Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2021 October 31

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October 31

Kola Kolaya Mundhirika

Hi, got another tough one you brilliant folks can hopefully help with. An editor has requested a translation of the title of the film "Kola Kolaya Mundhirika", from Tamil. Best I can come up with is something about Cashews, Cola & Murder--Jac16888 ^Talk 19:47, 31 October 2021 (UTC)

Here the phrase is translated as "Bunches and Bunches of Cashew Fruit" – I'd say, in English, "Lots and Lots of Cashews". It appears to be a children's game, seen played here. The relation of the game with the plot of the film is (sketchily) explained here. Although I found a use or two of கொல கொலயா (Kola Kolaya) not followed by முந்திரிக்கா (Mundhirika), these seemed to be word play off of the name of this children's game. A literal translation, if possible at all, seems pointless. The game appears very similar to a variation of Duck, duck, goose – which, literally translated to Tamil, will become equally incomprehensible. Semantically, Duck Duck Goose may be the best approximation achievable if you want a a meaning-preserving translation.  --Lambiam 21:51, 31 October 2021 (UTC)

I see that there is an American animated comedy film with the name Duck Duck Goose.  --Lambiam 21:58, 31 October 2021 (UTC)