Bridget Mitchell Contrastive Text Analysis Winter 2010

Lady GaGa- Bad Romance: Translation Guide

Time English Lyrics Translation Notes 0:00-0:30 Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh- Editing: Actress portrays an implied Lady GaGa oh-oh-oh-oh-oh! and opens up a Fairytale book to set up the Caught in a bad ro- scene. Page opens to Snow White. We felt that mance the implication of Lady GaGa reading would add a creative twist to our translation and allow us to reference the original video, while still deviating from it and creating a dark Disney-esque video. Lexical Decision: Falling/ whole body into something-to represent the “Oh’s”. Use of Jail-like sign for caught. We also added the movement to involve the general flow of the actual song.

0:30-0:46 Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Theme: Wanting someone so much that we’ve Roma-roma-mamaa! picture actually physically wanted their heart in Ga-ga-ooh-la-la! our chest. Want your bad ro- Signing Rhyme: The handshape is consistent mance throughout this motif and also processes a rhythm. Lexical decisions: “Rah-rah”-The English here has no exact meaning so we created a rhyming motif that further supports the theme of the song.

0:46- 1:03 I want your ugly Lexical Decision: Very directional showing a I want your disease relationship with this “person” and wanted their I want your everything attributes to became a part of the signer. As long as it's free Editing: Snow White signs entire first verse. I want your love. Love Each signing signs a verse completely to show love love I want your unity between the verses so they stand apart love from the chorus and bridge of the song. Signing Rhyme: The closing line in the verse is repeated through in other verses to tie them to- gether in sync.

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Time English Lyrics Translation Notes 1:03-1:19 I want your drama Lexical choice: signed a thought bubble to rep- The touch of your resent ‘Imagine’ which gave a variety of ‘want’ hand instead of using the same signs for ‘want’ all the I want your leather- time. studded kiss in the Editing: Thought bubble provided a way to be sand creative with showcase the information without I want your love the limitations of linear English. The desire and Love-love-love the things that were desired could be shown at I want your love once with the use of media and editing tactics. We chose Ariel purposefully because of the sand reference in the actual lyrics. Signing Rhyme: The closing line in the verse is repeated through in other verses to tie them to- gether in sync.

1:19-1:27 You know that I want Lexical Decision: ‘I-inform-you’ versus ‘know you that’ to convey conceptually that “I’m letting you And you know that I know” need you Signing Rhyme: handedness.. Switching which I want it bad, your bad hands were used for each statement which pro- romance duced a handedness rhyme. Handshapes and sign locations were also important in rhyme scheme as well. ’Need’ and ‘addicted’ share the same handshape, while ‘addicted’ and ‘crave- for’ share the same location parameter.

1:27- 2:06 I want your love and Chorus: a repeated motif throughout the song. I want your revenge Rhyme: the rhythm plays a crucial role … we You and me could went for a conceptual write a bad romance approach of the polar aspects of the relationship. (Oh-oh-oh--oh-oh!) From kissing to one –upping each other and re- I want your love and maining connected throughout all of it. The hand All your lovers' re- shape choice was a restricted handshape for the venge most part. You and me could Theme: The directional connection/relationship write a bad romance sign is used to end the chorus motif.

Oh-oh-oh-oh- Caught in a bad Previously introduced sequences are repeated.

Rah-rah Roma-roma- mamaa! Ga-ga-ooh-la-la! Want your bad romance

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Time English Lyrics Translation Notes 2:06-2:23 I want your horror Lexical Decision: conceptual theme verses lit- I want your design eral words. We utilized our signing space in rela- 'Cause you're a tion to this person the signer is referring to to fur- criminal ther exude that the signer wants everything that As long as your mine person is about… no matter what. It should read I want your love as : I can see inside all of those horrifying parts of (Love-love-love I want you, and yet Im still interested in wanting to be your love-uuhh) with you” The shackles would represent feeling so strongly that its as if there is no choice in the matter. Editing: Belle’s Character was purposefully cho- sen to refer to the fact that in the Disney version of the movie, Belle is locked away in a bedroom at the beast’s castle. Our use of Disney Charac- ter’s was to mimic Lady GaGa’s Alfred Hitchcock film references. We tried to apply the references thoughtfully in our translation. Signing Rhyme: The closing line in the verse is repeated through in other verses to tie them to- gether in sync.

2:23-2:39 I want your psycho Lexical Decesion: We wanted to keep a subtle Your vertigo stick sexual innuendo in here, without using graphic Want you in my rear classifiers. We chose a telescope sign to repre- window sent a phallic symbol and an opening window baby your sick with hands beckoning to represent the accep- I want your love tance and desire for ‘Entry’. Love-love-love Signing Rhyme: The closing line in the verse is I want your love repeated through in other verses to tie them to- gether in sync. *Nota Bene: It was difficult to deal with the sex- ual innuendos in the song, due to the fact that we were students of a Catholic University and had a wish to graduate! We had to keep this in mind when creating our translation.

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Time English Lyrics Translation Notes 2:39-3:28 You know that I want Lexical Decision: I inform you versus know that. you To convey conceptually that “ I’m letting you And you know that I know” need you Signing Rhyme: handedness.. Switching which I want it bad, bad ro- hands were used for each stament which pro- mance duced a handedness rhyme. Handshapes and sign locations were also important in rhyme I want your love and scheme as well.’need’ and ‘addicted’ share the I want your revenge same handshape, while ‘addicted’ and ‘crave for’ You and me could share the same location parameter. write a bad romance Chorus: a repeated motif throughout the song. Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh- Rhyme: the rhythm plays a crucial role. We went oh-oh-oh-oh-oh! for a conceptual approach of the polar aspects of Caught in a bad the relationship. From kissing, to one –upping each other and remaining connected throughout Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! all of it. The hand shape choice was a restricted Roma-roma-mamaa! handshape for the most part. Ga-ga-ooh-la-la! Want your bad ro- mance Lexical Decision: Falling/ whole body into something-to represent the Oh’s. Use of Jail-like sign for ‘caught’. We also added the movement to involve the general flow of the actual song.

Theme: wanting someone so much that we’ve picture actually physically wanted their heart in our chest. Signing Rhyme: the handshape is consistent throughout this motif and also processes a rhythm. Lexical Decisions: The Eng here has no exact meaning so we created a rhyming motif that fur- ther supports the theme of the song.

*All of these sequences have been introduced previously.

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Time English Lyrics Translation Notes 3:28-3:44 Walk, walk fashion Lexical Decision: High heels classifier used for baby “walk, walk”. Clothes to represent fashion. Lexical Work it sequence is supposed to represent the presenta- Move that bitch crazy. tion of the character as in saying “I have arrived”. Walk, walk fashion Sign Rhyme: Handedness rhyme sequence is baby presented here as right hand, left hand both Work it hands, right hand, left hand, both hands. Aside I'm a free bitch, baby from the initial ‘high heels’ sign, the rest of this segment is all open hand ‘5 CL’ handshape. Editing: Ariel’s characters is presented here with legs to further support the “walk, walk” lyrics. A layered opaque frame of Ariel kicked closed the treasure chest of human items was shown at the time the lyrics say “cuz I’m a free bitch baby” to signify that she was done with her old self. She was presenting herself in a new way to entice who she is signing to. 3:44-3:58 I want your love and Chorus Variation: Similar to Standard Chorus at I want your revenge first, but then French Signs are incorporated to I want your love I don't correspond to the French that is spoken. wanna be friends The French signs used here are ‘Lover’s, Blame, Je veux ton amour Et and Want’. je veux ta revanche Editing: Belle’s Character is used during this por- J'veux ton amour tion because in the Disney movie, Belle is from France.

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Time English Lyrics Translation Notes 3:58-5:08 I don't wanna be Lexical Decision: Disconnect sign is negated to friends show that the signer does not want to be apart Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh! but instead would rather be connected. I don't wanna be Editing: A smaller opaque frame of another Ariel friends character signing the falling motion/Jail-like signs (Caught in a bad ro- to show the background vocals that happen here mance) as “oh…etc Caught in a bad romance” . Want your bad ro- mance! The remainder of the song is a repetition of pre- viously introduced sequences. I want your love and I want your revenge You and me could Editing: The scene ends with the Snow White write a bad romance Character again, just as it began, so that there is Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh! the sense of ending on a visual ‘tonic note’. A shaky effect is added to the last shot to reflect the odd outro music. Oh- oooh- (Caught in a bad ro- Implied GaGa actress closes the fairytale book. mance) Want your bad ro- mance

Rah-rah- Roma-maa Ga-ga-ooh-la-la! Want your bad ro- mance

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Lady Gaga - Bad Romance Translation Glossed

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh I want your love Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Love love love Caught in a bad romance I want your love

“V” BENT HANDSHAPE (Moves in a circular YOUR UGLY CRAVE motion) DISEASE (Hands spread on face and chest) IMMERSE/FALL-INTO ALL INCORPORATE-INTO- SIGNER (ALL- PRISON (Moves from right to left across the sweeping like motion) signer’s face) MINE Ra Ra-ah-ah-ah Roma Roma-ma YOUR LOVE WANT WANT YOUR LOVE GaGa Oh la-la I want you drama Want your bad romance The touch of your hand I want your leather studded kiss in the sand “5”Handshape - 5-CL (claw-like shape) (Domi- I want your love nant hand is placed sideways simulates opening Love love love another persons’ chest) I want your love

5-CL (Passive hand thrusts into “chest” pulls out IMAGINE (A growing “thought bubble” above pulsating heart) signer’s head. Eye gaze is upward) (An unidentified hand touches signer’s face fol- (Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) lowed by the unidentified hands caressing signer’s back) 5-CL (Dominant hand takes the “pulsating heart” from Passive hand and moves hand to the right) YOUR LOVE WANT WANT YOUR LOVE

(Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) You know that I want you And you know that I need you 5-CL (Passive hand is placed sideways on signer’s chest. Indicating opening of signer’s own I want it bad chest) A bad romance

5-CL (Dominant hand places “pulsating heart” into I-INFORM-YOU WANT (Signer uses dominant signer’s chest) hand)

5-CL (Passive hand closes over “pulsating heart” I-INFORM-YOU NEED (Signer uses passive acts as a door slamming) hand)

(Both hands move outward in a pumping motion) ADDICT CRAVE CONNECT/RELATIONSHIP

I want your ugly I want your love and I want your disease I want your revenge I want your everything You and me could write a bad romance As long as it’s free I want your love and All your lover’s revenge

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You and me could write a bad romance 5-CL (Passive hand closes over “pulsating heart” KISS-ON-CHEEK (using “U” handshape with acts as a door slamming) dominant hand) (Both hands move outward in a pumping motion) I-ONE-UP-YOU (Dominant hand remains station- ary) I want your horror YOU-ONE-UP-ME (Passive hand remains sta- I want your design tionary) ‘Cuz you’re a criminal As long as you’re mine (Wrists turn to have palms facing one another I want your love simultaneously handshapes changes to “1”. Hands gradually move toward one another) Love love love I want your love CONNECT/RELATIONSHIP FIGURE (Hands trace outline of imaginary body) Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh 2 5-CL- PRY-OPEN-CHEST (Both hands are sideways simulating opening chest on imaginary Caught in a bad romance person)

“V” BENT HANDSHAPE (Moves in a circular 5-CL (Dominant hand moves to chin. Passive motion) hand remains stationary acting as a marker. Look of shock appears on signer’s face) IMMERSE/FALL-INTO (NMS- look of intrigue flashes across signer’s PRISON (Moves from right to left across the face) signer’s face) SOUL/SPIRIT (Pulled from “imaginary” chest) Ra Ra-ah-ah-ah Roma Roma-ma 5-CL (Dominant hand grabs opposite wrist) GaGa Oh la-la 5-CL (Passive hand grabs opposite wrist. This Want your bad romance action simulates shackles or handcuffs)

5-CL (Dominant hand is placed sideways simu- YOUR LOVE WANT WANT YOUR LOVE lates opening another persons’ chest)

5-CL (Passive hand thrusts into “chest” pulls out I want your psycho pulsating heart) Your vertigo shtick Want you in my rear window (Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) Baby you’re sick I want your love 5-CL (Dominant hand takes the “pulsating heart” Love love love from Passive hand and moves hand to the right) I want your love (Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) 2 -“C” TELESCOPE 5-CL (Passive hand is placed sideways on signer’s chest. Indicating opening of signer’s own 2 – “S” (opens to) 2 – “C” (acts as a window) chest) “1” (bents to) “X” (motions to other person to 5-CL (Dominant hand places “pulsating heart” into come closer) signer’s chest) PSYCHO

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Oh la-la SICK Want your bad romance

You know that I want you (’Cuz I’m a free bitch 5-CL (Dominant hand is placed sideways simu- baby) lates opening another persons’ chest) And you know that I need you I want it bad romance 5-CL (Passive hand thrusts into “chest” pulls out Your bad romance pulsating heart)

I-INFORM-YOU WANT (Signer uses dominant (Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) hand) 5-CL (Dominant hand takes the “pulsating heart” I-INFORM-YOU NEED (Signer uses passive from Passive hand and moves hand to the right) hand) (Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) ADDICT CRAVE CONNECT/RELATIONSHIP 5-CL (Passive hand is placed sideways on I want your love and signer’s chest. Indicating opening of signer’s own I want your revenge chest) You and me could write a bad romance I want your love and 5-CL (Dominant hand places “pulsating heart” into signer’s chest) All your lover’s revenge You and me could write a bad romance 5-CL (Passive hand closes over “pulsating heart” acts as a door slamming) KISS-ON-CHEEK (using “U” handshape with dominant hand) (Both hands move outward in a pumping motion)

I-ONE-UP-YOU (Dominant hand remains station- Walk walk fashion baby work it ary) Move that bitch c-razy YOU-ONE-UP-ME (Passive hand remains sta- Walk walk fashion baby work it tionary) Move that bitch c-razy Walk walk passion baby work it (Wrists turn to have palms facing one another I’m a free bitch baby simultaneously handshapes changes to “1”. Hands gradually move toward one another) HIGH HEEL- (“I” handshape simulates walking)

CONNECT/RELATIONSHIP CLOTHES++

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (Alternating right hand then left hand pushing Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh “imaginary” things aside) Caught in a bad romance (Ends in a pose where both 5-CL are up in the air) “V” BENT HANDSHAPE (Moves in a circular motion) (Repeats 3 times) IMMERSE/FALL-INTO I want your love PRISON (Moves from right to left across the And I want your revenge signer’s face) I want your love I don’t wanna be friends Ra ra-ah-ah-ah Roma roma-ma KISS-ON-CHEEK (using “U” handshape with GaGa dominant hand)

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IMMERSE/FALL-INTO I-ONE-UP-YOU (Dominant hand remains station- ary) PRISON (Moves from right to left across the signer’s face) YOU-ONE-UP-ME (Passive hand remains sta- tionary) Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh! DISCONNECT Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh! Caught in a bad romance Je veux ton amour Et je veux ta revenge “V” BENT HANDSHAPE (Moves in a circular Je veux ton amour motion) I don’t wanna be friends (Want your bad romance IMMERSE/FALL-INTO I want your bad romance) Want your bad romance! PRISON (Moves from right to left across the signer’s face) Uses of French Sign Language LOVERS Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah! BLAME Roma-Roma-ma-ah! WANT Ga-ga-ooh-la-la! Want your bad romance DISCONNECT+++ 5-CL (Dominant hand is placed sideways simu- I want your love and lates opening another persons’ chest) I want your revenge 5-CL (Passive hand thrusts into “chest” pulls out You and me could write a bad romance pulsating heart) I want your love and All your lover’s revenge (Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) You and me could write a bad romance 5-CL (Dominant hand takes the “pulsating heart” KISS-ON-CHEEK (using “U” handshape with from Passive hand and moves hand to the right) dominant hand) (Eye Gaze follows pulsating heart) I-ONE-UP-YOU (Dominant hand remains station- ary) 5-CL (Passive hand is placed sideways on signer’s chest. Indicating opening of signer’s own YOU-ONE-UP-ME (Passive hand remains sta- chest) tionary) 5-CL (Dominant hand places “pulsating heart” into (Wrists turn to have palms facing one another signer’s chest) simultaneously handshapes changes to “1”. Hands gradually move toward one another) 5-CL (Passive hand closes over “pulsating heart” acts as a door slamming) CONNECT/RELATIONSHIP (Both hands move outward in a pumping motion) Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh! Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh! Caught in a bad romance

“V” BENT HANDSHAPE (Moves in a circular motion)

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