Some of my favourite tv ads

We do watch Russian tv sometimes. And one of the most fun thing is watching ads from a different culture. Ads are nice bite size chunks when it comes to language.

Here's a few that have caught my eye.


Russians like to make fun of the Chukchi people. The Chukchi are a nomadic reindeer herding people who live just opposite Alaska. While the ad may have been intended to make fun at the expense of the Chukchi, I think they still come off looking like fun and exciting people. Riding a reindeer can be a lot of fun.
The ad is for a 3G modem from the phone company MTS.  They are giving the first two months free.

Chukchi: Do you have a reindeer?

MTS girl: Reindeer? Yep we have one.

Chukchi:  Oh cool! Is he fast?

MTS girl:  You can try it out, two months for free.

Chukchi: So cool, let's try it out.

Commentator:  (details of the contract)....  MTS a step forward. (For those backward Chukchis of course.)

(In Russian reindeer is "olen" which is a bit of play on words to sound like "online."  Russians have borrowed the word "online" in to the Russian language."




Sibiriak #1:  You're first!

Sibiriak #2:  B7

Sibirak #1:  Hah! You missed.  D3.  (Literally- you fumbled.)

Sibiriak #2:  That's a hit.  (Literally- you have wounded me with a bullet.)

Narrator: Kirieshki. For those that like to take it in the teeth.  (A rough equivalent of taking it on the chin.)

Sibiriak #2: In Summer I'll beat you at noughts and crosses.

The ad is for some rather crunchy and hard crouton type snacks that are flavoured. You really have to bite them with your teeth.



Sibiriak #2: No, not 3, 73. (Perhaps something to do with their mathematical calculations.)

Sibiriak #2: Yep, it's Summer time.

Kirieshki, for those that like to take it in the teeth.


Sibiriak #1:  So, do you think they're frozen now, we can herd them up?

Sibiriak #2:  Yep, they're frozen.

Sibiriak #1: Kuzmich, what does that mean according to the rules?

Sibiriak #2:  According to the rules, you buy me a new tractor.  (Must be because a tractor is worth far more than a little shack. Kuzmich wants the money!)