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It had never occurred to me that comic book sound effects would be different in other languages—I guess because I’ve always foolishly assumed sounds were sounds, right?—until I went to blow my nose the other day.
See, Irene had bought a box of Puff tissues, one with a superhero-themed design she knew would entertain me, and I’d been using it for months, only noticing the sides which had BOOM! and Zap! written on it.
But then I noticed that the remaining two sides, rather than BOOM! and Zap!, were emblazoned with the sound effects BOUM! and Vlan!, which would allow the box to also be sold in France.
You all probably already know this, but it was news to me, and I felt a bit sheepish to have learned it so late.
Who says blowing your nose can’t be educational?
Or French gunshots, which are “Pan!” rather than “Bang!”
Maria Alexander
Even kitties make different noises in France! Something like “mi-yuh” (mieux) instead of “meow.” Cats don’t respond to “kitty kitty,” but rather “minou-minou.”
It’s a whole new world over that ocean, man.