This is a series of illustrations about the quirks of the Belarusian language! Cute, funny images illustrate the literal meanings of some commonly-used phrases. The series is called "as we hear, so we draw," inspired by the Belarusian proverb: as it is heard, so it is written.
Despite being the country's native tongue, Belarusian is actually the second official state language next to Russian. In the state-controlled media, Belarusian language is often presented as the language of intellectuals and pro-democratic people (those not loyal to the current government), and is rarely used. Not surprisingly, it is listed in UNESCO’s Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.
As We Hear, So We Draw consists of ten cute illustrations inspired by everyday vernacular phrases, designed to humorously demonstrate the rich, distinct features of this beautiful and modern language.
Dziakuj!
Kubačak harbaty
Translation: “A cup of tea”
Translation: “A cup of tea”
Literally: “A humped cup”
Good tea should always be well stooped ;)
Dobraja sprava
Translation: “A good deal”
Literally: “The good one is on the right”
Try not to forget about the left, though :)
Mec' racyju
Translation: “To be in the right”
Translation: “To be in the right”
Literally: “Have a walkie-talkie”
Undercover agents of the KGB (yes, it still exists in Belarus!) can arrest anyone for any reason they see fit -
and they’re always in the right.
Chadziem u hryby
Translation: “Let’s gather mushrooms!”
Literally: “Going into the mushrooms!”
Don’t forget to lock up when you leave!
Doktar leki prapisau
Vernacular: “The doctor prescribes…”
Literally: “The doctor writes medicine…”
Of course, poor penmanship is the reason doctors must stay in school for so long.
They must learn to properly write “Medicine” (Лекi).
Adpuskajcie barody!
Translation: “Grow out your beard”
Literally: “Release the beards!”
Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!
Perakladčyk dakumentau
Translation: “Document translator”
Literally: “Document mover”
A translator’s work is often under appreciated, as he is dubbed simply a “mover” of documents from point A to point B.
Jechac' na autobusie
Meaning: “To go by bus”
Literally: “Going on the bus”
But even on top, you’d better pay your fare!
Nahavicy pasujuc'
Translation: “Your trousers look good on you”
Literally: “Your trousers are passing to you”
Can you catch? :)
Chadzic' na piva!
Translation: “Let’s go out for a beer!”
Literally: “Let’s walk on beer!”
Just don’t go barefoot...
Pytanni paustali!
Translation: “We demand answers!”
Literally: “The Questions Have Uprisen!”
Vaz'mi Volu u kulak!
Translation: “Pull Yourself Together!”
Literally: “Clutch Your Will (or your Vola) in Your Fist!”
**In Belarusian, "will" is the same word as the name "Vola"
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The images were published online and also were printed as magnets and postcards.
The project was awarded at the Belarusian festival of advertisement and communication.
