"I Don't Understand"

image from "The Local"

The other day I was amusing the kids with my best "Muppet" impersonations, when my daughter admitted that she "didn't understand" what I was saying when speaking (or rather singing) as the Swedish Chef. Ironically, that's the entire point of the Swedish Chef. We watch with bated breath as the silly chef adds ingredients, mixes and chops and simmers, and wait until the (inevitably) live animal bleats, moos or pops out of the pot. It's what we know, it's what we expect, and it's funny.

My daughter later asked me if any other Muppet characters had their own language. I hadn't really thought about it, but Beaker (gosh, I love him) and Animal both have their own way of speaking too. Though we can't understand most of what the Chef, Beaker and Animal are SAYING we surely understand their intent. I guess language isn't that big of a barrrier after all.