Henry Rollins Language Lyrics

Language Lyrics

So!

Being a fan of the use of language

Being a fan of English, um

I got this amazing letter from a fella named Boris.

And I wanted to read this to you.

He's, he's from um,  the Czech Republic.

And I wanted to read you this quick letter by the cat because he's just
amazing.  And he wrote one of the greatest sentences I haveve ever read in my
life and I very much want to share it with you.  And I'm not trying to put the
guy down, and I'm not saying 'Oh he's dumb.'  He's just a cat, he's trying to
use English and it's not his language.  You know, but he's getting by.  Like,
how well do you get by in Czech?  Right.  Help?!?  You know, you say 'Check,
please!'  But you can't  get by in Czech.  This guy's struggling in English and
he's making it!  And he's, he is, he is avant.  He is, he's bebop!   Check this
guy out.



This is 8/22/98 12:16 PM, Los Angeles, California

Boris checks in from the Czech Republic with this burning missive:



'Hello Henry,

I'm sorry for my English, but I understand English very little, thank you for
your favour.  My name is Boris.  Have 24 years in right Czech Republic.  You
played in Czech 2x.  Both concerts, they were splendid.'



OK.  Check out this sentence.



'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo but small, fat, bald headed
technologist be insane. '



Let's milk it shall we?



'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo, but such small, fat, bald
headed techologist be insane.'



In translation, I think he took his roll of film to Rite Aid and had a bad Rite
Aid experience.  And you've all had that experience in Thrifty and Rite Aid
where time seems to slow down.  I think Boris got his film fucked up by the
technologist who must be WHOOOOOOO!, a bit insane.



I go on.



'I compilation all material for you and band.  I would like to read of your
some book, but don't publish in Czech language.  This book should be successful
in Czech Republic.'



Sure.



'I you for very much autograph or publicity material or answer in my letter. 
Thanks a lot for it.  I wish for you, band much power, health, and energy at
further way music.  Goodbye in future concert in Czech Republic.  Boris'



The communique from Boris makes me think of how great a feature-length movie
with this use of language would be.  Could you imagine an intense courtroom
drama with scowling, wildly gesticulating lawyers making a case for their
clients, kicking it like Boris?  Think of having the air flight attendent come
on with an "English as a second language" message.  'For making
landing immediate time incredibly, broken moving not now, stupid motor on
flaming.  I declaration emergency!'