When Foreigners Mis-pronounce Words

[brahmburgers]

True story: about 20 years ago when I was playing in an R&B band doing one a club gig in California. The owner of the the club, a Welshman, also tended bar. One particular rolicking night, we heard him shouting to the bandstand, "Play some Buh-eeh Haw-eeh!" We shouted back, "what?" Then he yelled the same a few more times. None of the 6 guys in the band understood what he wanted. At the next break, I went over and had him write it down on a napkin. It turns out he wanted the band to play some of our Buddy Holly songs.

= = = = = = =

Another true story; One time in Mexico, I was courting a particularly cute senorita, and she was trying to tell me who her favortie singer was. She kept saying "Miguel Hakson" after a few moments of ponderance, I realized she was referring to

....Michael Jackson

[Neddy]

True story: about 20 years ago when I was playing in an R&B band doing one a club gig in California. The owner of the the club, a Welshman, also tended bar. One particular rolicking night, we heard him shouting to the bandstand, "Play some Buh-eeh Haw-eeh!" We shouted back, "what?" Then he yelled the same a few more times. None of the 6 guys in the band understood what he wanted. At the next break, I went over and had him write it down on a napkin. It turns out he wanted the band to play some of our Buddy Holly songs.

= = = = = = =

Another true story; One time in Mexico, I was courting a particularly cute senorita, and she was trying to tell me who her favortie singer was. She kept saying "Miguel Hakson" after a few moments of ponderance, I realized she was referring to

....Michael Jackson

[Neddy]

Once I was in a restaurant/bar in Manila. the waitress asked if she could help me. It was hot and I was sweaty, so I said, "San Miguel". She gave me a strange look and said that "We don't have that here". I pointed at thenext table where they were enjoying a cold San Miguel. Just give me one of those, I told her.

then she smiled and said "I thought you wanted me to Send Me A Girl".

[steveromagnino]

I was in this band playing with myself, and putting on a great show....but that has nothing to do wid this story.

When Stevie Wonder came out to play here (yes i know, a repeat, but some of you missed it the first time) there was a young Thai fan in the audience, who yelled out in the encore; 'a jazz chord stevie!!!'

So stevie wonder launches into a funky version of straight no chaser by Thelonius monk; a bebop classic with a HUGE keyboard breakdown...the house goes wild.... but the Thai fan is having none of it and yells again 'a jazz chord stevie!!'

Wondering whether perhaps this is a true swing jazz fan, and Thelonius Monk was a bit too modern, Stevie nails a blisteringly meaty version of Lush Life; an Ellington standard.... but even that isn't enough! As the audience gives a standing ovation, the fan not deterred yells out 'a jazz chord stevie!'

So Stevie Wonder starts shaking his head as he does, and says, tell me more my sweet little guy....

and so the fan says.....

'ok. A jazz chord.................

...............to say I lub you!'

cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesy .

[brahmburgers]

there was a letter to a BKK newspaper years ago that talked about a Thai movie maker who went to Hollywood to study movie making. He came back and made a bunch a cheapo movies with Thai chicks screaming throughout. When a farang friend asked the filmaker what he learned about filmaking in the States, the Thai guy said he studied 'Screamplay'

No, said the farang, the word is actually 'screenplay'