A fighter jet blazes through the sky, transforms into some odd shape, then back into a jet. This action is repeated once more. Then, on the final transformation, the fighter jet morphs into . . . you guessed it . . . a can of nuts! What??
Does that make any sense? Now, I understand the appeal of a transforming machine from the advertiser's perspective. The movie franchise, Transformers, and the predating cartoon series, have been hugely successful, especially recently. So, of course a good way to advertise your product is to have something transform into something else. I can see this working with automobiles, furniture, televisions and the like, but I never foresaw the application of such a strategy into the world of packaged kernels. During the commercial, images of Thai words were shooting across the screen and someone was speaking in Thai, so I have to imagine that some sort of explanation was given as to why a transforming armed aircraft would plausibly become a can of nuts. Such a weapon is not likely to have been developed by a country that has an understanding of how a war works or what one needs in the event of an armed conflict. I also wonder how many incredibly guileless spies wandered innocently into a Thai supermarket in hopes of capturing a can of nuts which turns into a fighter jet for their home country. I like to think that somewhere there is an former spy who has way too many cans of nuts because he thought he could lead his country to a heroic invasion of a neighboring country.
Or maybe I'm the only one who thinks it is weird to have a jet turn into a can of macadamias. Regardless, I hope to one day get on the BTS and follow along with that commercial and be able to understand it. "Ah, so these nuts have all the essential nutrients to keep your body finely tuned, much like a fighting plane. Now it makes sense." Until then, I am keeping my eyes open for these nuts, because I would love to have a fighter jet. And if that doesn't work out, at least I will be able to enjoy some almonds.
Language is amazing, both a barrier and a potential bridge to meeting people and, apparently, to fully enjoying a can of nuts. I think Thai has an easier structure, too (think: not like English.) That alphabet is a different story, though.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, have you seen any skin-lightening cream commercials yet? It was the most confusing part of SE Asia to me. One ad shows a tan girl (the goal of every American girl) running from shadow to shadow, trying to hide from the sun. A helpful graphic shows that your results could go from dark to lighter to ivory in just two weeks.
It's the exact inverse of our Western self-tanner industry, and completely counterintuitive for me, an ivory White girl.
Happy Sabbath from California! Enjoy your Thai weekend :)
Hi Ben! Isn't it crazy how desperately you come to want to understand a new language... even if it's something as mundane as a commercial? Erik and I have experienced that with Dutch the past few months. Sometimes I'm just dying to know what it says on an ad at the bus stop. When I translate it at home, it's something like, "Try soup tonight!"
ReplyDeleteI'm moving to the Republic of Georgia next Saturday to teach English for the rest of the year while Erik finishes his graduate degree in the Netherlands. With the limited knowledge I have about both Thai and Georgian (I come across them in linguistic endeavors sometimes) I now know the best way to learn them: Imagine everything that makes English, English. Structure, alphabet, sound system, vocabulary, word order... and forget it all. Voila! All we have to do is stop thinking in English, and we'll succeed. It can be done, but a little luck can't hurt. So break a leg!