During the lecture this week, Kari Gislason mentioned in passing that "funny on paper does not necessarily translate on screen." I thought that was an interesting statement, because presenting humour in any medium (paper, television, radio, etc.) can be tricky. It's difficult to find a balance between "funny" and "obnoxious", "hilarious" and "off-putting", or "self-deprecating" and "downright annoying". I am usually so afraid of crossing the line, I don't even go there. Which is sad because I like to believe that the things that go on in my head are funny. I picture myself writing funny things, but it just won't translate onto paper without my reader-self wanting to slap my obnoxious writer-self.
And it is for all these reasons that I truly believe Mr Benjamin Law has a gift. That man is as hilarious in real life as he is on paper. He is sarcastic, highly inappropriate, and an all-around funny man.
I decided to put Kari's statement (and Ben) to the test by listening to
Ben's reading of 'Tone Deaf', an excerpt from his memoir,
The Family Law, uploaded by Paper Radio. I love it when authors or poets read their own work--it feels as though I have now experienced their words as they intended it to be. I also wanted to see if I found Ben's humorous writing as funny if I were listening instead of reading.
My verdict? Yes it was, and no it wasn't. Listening to the reading was very effective for when Ben was trying to express himself in Cantonese. I laughed out loud at various parts (especially when I heard Ben's weird Cantonese intonations, as I am a failed Cantonese speaking Chinese myself) that probably wouldn't have been as funny if I had read it. However, there were also parts when I thought would've been more effective on paper. Perhaps it is his slow reading voice (understandable, as it is required for clarity) that causes some humour to be lost.
Either way, though, there is always something special to be experienced when listening or reading--which, I believe, is the very magic of words.
