Carlin would've been my pick for sure, so it was cool to see him pop up (even if with another country). I was curious so I stuck the different quotes into Google Translate to see what would pop out. I think the "Republique Du Burundi" listed on the image is actually talking about the country of Burundi in Africa, rather than Uruguay. It appears to all be in French.
All of the bits referenced are about religion. I know nothing about Burundi's past with religion or why they may be featuring a guy known for mocking it. Wikipedia says 93% of the country are Christians. Translations to English (starting top left to bottom right) from the image above are:
1 - Religion is, in a way, like an elevator in your shoes. If it makes you feel good, so much the better!
But don't ask me to wear your shoes
2 - The only good thing ever to come out of religion is music
3 - I finally accepted Jesus, not as my personal savior, but as a man from whom I thought I could borrow money.
Religion is probably the biggest load of bullshit ever told! Think about it. Religion has effectively convinced people that there is an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he doesn't want you to do. If you do any of these ten things, he reserves a special place for you in the midst of fire and smoke that will consume you in torture and anguish, he will send you to a life of suffering to burn, to suffocate, scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time! But he loves you.
Maybe Burundi was just missing some of the irony/hidden meaning behind Carlin's work that is more easily grasped if you're a native English speaker. When you just read the text without the tone of voice and everything, I can almost see how some of them would be taken as affirmations for people that God is real and watching and the jokes like the shoe bit are viewed as more innocuous.
This is so interesting, thank you for doing that work. I think you nailed it re missing some of the context that may have been lost in translation. I was also pretty psyched to see a Carlin stamp.
Great post. Hirschfield’s ink drawings often had a number next to his signature. That was how many Ninas were hidden.
I’m on my way something soon to Lucille Ball’s hometown, Jamestown, New York, to visit the National Comedy Center. Have you been there? I can report back my findings.
I haven’t been but I heard it was amazing, though I also understand that one of my comedy arch nemeses is somehow involved. I can’t wait to see your coverage of it.
Carlin would've been my pick for sure, so it was cool to see him pop up (even if with another country). I was curious so I stuck the different quotes into Google Translate to see what would pop out. I think the "Republique Du Burundi" listed on the image is actually talking about the country of Burundi in Africa, rather than Uruguay. It appears to all be in French.
All of the bits referenced are about religion. I know nothing about Burundi's past with religion or why they may be featuring a guy known for mocking it. Wikipedia says 93% of the country are Christians. Translations to English (starting top left to bottom right) from the image above are:
1 - Religion is, in a way, like an elevator in your shoes. If it makes you feel good, so much the better!
But don't ask me to wear your shoes
2 - The only good thing ever to come out of religion is music
3 - I finally accepted Jesus, not as my personal savior, but as a man from whom I thought I could borrow money.
4 - We created God in our image and likeness
I found this image (https://images.app.goo.gl/xi6jGvFQUeLQDSxf9) on Google too of possibly a fifth stamp with one of his most famous religious bits:
Religion is probably the biggest load of bullshit ever told! Think about it. Religion has effectively convinced people that there is an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he doesn't want you to do. If you do any of these ten things, he reserves a special place for you in the midst of fire and smoke that will consume you in torture and anguish, he will send you to a life of suffering to burn, to suffocate, scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time! But he loves you.
Maybe Burundi was just missing some of the irony/hidden meaning behind Carlin's work that is more easily grasped if you're a native English speaker. When you just read the text without the tone of voice and everything, I can almost see how some of them would be taken as affirmations for people that God is real and watching and the jokes like the shoe bit are viewed as more innocuous.
This is so interesting, thank you for doing that work. I think you nailed it re missing some of the context that may have been lost in translation. I was also pretty psyched to see a Carlin stamp.
Great post. Hirschfield’s ink drawings often had a number next to his signature. That was how many Ninas were hidden.
I’m on my way something soon to Lucille Ball’s hometown, Jamestown, New York, to visit the National Comedy Center. Have you been there? I can report back my findings.
I haven’t been but I heard it was amazing, though I also understand that one of my comedy arch nemeses is somehow involved. I can’t wait to see your coverage of it.