When learning a new language, speakers often experience a series of somewhat comical mishaps. This is especially common when it comes to jokes. What is funny in one culture may not be in another, or the gag may just not translate well.
One example is the traditional American “Knock, knock” joke.
Foreground Dance (based out of Columbus, Ohio) has put together a piece based around this concept. “In Other Words” is choreographed and danced by Noelle Chun and Yu Xiao. The piece was recently shown as part of an evening titled “Dialogues in Dance,” co-produced by MamLuft&Co. Dance and Demetrius Klein Dance Company.
The two dancers start off sitting on a bench, one trying to tell a knock knock joke to the other, who does not seem to be a native English-speaker. At first it seems to be going fine. The first joke gets a giggle from its recipient. She seems happy to have played her part well, and the joke-teller moves on to another.
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Banana.
(Sighs) Banana who?
The dialogue continues in the matter, speeding up as both women seem to grow increasingly frustrated with their inability to convey their point or move on to the end of the joke. Finally, the joke-teller gets to the punch line.
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Orange.
Orange, who?
Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?
It seems clear the recipient does not comprehend what just happened, and is uncomfortable with the situation. This is when the bulk of the movement begins.
The dance takes on a whimsical feel, muck akin to being out of one’s element, trying to navigate the uncharted waters of a new language. The spinning motions seemed to relate well to the feeling of spinning out of control as the dancers struggle to understand one another despite their linguistic differences. The dancers share one another’s weight, and often use it to displace the other person from their position on the bench or their location on stage.
Spoken word continues through the dance, which culminates in simultaneous renditions of “Frere Jacques” in French and Mandarin. The dancers voices seem to have a more frantic tone than when the piece began, as they become exhausted by their frustration.
Following the performance, there was time for the audience to provide feedback to the artists and choreographers. One audience member noted, there often seems to be a desire to be a good conversationalist, to make the discussion worthwhile for the other person or people involved. This feeling permeates the conversation even if it means one person glosses over how much they do not understand.
Have you ever felt that way in a conversation?