Borat Subsequent Moviefilm employs a linguistic cocktail, primarily featuring Hebrew disguised as Kazakh, alongside smatterings of genuine Kazakh, Russian, Romanian, and English. The film’s humorous effect relies heavily on the audience’s inability to distinguish between these languages, adding to the comedic confusion and cultural commentary.
Dissecting Borat’s Babel: The Languages at Play
Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat films are notorious for their improvisational nature and the creative linguistic liberties taken. While the character Borat hails from Kazakhstan, the language he predominantly speaks isn’t actually Kazakh. Instead, it’s Hebrew deliberately mangled and spoken with a thick accent, often accompanied by nonsensical phrases and invented words. This deliberate misrepresentation serves a crucial comedic purpose.
The film masterfully blends reality and fiction. While Borat’s primary language is this intentionally misleading “Kazakh,” there are instances of actual Kazakh, Russian, and Romanian spoken by supporting characters. English, of course, also features prominently, both in interactions with unsuspecting Americans and in Borat’s purposefully broken attempts to communicate. This linguistic medley contributes to the film’s disorienting and often uncomfortable humor, highlighting cultural misunderstandings and prejudices. The success of the linguistic deception hinges on the average viewer’s lack of familiarity with these languages, creating a fertile ground for comedic exploitation.
The use of Hebrew as a proxy for Kazakh sparked controversy, particularly within the Jewish community. While Baron Cohen himself is Jewish, some argued that it perpetuated negative stereotypes and potentially contributed to antisemitism. Others defended the film as a satirical commentary on ignorance and prejudice, arguing that the humor arises from the character’s outlandish behavior and distorted worldview, not from the Hebrew language itself.
Unraveling the FAQs: Your Guide to Borat’s Language Mishmash
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the linguistic landscape of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm:
What is Borat’s native language supposed to be?
Borat Sagdiyev is portrayed as being from Kazakhstan, making Kazakh his supposed native language. However, as previously discussed, the film utilizes a fictionalized version largely comprised of mangled Hebrew.
Is Borat speaking real Kazakh at any point in the film?
Yes, there are instances where genuine Kazakh is spoken, primarily by extras and supporting characters. These moments are often brief and add to the film’s sense of authenticity, albeit a heavily distorted one. Often, these are simple greetings or short phrases.
Why does Borat speak Hebrew instead of Kazakh?
The reasons are multifaceted. Hebrew, being relatively unfamiliar to most American viewers, serves as a readily available substitute that sounds convincingly “foreign.” Moreover, it allows Sacha Baron Cohen to ad-lib and improvise freely, drawing on his knowledge of Hebrew and creating comedic scenarios on the spot. Using a genuine, well-spoken Kazakh might have limited the comedic potential.
Does Borat ever speak Russian?
Similar to Kazakh, Russian does appear sporadically in the film. Kazakhstan has a significant Russian-speaking population, reflecting its historical ties to Russia. The presence of Russian further enhances the illusion of authenticity and reinforces the film’s portrayal of the region.
What is the purpose of Borat’s deliberately broken English?
Borat’s broken English serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it reinforces his “foreigner” persona, allowing him to get away with outrageous behavior under the guise of cultural misunderstanding. Secondly, it creates opportunities for comedic misinterpretations and awkward interactions, which are central to the film’s humor. Finally, it allows him to subtly critique American culture by exaggerating his bewilderment and highlighting societal absurdities.
What other languages are spoken in the film besides Hebrew, Kazakh, Russian, and English?
Romanian is another language present in the film, particularly during scenes filmed in Romania. The crew and some supporting actors speak Romanian, further contributing to the film’s diverse linguistic landscape.
Is it offensive to use Hebrew to represent Kazakh?
This is a complex and debated issue. Some view it as disrespectful and potentially antisemitic, as it trivializes the Hebrew language and potentially perpetuates negative stereotypes. Others argue that it’s satirical and falls under the umbrella of comedic license, with the humor stemming from Borat’s character rather than the language itself. Ultimately, the offensiveness is subjective and depends on individual interpretation.
How much of Borat’s dialogue is actually scripted?
A significant portion of Borat’s dialogue is improvisational. Sacha Baron Cohen is known for his improvisational skills and his ability to create spontaneous comedic moments. This improvisational approach allows him to react to the situations he encounters and to push the boundaries of what is acceptable.
How does the film’s use of language contribute to its satirical message?
The film’s manipulation and blending of languages play a critical role in highlighting the absurdity and ignorance surrounding cultural differences. It satirizes the tendency to lump unfamiliar cultures together and underscores the dangers of making assumptions based on superficial observations. By creating a fictionalized, linguistically ambiguous world, the film challenges viewers to confront their own biases and prejudices.
Did the Kazakh government approve of the film’s portrayal of their language and culture?
Initially, the Kazakh government was highly critical of the first Borat film, viewing it as a damaging and inaccurate portrayal of their country. However, in later years, they seemed to have softened their stance, recognizing the film’s unexpected impact on tourism and international awareness of Kazakhstan. In fact, they even used Borat’s “Very Nice!” catchphrase in tourism campaigns. However, with the second film, there was renewed concern, although there was no official stance taken by the government.
How did the actors involved in the film deal with the linguistic challenges?
Actors often relied on coaching and memorization, sometimes learning just enough of a language to deliver specific lines convincingly. Non-professional actors, often unaware of the satirical nature of the film, simply spoke their native languages, adding to the film’s chaotic authenticity. Sacha Baron Cohen’s fluency in Hebrew allowed him to manipulate the language to create the desired comedic effect.
Beyond Hebrew, are there any other languages Sacha Baron Cohen speaks fluently?
Beyond Hebrew, Sacha Baron Cohen is fluent in English and also speaks French. This linguistic ability has undoubtedly aided him in his various comedic roles and his ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts. His command of these languages allows him to create nuanced characters and to effectively engage with audiences from different backgrounds.