a peculiar Gujarati usage such as
Aaje Maare Somvar chhe in to I have Monday today?

A dear friend has submitted this gem of Gujarati translation of

Gordon Walker in to Gordhan Chaloo

Now my two-cents worth on the topic under discussion–

American usage Bitch in to Gujarati – Dog Maa (for Kutrani Maa),

Gullible into Gujarati: Jene khub Gali gali thay te…
Bipolar in to Gujarati: Je banne pole-ni musafari kari avya hoy te(As in falana bhai/bahen bahen bipolar chhe instead of saying falana bhai/bahen Uttar and Daskhin dhruv ni musafari kari aavya chhe)
Bypass (as in surgery): A Gujarati term for divorce (As in Aemni bai pass thai gai)

Here is what you can do:

Do you know or have you made up or come across any funny translations of English slang or usage in to Gujarati? Do forward those to me and would be happy to publish.
Send it to harisht895@sbcglobal.net

No comments:

Post a Comment