All your base are belong to us!

Question

I'm in doubt whether I should post the question in here but it's certainly a kind of grammar issue. So I decided to post it. What I'd like to know is about the point of laghter of "All your base belong to us". Summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_your_base_are_belong_to_us#Transcript

I know the sentence makes grammatical errors but there are a lot of such nonnative sentences you come across. Why did AYB make a big hit with you most of all? Natives' opinion needed!

BTW I'm from Japan, the contry of AYB:)

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Not sure I understand the question. You're asking why the expression makes such a big hit with native English speakers, as compared with other people?

There's no accounting for humor (well, very little, anyway). I don't play video games and I think it's hilarious. Who speaks this line?

I remember many years ago (before video games) when we first saw old John Wayne movies which had been translated into Japanese, we thought it was a real crackup!

I suspect the humor lies in the incongruous juxtaposition of absolute power (having the upper hand) and the sort of impotence of not being able to say the line with true authority. Something like the humor or Colonel Klink in Hogan's Heros (TV series). You think you're in control but we think you're a joke.

There must be plenty of people who have played the game who could answer this much better than I can.

Hmmm. I just asked my son, who used to play all the old Nintendo games. He knew the line, and corrected me when I left out the "are." He said he personally pays no attention to the dialogue, but many people are into it.

Patrick Lockerby · Answer

AvangiI suspect the humor lies in the incongruous juxtaposition of absolute power (having the upper hand) and the sort of impotence of not being able to say the line with true authority. Something like the humor or Colonel Klink in Hogan's Heros (TV series). You think you're in control but we think you're a joke.

I agree with this, but would add a point about the way we adopt cliches into our language.

If a character in a book, play or movie speaks ungrammatically and most people understand the error and think it is hilarious, then it becomes part of the language and culture.

I have heard this phrase, and seen it in print, adapted to suit the occasion.

"All your _ are belong to us!"

Suppose that the government decides that it wants to intercept all emails.
The tabloid newspapers are likely to print a headline like this:
"All your emails are belong to us!", says government.

Mistakes often become standing jokes in families, offices and other small groups.
Examples I have heard of deliberate error:
"Can I have some more neaput butter please?" ( sounds like knee - putt )
"You didn't pronounce it plopery."

Avangi · Answer

Right on, PL!  [Y]

All your base are belong to us!

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