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Animal Talk: Figure out the Strange Dialog from Venezuela

Animal Talk: Figure out the Strange Dialog from Venezuela

17
votes

The following is a fairly old joke that has been making the Internet circuits for a very long time. However, I received it again via email recently, and I figured that it would make a fun challenge for the Forum.

The goal is to try and translate the following dialog into meaningful English speech. You get extra points if you're able to incorporate (or at least explain) the animal components of this conversation within your translation.

Please: NO Venezuelans, and NO Googling. Other native Spanish speakers may provide hints, but if you know what this means, please don't spoil the fun for the Spanish students! grin

alt text

The premise is that, "Venezuela is the only country where you may converse by speaking only about animals. A perfectly normal dialog between friends might be as follows":

“¿Qué paso Chigüire?”

“Dime ratón ¿qué hay?”

“Aquí Engorilado, por una Rata que me está Zamureando a la jeva…”

“Mosca que te puede salir una Culebra de ahí….”

“¡Nah! Ese es un Becerro,le voy a meter un Burro e’ rolazos a ese Gallo.”

“Y como supiste”

“Ah, me lo dijo un Pajarito.”

“Bueno, nos vemos porque tengo un Raton bien fuerte y la Cuaima me esta esperando………..¡¡¡¡¡¡ Chao Pesca’o…”!!!!

11909 views
updated Nov 20, 2011
edited by Gekkosan
posted by Gekkosan
Wow - I had totally forgotten about the chiguires...We used to have a bean and rice dish called "chiguirre con perro atrás. Do you know it? - mountaingirl123, Nov 14, 2011
No, Mountain, I have never heard of that particular dish. Sounds interesting. :-) - Gekkosan, Nov 14, 2011
Thank you for posting this, Gekko! I really enjoy learning slang from different places :) - --Jen--, Nov 18, 2011

20 Answers

5
votes

Well I thought I'd have a go and translate it to Kiwi slang let me know if you need a translation smile

“¿Qué paso Chigüire?” What's up bro'?

“Dime ratón ¿qué hay?” Hey bro' what's the prob'?

“Aquí Engorilado, por una Rata que me está Zamureando a la jeva…” Ah I'm slacked off, some dog is sniffing around my wahine (girl).

“Mosca que te puede salir una Culebra de ahí….” Mongrel, I hope you can take him.

“¡Nah! Ese es un Becerro,le voy a meter un Burro e’ rolazos a ese Gallo.” Nah he's an egg, I'll kick that wimp's sorry butt.

“Y como supiste” How did you suss him out?

“Ah, me lo dijo un Pajarito.” Oh, a little bird told me.

“Bueno, nos vemos porque tengo un Raton bien fuerte y la Cuaima me esta esperando………..¡¡¡¡¡¡ Chao Pesca’o…”!!!! Anyway I'll sort it later, I'm smashed and my old lady's waiting for me. Later dude.

updated Nov 20, 2011
edited by Kiwi-Girl
posted by Kiwi-Girl
Uncannily good. I wonder how you figured out some of the lines that have completely evaded other participants! :-D Lines 4 and 5 are a bit off, though. - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
I'm very impressed Kiwi. - annierats, Nov 15, 2011
I have to admit that I had a little help with un Raton in the last line, not that I asked for this thread but I did learn it previously from a Venezuelan :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 15, 2011
While Jen and Annierats both also got fairly close in the end, I believe that Kiwi got closer to the spirit of the original dialog, giving it a delightful NZ twist. Please read my "Explanation" post for a full translation and explanation of the dialog. - Gekkosan, Nov 19, 2011
guau! ¡qué sorpresa! ¡qué honor! je je gracias Gek :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 19, 2011
Bien hecho! - --Mariana--, Nov 20, 2011
You were formidable, kiwi! - annierats, Nov 20, 2011
Enhorabuena! :) - bomberapolaca, Nov 20, 2011
7
votes

“What's up, dude?”

“Tell me, Rat, what's new?”

“I'm a bit blown up because some Rat hassling me.”

“What's bothering you can leave you like a snake from over there….”

“No! He's just a little kid, I'm going to give him a donkey's (kick in the a$$) to that show off.”

“How'd you find out?”

“Oh, a little birdie (or gossip) told me.”

“Well, we'll see because I have a strong Rat and the xxx are waiting for me....Later, dude (fish)!

updated Nov 15, 2011
posted by --Mariana--
That's a great try, Mariana! Now, I see too many rats there. Can you guess what some of them mean? Line 4 is cold, and the last one is also off, but the rest is quite good. :-) - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
5
votes

Hi Gekko

But if you haven't heard it before it might just as well be greek. About the only piece that I have understood because it is a saying from the east end of London is,

A little bird told me.

updated Nov 17, 2011
posted by Eddy
Ditto :) - ian-hill, Nov 15, 2011
I know it. That's how *I* feel about some of Heidita's Mystery threads! :-D But your idea is already a good start. Care to guess something else? Look at Cogumela´s post and see if you can figure something else out... - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
5
votes

What's up, dog?

You tell me dude, what's new?

Just going a little ape-sh** over here on account of some low-life rat buzzing around tryin' to swoop down on my leftovers (my chick).

That little fly keeps buzzing around he's gonna get bit/bring out the snake in you.

Nah, he's just a young pup, I'm gonna give that little show off a swift kick in the @** and send him on his way

How did you find out?

Oh, a little bird told me.

Well, I'll see you later because I've got a fine little chick on the side and my old-lady is at home waiting and ready to bite my head off. Later alligator!!!!

updated Nov 15, 2011
edited by Izanoni1
posted by Izanoni1
Hilarious! This is very good, and like Mariana's, got the general gist of the exchange. Line 4 is a bit off, as well as the first part of the last line. No one is getting the right meaning for "Becerro" in this context, though. :-D - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
Could Becerro mean something like "He's like a lamb for the slaughter" - Izanoni1, Nov 15, 2011
No, nothing like that. - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
5
votes

Codifico la información que conozco porque estropearía el juego.

Jugaré solo a averiguar lo que me resulta chino mandarín.


“¿Qué pasó, tío?”

“Dime chaval ¿qué hay?”

“Aquí cabreao, por un jetas que me está intentando birlar a la novia”

“Cuidao, que te la puede levantar….”

“¡Nah! Ese es un pringao,le voy a meter un par de guantazos a ese chulo.”

“¿Y cómo te enteraste?”

“Ah, *****************”

“Bueno, nos vemos porque tengo un catarro bien fuerte y mi cama me esta esperando………..¡¡¡¡¡¡ ***************”!!!!

updated Nov 15, 2011
edited by cogumela
posted by cogumela
No voy a decir nada concreto, para no estropear el juego para los estudiantes. Algunos de los conceptos están bien y otros no tanto. :-) - Gekkosan, Nov 14, 2011
Ok, a hint for those who know a bit of Spanish slang. The first six lines are definitely pointers in the right direction. - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
4
votes

"What's up, dude?"

"Tell me, kid, what's up?

"I'm annoyed, this tight wad is trying to steal my wife."

"Watch it, you could be opening a can of worms with that."

"Nah! The guy is just a little squirt, I'm gonna kick that little upstart like a donkey and hit him hard."

"How did you find out?"

"A little birdie told me."

"Well, I have to go, I have a big problem of my own and my cure is waiting for me (cuaime-cuídame?) See ya later, alligator."

confused This is really, really hard!

updated Jan 6, 2012
posted by --Jen--
"Tightwad"? That's unexpected. :) How do you figure that? Very good on the 4th line. Off on the interpretation of "Becerro" and on the next to last line. Good job! - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
jeje, I don't know, I've heard "rata" used for a stingy person before, but I had no idea how that fit in here so I just put it in so there was something there :P - --Jen--, Nov 15, 2011
Ok. Think more in terms of whether rats are perceived as being "nice" or "not so good" animals. ;-) - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
I was debating with putting something like "some vermin is trying to steal my wife" but that seemed to easy :P - --Jen--, Nov 15, 2011
That would actually be closer. Not exact, but definitely closer. :) - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
4
votes

"What's up, dude?"

"Hey, what's up?

"I'm a bit annoyed, some piece of scum is trying to steal my girl."

"Watch it, you could be opening a can of worms with that."

"Nah! The guy is just an imbecile, I'm gonna kick his butt."

"How did you find out?"

"A little birdie told me."

"Well, I have to go, I have a massive hangover and my bed is waiting. See ya later, alligator."

updated Jan 6, 2012
posted by --Jen--
This is very good! Theres just one detail: What's a "Cuaima"? :-) It is NOT the bed!! :-D - Gekkosan, Nov 18, 2011
Kiwi said 'old lady' and you didn't say that it was wrong. Maybe wife? - bomberapolaca, Nov 19, 2011
Oh, I thought it sounded like cama, that's how I arrived at it. - annierats, Nov 19, 2011
Yes, , I go with the polacka: old woman, i.e. wife? - annierats, Nov 19, 2011
4
votes

The Mosca, I think it's one of those horrid flies that crawl under the tails of animals, but I don't quite understand what they are saying..

Becerro: a zero? a real nought, useless? Idiot?

I'll have a go at the last bit:

We've got to go beacause I have taken my viagra ( well, hard bit, you know?) and the bed is waiting. See you later, alligator ( fish, cod..)

Improvement? with help from gekkosan: I've got a throbbing head ( hangover) and the bed is waiting? ?

Don't show this to any politically correct persons. red face

updated Nov 17, 2011
edited by annierats
posted by annierats
A somewhat outlandish guess, but no. This guy probably does not feel like going to bed for that particular reason. - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
Oh well, if he's had too much to drink, we know what happens, nothing.. - annierats, Nov 15, 2011
Well... so what do you say? Has he had too much to drink, or what? :) You are moving closer to the right track with your interpretation of "becerro", by the way. - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
OH thank you. Idiot? - annierats, Nov 15, 2011
Wait, are you adding new stuff to the top of your post? That's very confusing! Moscas are indeed flies. There's a particularity to these animals that anyone who has ever tried to catch one knows about. - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
So given all that you have learned or figured out already, and reviewing all the other posts, feel like giving it a new try? - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
4
votes

What happened, dude?

Tell me, what's going on?

Well, I am pissed off due with a chick who is informing on me to the boss

Damn it, you had better watch out since you may end up with big problems...

No,it is a piece of cake, I am going to knock out this guy.

Well, how can you know.

Well, a little bird (another girl??) told me.

Right, see you around, I had better go because of this girl, a real pin up model, I tall ya, and, what is more, ????? is awaiting me. See you around, man about town!

All in all, I have no idea whatsoever how to get the gist of it, let alone translate confused

updated Nov 17, 2011
edited by bomberapolaca
posted by bomberapolaca
Line 3 is very creative, but not right. Line 4 has the right idea, but the language is a bit stronger than the original. I'm afraid that it goes a bit downhill from there. :-) A very brave attempt, nevertheless! - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
He he, I thought so ;) Thanks for your comments, G. - bomberapolaca, Nov 16, 2011
4
votes

Aw, come on! No one else is willing to give this one a try? It's a bit tricky, yes, but it's also very real. This is the sort of thing you may actually hear in a Latin American street, and people understand what each other means!

updated Nov 16, 2011
posted by Gekkosan
I would play but honestly, it's over my head! - MLucie, Nov 15, 2011
Heh-heh - I think it's a bit less difficult that some of Heidita's Mystery threads! :) - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011
Lol. That is probably true! - MLucie, Nov 15, 2011
Do they ever have any answers? I never see a final soution. - annierats, Nov 16, 2011
At this point, all the lines have been correctly translated in the different posts. All we need now is for someone to put it all together! - Gekkosan, Nov 16, 2011
3
votes

Explanation

“¿Qué paso Chigüire?”

What's up dude, what's up bro? Chigüire is the Venezuelan term for Capibara, the largest rodent in the world. It's a common animal in the Venezuelan plains, where it is commonly eaten. No particular reason why it's used here as "dude". Just a funny animal name.

“Dime ratón ¿qué hay?”

Yo Bro, what's up? (The use of "Ratón" - mouse- here is a variation of "Rata" - rat. While "rat" can be sometimes be used like "SOB" when deserved, it does not necessarily have to be quite so strong when used among buddies. In order to soften it even more, "ratón" may be used instead.)

“Aquí Engorilado, por una Rata que me está Zamureando a la jeva…”

Most everyone got this one right. Engorilado means acting like a gorilla: enraged, furious, because someone (some SOB in this case) is sniffing around his girlfriend. "Zamurear" comes from "Zamuro", which is the Venezuelan word for vulture.

“Mosca que te puede salir una Culebra de ahí….”

Mosca means "beware", "be alert". Flies are usually tricky to catch, and will fly away quickly if you get too close. So to be "mosca" is to be alert to one's surroundings, like a fly.

Culebra is a snake, so to have a "snake come out of there" means that something bad could happen, something dangerous if this other guy is confronted.

“¡Nah! Ese es un Becerro,le voy a meter un Burro e’ rolazos a ese Gallo.”

Becerro, in this context, means an idiot. Meter un burro e' rolazos (I used rolazos instead of a coarser word originally used), is a colorful way to say "beat the heck out of..."

Ese Gallo is easy enough to figure out: that cockerel, that cocky guy. So, that guy is an idiot. I'll beat the heck out of that cocky boy.

“Y como supiste”

“Ah, me lo dijo un Pajarito.”

Everyone got that one right. It translates directly into English.

“Bueno, nos vemos porque tengo un Raton bien fuerte y la Cuaima me esta esperando………..¡¡¡¡¡¡ Chao Pesca’o…”!!!!

In this context, as Kiwi correctly translated, "ratón" is a very Venezuelan word to mean a hangover.

And at last, the mystery word that nobody could figure out: Cuaima.

Cuaima is a Venezuelan word for "snake", and it is commonly used to refer to two types of women. Used in a derogatory way, "cuaima" means the same a "viper" in English: a dangerious, evil, poisonous woman.

But more recently, women have adopted the moniker to mean a strong, wilful, fierce woman.

In any event, this guy needs to leave, because he's got a fierce hangover, and the missus (clearly not a lady to be trifled with or annoyed with impunity) is waiting for him.

Chao pescao was also correctly identified as an exact equivalent to "see you later, alligator".

My thanks to all who participated, and for the many creative and interesting guesses!

updated Nov 20, 2011
edited by Gekkosan
posted by Gekkosan
This was awesome fun. Even though W A Y over my head, so I didn't participate, I eagerly followed every post -- especially poor Annie's struggles. You've got my complete sympathy and admiration, Girl!! - territurtle, Nov 19, 2011
nice, gracias :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 19, 2011
Oh thank you Lizard for actually putting up the answer. I had no idea it was a vulture! - annierats, Nov 20, 2011
Cheers, Turtle! - annierats, Nov 20, 2011
3
votes

Last Chance!

I'm offering a last chance for someone to take the Grand Prize by answering this question in full.

As I stated in my last few comments, each one of the lines of this strange and colorful dialog have been correctly translated in one or several of the answers. However, nobody has yet offered a single answer with all the correct lines in it. If no one posts the full answer by tomorrow, I'll post the translation myself. smile

updated Nov 19, 2011
posted by Gekkosan
Please do, or offer a bottle of Rioja. The answer could be posted in Catalan, it would be easier.. - annierats, Nov 18, 2011
I'm sorry to be flagging, but I seem unlikely to ever get to Venezuela, so, you see, I may be wasting my time totally. - annierats, Nov 18, 2011
obviously, if I ever get there, I'm sure it will be incredibly useful and I'll call the taxi drivers Engorillados? - annierats, Nov 18, 2011
You may not go to Venezuela, but don't be surprised in Venezuela goes to you. And then what will you do? ;-) - Gekkosan, Nov 18, 2011
Good idea Annie! What about el Coto?! ;) Now, I am planning to Argentina next year so I will drop by to Venezuela ;) However far that is ;P - bomberapolaca, Nov 18, 2011
Oh bombera, brilliant, I think I would prefer Argentina, the polo players, you know? Better than ratas! - annierats, Nov 18, 2011
And Lizard, I have, occassionally a teacher from Venezuelabut she doen't speak like this at all. Not to me anyway, I'm paying. - annierats, Nov 18, 2011
@Annie: I don't see what problem you may have with ratas, seeing as you incorporte them readily enough in your name! But you go ahead and show this dialog to your teacher, and you'll see that she knows *exactly* what it means! - Gekkosan, Nov 18, 2011
Well, I had a go :P. It's going to be embarrassing when I've still got it wrong after all these clues lol. Hey-ho :D - --Jen--, Nov 18, 2011
The rat name is entirely due to having a husband of that name..It has caused my children untold grief. - annierats, Nov 19, 2011
There you go. You're married to one, so you shouldn't go around dissin' the poor critters. :-) - Gekkosan, Nov 19, 2011
3
votes

¿Qué paso Chigüire?” What's going on, mate?

“Dime ratón ¿qué hay?”
What's up then, Ratty?

“Aquí Engorilado, por una Rata que me está Zamureando a la jeva…

I'm in a furious mood ( like a gorilla) because a right **** is pestering my girl.

“Mosca que te puede salir una Culebra de ahí….”
Fly, take care, you could get stung. Alternative The Mozzies (police) could swat you.

“¡Nah! Ese es un Becerro,le voy a meter un Burro e’ rolazos a ese Gallo.”

UH, he's just a useless prat, I'll give the young cockerel a right kick up his ass.

“Y como supiste”

How did you cotton on?

“Ah, me lo dijo un Pajarito.”

Oh, a little birdie told me.

“Bueno, nos vemos porque tengo un Raton bien fuerte y la Cuaima me esta esperando………..¡¡¡¡¡¡ Chao Pesca’o…

OK, See you later alligator, I'm going to bed now , I've got a terrible hangover. ' In a little while, crocodilel'

updated Nov 18, 2011
posted by annierats
After this effort I give up, I've borrowed freely from the other answers. Kind sir Gekkosan, please tell us what it means! - annierats, Nov 16, 2011
Heh-heh. That's getting a lot closer, good job! The line about Engorilado could be tweaked a bit, as well as the line about Becerro. The Mosca line is wrong. The rest is not bad at all! :-) - Gekkosan, Nov 16, 2011
Drat, I was so proud when I thought mosca-mosquito-mozzie-rozzie = police! - annierats, Nov 16, 2011
3
votes

UPDATE

I believe that by now, people have provided through the different post most of the answers needed to complete the puzzle. We still need an accurate interpretation for the beginning of lines 4 and 5 of the original, but we're getting there!

updated Nov 17, 2011
posted by Gekkosan
3
votes

Chico...lo del ratón...jeje, divertido, se ve que lo usan para to'

En España lo del ratón...ni idea.

Hay los que me llaman a mi ratoncitowink..te conste que los que menos, jeje, los que más: RATA! raspberry

updated Nov 15, 2011
posted by 00494d19
¡ Ja, ja, ja! ¡Muy ingenioso, Heidita! :) - Gekkosan, Nov 15, 2011