3 chapters across the catalog
A linguistic analysis of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's use of the Maori term "Hui Hui" in a UN speech reveals an unintended meaning in Russian. While the term refers to a meeting in Maori, the phonetic equivalent in Russian is a vulgar slang term for male genitalia. This coincidence has led to various humorous interpretations of her diplomatic address.
John Kerry Harvard Kennedy School Speech, Russia Joke
Former Secretary of State John Kerry spoke at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, offering satirical advice to the graduating class. Kerry joked that to have a real impact on the current White House, students should buy Rosetta Stone and learn the Russian language.
McLaughlin Group, Ukraine Language Nuance
A clip from The McLaughlin Group shows pundits debating the history and linguistics of Ukraine and Crimea. The discussion highlights confusion among US commentators regarding Nikita Khrushchev's 1954 transfer of Crimea and the prevalence of the Russian language in the region.
