Language lyrics

Artist  : Henry Rollins 
Song : Language



 Send "Language" Ringtone to your Cell 

 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!'