December 28, 2007

Subtitles in Four Sheets

Clearly, whoever did the subtitles for Four Sheets to the Wind wasn't Native. When Cufe says "I'm enrolled Seminole," it's transcribed as "I'm Monroe Seminole." Any Native word, such as the slang chebon ("man"), is transcribed as [indecipherable]. Oops.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chebon is not slang, Chebon is boy.

Rob said...

So "chebon" is the official word for "boy" in some language? Which language?

Whatever, but using a Native word in the middle of an English sentence is arguably slang. Even if the word itself isn't slang.

Anonymous said...

Cebon is boy in the Creek language. Seminole is very similar but I'm not for sure if it means boy or not. I'm not Seminole, but it's that close.

My Creek cousins and I use the word Chebon all the time within English language sentences. I don't know if thats slang or not, nor do I care to argue about it. All I'm saying is that Chebon means boy in Creek for sure. Sterlin is both Creek and Seminole. You'd have to ask him about the context I'd imagine, but to me it seems a nobrainer.

Anonymous said...

You know, I read your posts from time to time with some interest, but honestly? I feel your tone is way out of line to my response. I wasn't trying to be rude to you, just stating a fact. Your condescending tone is ridiculous and out of line and frankly are you even Native?

If you aren't, who are YOU to tell ME what is Native slang or not? I know my languages to some extant, I know words and phrases. I know what is slang and not. I don't need you to tell me what is or isn't.

It seems as if you keep this digest to fight harmful Native stereotypes and fight for the voice of Native people.

I think perhaps you should look in the mirror a bit and remind yourself why you have this website, if this is indeed the case.

Rob said...

Check your own tone, friend. You're the one who questioned me, not vice versa.

Calling an adult "boy" is a slang usage even if the word chebon isn't slang in other contexts. That was my point and I'm sticking with it.

I have a long list of Native slang provided by Native correspondents. If I could remember which ones told me about chebon, you could argue it with them.

In other words, I'm not claiming anything except what Native people have told me. I'm reporting information, not inventing it.