The Medusa Fora

We like them, admire them, get up and go to bed with their names in our minds... But do we really know them? Let’s take The Pogues for a virtual tour around Europe. And because we live in a modern world, let’s use a modern tool, an online language translator, to adapt the line-up to local context properly... Let’s start traditionally, in England:
Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacey, James Fearnley, Jem Finer, Andrew Ranken, Philip Chevron, Terry Woods, Darryl Hunt.

Next stop is Poland. The brave new machine suggests the following line-up in Polish:
Szanghaj MacGowan, Pająk Staccato, Jakub Fearnley, Jem Delikatniejszy, Andrzej Ustawiony, Filip Szewron, Tkanina nie strzyżona Lasy, Darryl Polować

Which, put back into English, gives:
Shanghai MacGowan, Spider Staccato, Jim Fearnley, Jem Tenderer, Andrew Weighted, Subsidiary Chevron, Terry Woods, Darryl Shoot
... Shane went somewhat exotic, God knows why. And what happened to Philip Chevron? Never mind. Let’s respect the work of modern technology and take this new line-up to next country.

Italian
Schang-Hai MacGowan , Ragno Staccato, Jim Fearnley, Jem Offerto, Androide Peso, Sussidiario Chevron, Terrazza A legna, Darryl Sparare
Shanghai MacGowan, Spider Breakaway, Jim Fearnley, Jem Tendered, Android Weight, Subsidiary Chevron, Terrace Wood, Darryl Pop
... Android? Why not.

Swedish
Shanghai MacGowan, Spindel Brytande, Jim Fearnley, Jem Mjuk, Android Vikt, Biträdande Chevron , Förfärlig Trä, Darryl Popmusik
Shanghai MacGowan, Spider Breach, Jim Fearnley, Jem Soft, Second Weight, Subsidiaries Chevron, Terrible Wood, Quiver Pop
... Good bye, Darryl.

Serbian
Opiti nekoga i nasilno ga ukrcati kao mornara MacGowan, Pauk Prodreti, Jim Fearnley, Jem Mekan, Sekunda Težina , Supsidijarnost Znak, Strašan Drvo, Tobolac Priest
Shanghai MacGowan, Spider Breach, Jim Fearnley, Jem Mellow, Second Load, Subsidiary Chevron, Appalling Timber, Capsule Priest
... what happened to Shane in Serbian, is a sheer mystery. Fortunately, the back translation safely returned him to Asia.

Czech
Shanghai MacGowan, Pavouk Mezera, Jim Fearnley, Jem Vyzrálý, Druhý Břímě, Pomocný Ševiot, Děsivý Témbr, Kapsle Duchovní
Shanghai MacGowan, Spider Void, Them Fearnley, Jem Mellow, Second Load, Subsidiary Cheviot, Appalling Timbre, Capsule Spiritual
... Czech obviously knows that Pogues should be about music – hence the "timbre". And of course, the band IS "spiritual"!

Portuguese
Xangai MacGowan, Aranha Nulo, Lhes Fearnley, Jem Maduro, Segundo Carregar, Subsidiário Cheviot, Espantoso Madeira, Cápsula Espiritual
Shanghai MacGowan, Spider Blank, Them Fearnley, Jem Full-blown, Second Burden, Ancillary Cheviot, Amazing Lumber, Cap Spiritual
... Portuguese thinks positive: Note the change from "appaling" to "amazing"; Terry would appreciate.

German
Klauen MacGowan, Spinne Leer, Sie Fearnley, Jem Ausführlich - geschneuzt, Zweite Beladen, Untergeordnet Cheviot, Erstaunlich Gerümpel, Bedecken Geistlich
Claws MacGowan, Spider Empty, She Fearnley, Jem Detailed Blown, Second Load, Subaltern Cheviot, Astonishing Junk, Cover Spiritual
... German took Shane back from his exotic holidays and Terry the "junk" from his newly-gained piedestal.

Hungarian
Megkarmol MacGowan, Pók Üres, Ő Fearnley, Jem Részletes Kifulladt, Második Teher, Alárendelt Gyapjúszövet, Megdöbbentő Dzsunka, Fed Szellemi
Scratch MacGowan, Spinner Empty, She Is Fearnley, Jem Particular Blown, Second Lading, Subject to Cheviot, Astonishing Junk, Roofs Unworldly
...Hungarian seems to have difficulties with James’s gender identity...

Dutch
Schreef MacGowan, Spinner Nuchter, Zij Zit Fearnley, Jem Vies Amechtig , Tweede Vrachtgoed, Onderworpen aan Cheviot, Verwonderlijk Rommel, Overkapping Unworldly
Streak MacGowan, Spinner Temperate, They Sit Fearnley, Jem Unclean Winded, Second Slow Goods, Subject to Cheviot, Wonderful Trash, Roof Unworldly
... Dutch mercifully covered the delicate gender issue with mist.

Russian
Полоска MacGowan, Прядильщик Умеренный, Они Сидеть Fearnley, Jem Неопрятный Вьющееся Растение, Второй Груз Малой Скорости, При Условии Шевиот, Удивительный Отбросы, Крыша Духовный
Facia MacGowan, Spinner Abstinent, They Cover Fearnley, Jem Dilapidated Clambering Plant, Second Slow Goods, On-condition Cheviot, Amazing Burrow, House-top Clerkly
... Congratulations, Spider!!!

Do you really want The Pogues to travel around the world?

P.S. Hope you didn’t take this too seriously... though the translating machine obviously did.

You struck us down, Zuzana!!!

Haha, you actually put alot of time in this research, that's insane, but very good.

Hehehhe, that's insanely funny, especially for poor mr Woods and Chevron, not to mention Quiver Pop.

Thanks a lot for the laugh!

I just saw this. It's hilarious. This is the sort of stuff we do ourselves in dressing rooms, airports, buses etc!!!

Thanks very much. I've been in tears reading this. And I"ve sent it on to the rest of the band. If I get any responses, you can be sure I'll forward them to you. Once again, thanks.


James

JamesFearnley wrote:Thanks very much. I've been in tears reading this. And I"ve sent it on to the rest of the band. If I get any responses, you can be sure I'll forward them to you. Once again, thanks.


James

I'm sorry im lost, Why does it say in the band below his name?

Irishman wrote:

JamesFearnley wrote:Thanks very much ...

I'm sorry im lost, Why does it say in the band below his name?

Ummm. 'Cause he's James "The Mastro" Fearnley. And because he's in the band (when it <i>is</i> a band). Hence he's "In the band."

DzM wrote:

Irishman wrote:

JamesFearnley wrote:Thanks very much ...

I'm sorry im lost, Why does it say in the band below his name?

Ummm. 'Cause he's James "The Mastro" Fearnley. And because he's in the band (when it <i>is</i> a band). Hence he's "In the band."

OHHHHHH REALLY!! I figured he was just a fan with the name of one of there idols. People do that alot.

I want a autograph. lol

Irishman wrote:OHHHHHH REALLY!! I figured he was just a fan with the name of one of there idols. People do that alot.

Yeah, they do. I've never understood that.

DzM wrote:

Irishman wrote:OHHHHHH REALLY!! I figured he was just a fan with the name of one of there idols. People do that alot.

Yeah, they do. I've never understood that.

That would be cool if shane would come on here for a bit and speak to the fans.

Thanks – I’m very glad that you like it. The temptation to try out the brave new translating technology was irresistible and the result surpassed even my most daring expectations.

Zuzana wrote:Serbian
Opiti nekoga i nasilno ga ukrcati kao mornara MacGowan

"Get someone drunk and force them to become a sailor" MacGowan? Hilarious

Another handful of translation "pearls". This time humans are to blame, not machines. The Czech edition of A Drink With Shane MacGowan offers the Pogues discography, jazzed up with Czech translations of all the song titles. Here are some of the most shining gems:

Sea Shanty – Shack By the Sea
Dingle Regatta – Regatta In the Gorge (perhaps the translator enjoys rafting in canyons?)
The Old Main Drag – The Old Man’s Smoke (yes, really!)
Navigator – Seafarer (Irish navvies would surely feel honoured)
And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda – And the Band Played a Waltz For [a woman named] Matilda
Boat Train – Laid-on Train

And finally one title of a special interest to this website:
The Wake Of The Medusa – The Invocation of Medusa

Thanks very much. I've been in tears reading this. And I"ve sent it on to the rest of the band. If I get any responses, you can be sure I'll forward them to you. Once again, thanks.

Did they reply, if what did they say?