Why did Ouda translate wrong in Ace Ventura 2?

Why did Ouda translate wrong in Ace Ventura 2? - Ace of Spade Playing Card on Grey Surface

In "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls", Ace visits the aggressive Wachootoo tribe and angers them when his Wachati guide (Ouda) incorrectly translates his peaceful message into a hostile declaration.

Ace: Tell them what I'm saying. I come in peace!

Ouda: [in Wachootoo] White Devil say, "I will harm you." [the Wachootoo get angry]

Ace: [to Ouda] I couldn't help but notice the "equinsu ocha" part. Did you just refer to me as "white devil"?

Ouda: This is how they know you.

Ace: Leave that part out from now on! [to the Wachootoo] I represent the princess!

Ouda: [in Wachootoo] "I am a Princess." [the Wachootoo look surprised. One smiles at Ace]

Ace: War is hell. The last thing we want... is a fight!

Ouda: [in Wachootoo] "I want to fight, so go to hell." [The Wachootoo start yelling]

Ouda is his ally throughout the movie and seems to have no issues translating Wachootoo at any other time except this one scene.

Why did Ouda translate wrong in Ace Ventura 2? Was it on accident or on purpose?



Best Answer

We don't know for sure.

TV Tropes suggests that Ouda is either trying to help Ace, or might just be trolling:

(Warning: TV Tropes link)

Trolling Translator: Ace gets his Wachati guide Ouda to translate his words into the Wachootoo language...badly.

Ace: War Is Hell. The last thing we want is a fight.

Ouda: "I want a fight, so go to hell!"

It's left to the viewers' imagination whether Ouda is actually a bad translator, or if he's working to keep Ace alive with his mistranslations; the Wachootoo don't seem like peace-loving people, and might take fatal offense to Ace's cowardice.

Though, given that at one point he has Ace calling himself a princess, Ouda is likely either genuinely bad or a giant Troll.

As the Wachati appear to enjoy fighting it does seem likely that Ouda, believing that Ace is capable enough, needs to be pushed into observing the customs and traditions of the tribe in order to get what he wants.

There is a novelisation for the film, that may contain the answer. I tried to search within the book, but was unable to preview the full pages. You can find more about the book here: Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls




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Why did Ouda translate wrong in Ace Ventura 2? - 1 + 1 = 3 Text on Black Chalkboard
Why did Ouda translate wrong in Ace Ventura 2? - Dictionary Text in Bokeh Effect
Why did Ouda translate wrong in Ace Ventura 2? - Ace, King, Jack, and King of Hearts Playing Cards



What language is Equinsu OCHA?

equinsu ocha definition, equinsu ocha meaning | French definition dictionary.

What language do they speak in Ace Ventura?

The word EKWENSU OCHA is from the Igbo people of southeast Nigeria which means WHITE DEVIL as correctly used in the movie, the BAT also means USU and was sporadically used in the course of the movie too.

How did they say white devil in Ace Ventura?

Ace Ventura, When Nature Calls: SC Locations Parts of the movie were shot at Botany Bay on Edisto Island and at Cherokee Plantation near Green Pond. Botany Bay Plantation, with its environment that closely resembles a tropical landscape, was used for all the jungle scenes, as well as the African village scenes.



Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls: White devil.




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Pixabay, George Becker, Pixabay, Yanina