Amerikanische Betrachtungen - American Reflections
Wie man Englisch lernt - How to Learn English
First issued with acoustic matrices 45741 and 45742, then later issued with electrical matrices Ⓦ194116 and Ⓦ194117
Acoustic:
A side (mx. 45741 recorded New York, NY, June 3, 1915.
B side (mx. 45742 recorded New York, NY, June 3, 1915.
Originally released in 1915 as Columbia E2729.
Electrical re-recording:
A side: mx. Ⓦ194116
B side: mx. Ⓦ194117
"...translating idiomatic expressions from one language to another could be a formidable task, often generating unwanted results. The 1915 recording "Wie Man Englisch Lernt," by Carl Frischer on Columbia [E]2797 plays on these difficulties. Carl Frischer informs his audience that his Irish girlfriend has betrayed him and now he has decided to share with us the letter in English he has written ending their relationship. His literal translations of German idioms into English create linguistic havoc resulting in a very poorly constructed letter in English and a very funny skit.
Excerpt:
"Mein liebes, süsses Zuckerherz, my dear little sweet sugar heart .... seitdem ich mich mit Dir verbunden habe ... (wissen Sie, es ist nicht so leicht, vom Deutschen ins Englische zu übersetzen, because the American can [question the houses?] which is the German) .... seitdem ich mich mit Dir verbunden habe .... since I farknipft myself with you hab ich 'rausgefunden have I found it out dass Du mich hintergehst that you go behind me hinterum und so habe ich den Entschluss gefasst and so I catched the resolution dass ich Dir nicht mehr den Hof machen will but now I don't like to make you any more the yard. Ich liebte Dich immer zum Fressen ganz I always liked you so very much that I liked to fress you aber jetzt ist's aus but but now is out.
Ich hab' Dir immer gesagt I always telled you so dass ich imstande bin that I am in the stand eine Familie zu ernähren to nourish a family, aber jetzt ist's aus now is out und ich kann Dich nur versichern and now I can make the insurance mit you dass ich die Sache nicht mehr auf die lange Bank schieben will but now I don't like to push the Käse [case pronounced like Käse = cheese] on the long bench any more. Lass' mich für immer in Frieden und in Ruhe let me for ever in quietness. Shurrup und halt's Maul, Du aufgeblasene alte Dampfnudel, you old busted-up steam noodle. Ich hab' überhaupt schon 'nen Katzenjammer von Dir ... das ist sehr schwer zu übersetzen, denn der Amerikaner weiss genau was "Katzenjammer" ist -- I got already pussy-sick from you. Jetzt will ich schließen -- now I want to finish myself -- Lebe wohl, Leberwurst"
Translation:
"My dear sweet sugar heart ... my dear little sweet sugar heart .... since I linked up with you... (You know, it isn't too easy to translate from German into English, because the American can [question the houses?] which is the German) .... since I "farknipft" myself with you, I found out that you cheat on me, have I found it out that you go behind me in the back, and so I reached the decision .... and so I catch the resolution that I will no longer court you... but now I don't like to make you any more the yard. I could have devoured you entire with love ... I always liked you so very much that I liked to devour you, but now it's over ... but now is out. I have always told you ... I always "telled" you so ... that I am in a position... that I am in the stand to support a family ... to nourish a family, but now it's over ... now is out, and I can only assure you... and now I can make the insurance with you ...that I am not going to let this case keep pending ... now I don't like to push the cheese ["casee"] on the long bench any more. Leave me forever more in peace and alone ... let me for ever in quietness; shurrup ... and keep your trap shut, you old puffed-up dumpling ... you old busted-up steam noodle. I'm altogether sick and have a hang-over (katzenjammer) from you ... (You know, it isn't easy to translate from German to English, because Americans know precisely what a "katzenjammer" is) I'm already pussy-sick from you. Goodbye, liverwurst" [9]