Sound Recording has taken me right across the world, from America to Zanzibar, and I always count myself entirely privileged to have seen many things that tourists will never get a chance to, especially in some of the more distant backwaters.
I place myself ambassador and observer in equal parts and since courtesy costs nothing I always make sure to learn how to be nice in all languages, mostly because I have always met such nice people in every corner of the world and sometimes to make getting through customs easier, as my gear always rings alarms when x-rayed due to looking something like a time-bomb and gun assortment.
On documentaries you often find yourself being pulled around cities as if by a large dog and as the cameraman is desperately trying to do his bit, I find myself in the practical position of apologising for all the barging and general getting in the way that the cameraman is managing and that’s why it’s always good to know a short form of sorry and thanks rather than just a full formal version as you could be using it every few steps.
Most of this list is phonetic from my scribbled notes.
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| Arabic | |
| Anna mo-handez Sawrt | I am a Soundman |
| Anna assa-gil Sawrt mo film | I am recording for a film |
| Momkin assa-gil sawrt an-ma-kan? | Do you mind if I record here? |
| Tasweer! | Rolling! |
| Sho-kran | Thank you |
| Ye-sla-moo! | Thanks! |
| Assef | Sorry |
| Assef Jedden | I’m really sorry |
| Bulgarian | |
| The national drink here is Rakia, a fruit brandy, flavours vary but best found made from an elderly relative rather than off the shelf. There is also Mastika, a bit like Ouzo, that is good on it’s own, with creme de menthe or slyly added to the summertime served cold cucumber soup: Tarator. Note that not immediately having and enjoying tarator when offered it causes confusion. |
|
| Blaga-darya | Thank you |
| Mnogo | Very much (always means many or a lot) |
| Mersee | Thanks (Yes, they’ve borrowed from the French) |
| Molja | Please |
| Sazaljavam | Sorry |
| Nyama problem | (There is) no problem |
| Ezze-ve-netteh | Excuse me |
| Az pravya Zvuk | I do Sound |
| Az zapisvam Zvuk | I record Sound |
| Az sni-ma | I’m filming |
| Sni-ma meh | We’re filming |
| Eema problem | There is a problem |
| Tikho | Quiet! |
| Mnogo-eh Shumun-noh | It’s too noisey |
| Hi-deh (or even just: I-deh) | Let’s go! |
| Doh Skoro | See you soon |
| Ciao | Hello/Bye (Yes, they’ve adopted a bit of Italian too) |
| Nasdraveh | Cheers lit. Good health so also good for: Bless you |
| Oshte Ed-Noh | One more (m) (for wine etc) |
| Oshte Ed-Na | One more (f) (for beer and soft drinks) |
| Oshte B-Veh | Two more (f) (for beer and soft drinks) |
| Sersh-tia | the same (so oshte bveh sershtia for two more of the same) |
| Tazi Hrraneh mnogo who-ba-va | This food is very good |
| Tozi Produzent ste plaati za veCherta | This Producer will pay for everything |
| Cantonese | |
| Ne-how | Hello |
| Shay shay | Thank you |
| Czech | |
| De-ku-ye | Thank you |
| Deke | Thanks |
| Nasdravee | Cheers |
| Danish | |
| Lewd Technika | Sound Engineer |
| Onn Skuud Mai | Excuse me |
| Tak | Thanks |
| French | |
| Je suis un enrigestre du son | I am a Sound Recordist |
| Est ce que je peux enregistrer ce que vous faites? | Can I record what you’re doing? |
| Il est trop bruyant | It’s too noisy |
| German | |
| Tone Engineer | Sound Engineer |
| Enschulegunze bitter | Sorry (long form) |
| Schuleghun | Sorry |
| Knock eins bitter | One more please (beer) |
| Knock einen bitter | One more wine/cocktail please |
| Greek | |
| Emme icholiptis | I am a Soundman |
| Pa-Meh | Let’s go |
| Endaxi | Ok |
| Ne | Yes |
| Oche | No |
| Issi-he-aa | Shhh |
| Ichos | Sound (lit. Echoes) |
| Sinhor-Rest-e-ton, eena malakass | Forgive him, he’s a wanker |
| Hungarian | |
| E-gen | Yes |
| Nem | No |
| Kurs-son-um | Thank you |
| Kursee | Thanks |
| Hodge vodge? | How are you? |
| Hong | Sound |
| Hong foylog | Sound turning |
| Tasheg | Action |
| Parminter | Rolling |
| EggyShegga-dRaa | Cheers |
| Ninch meat | Don’t mention it |
| Lesarom | I don’t care (Lit. I shit on it) |
| Italian | |
| Scusa | Excuse me/Sorry |
| Swan-no | Sound |
| Velo-chi-ta | Speed |
| Axe-ioni! | Action! |
| Yo sono engineery del swan-no | I am a Sound Engineer |
| Porco registrairey cosa fatch-endo? | May I record what you are doing? |
| Cosa posa farey? | What are you to do? (Lit: Pfffft) |
| Nonte arabiali | Calm down |
| Latvian | |
| Ja | Yes |
| Ne | No |
| Sveiki | Hello |
| Loodzu | Please |
| Loodzu Rekinu | The bill please |
| Pri-eka | Cheers |
| Lithuanian | |
| Achoo | Thank you |
| At-see-pra-sure | Sorry |
| Ee-zvee-catta | Cheers |
| Polish | |
| Yeden | One |
| Yesh-chay-ras | Another |
| Yesh-chay-yeden | One more |
| Na-droo-gee | Next one |
| Shay-prashum | Sorry |
| Prom-in-te | Excuse me |
| Chin-quayer | Thank you |
| Wan-chige | Sound Speed (lit: Connected) |
| Yestem zhvenc-coftem | I am soundman |
| Uganda Luo dialect (Gulu region) | |
| A tia Ma-Tek | I am a Sound Engineer |
| E ree mah-beh | Hello everyone |
| E tia ma-beh? | Are you well? |
| E tia ma-beh | I am well |
| Tee Mah Que cha | Excuse me/sorry |
| Beytam | Don’t worry about it |
| A foy-oh | Thank you |
| A foy-oh mah-tek | Thank you very much |
| Dirka meat meat moh | This food is very nice |
| Wa-goy | Cheers |
| Kel beer moh kenneh | Bring another beer |
| Kel beer a rio moh kenneh | Bring 2 more beers |
| Spainish | |
| Y soy a Sonido | I am a Soundman |
| PerMiso | Excuse me |
| Por favor | Please |
| Pweydoh grabbaar lowkey estass atheeEndoh? | Can I record what you’re doing? |
| Una mas | One more |
| Swahili | |
| Me-me Ne-na Foondi wah sah-ooti | I am a sound Engineer |
| Mambo | Hello |
| SaWah | OK |
| Nzuri | Good |
| Nzuri sana | Very Good |
| Mbye-ya | Bad |
| Asan-te | Thank you |
| Tafad-hali | Please |
| Kwah helli | Goodbye |
| Tu-enDeh | Let’s go |
| Na-Taka… | I want… |
| Si-Taka… | I don’t want… |
| Hee | it/that |
| Wali | Rice |
| Nyama | Meat/Beef |
| Kuku | Chicken |
| Duvi | Prawns |
| Maji | Water |
| Koowah | Big |
| Maji Koowah | Big bottle of water |
| Nyen-geni | Another one |
| Tamashek (Saharan Toureg) | |
| This was learned in Mali during my first foreign doc. My bad French got me by mostly but we spent a month following the Toureg band Tinawrien to the Festival in the Desert. We spent a week in Timbuktu and was disappointed not to find the Mr.Men there. | |
| Ta-rel-ad-zhet | Hello, how are you? |
| Al-ha-Rass | Fine thank you |
| My-Zjahn | Are you well? |
| My-zjahn | I’m fine (like ca va) |
| Iss seermin… | My name is… |
| Nuk-ug-a-leah | We’re going |
| Ag Far-hed amun | Give me water |
| Ear ziden | The food is good |
| Tin sid darell herr | Good night |
| Akka-lie-he! | Watch out! |
| Daz-adum | Scorpion |
| Eela bass-en | He is a bad man |
Julian Willson AMPS MIPS 