Jas Fasola = Mr. Bean, why?

Poland seems to really like the UK comic creation, Mr Bean. (I won't ask why as I don't want to offend).

I am unclear on what "jas" means in Polish, and I also note that when I use Google Translate and enter "Jas Fasola" it translates to "Mr. Bean" (because fasola means bean, of course) but if I type in "Jas Banan" it translates to just "jas banana", if I type in "Jas Groch" I still just get "jas peas", etc, you get the idea...

Does this mean someone has programmed Google Translate to recognise "Jas Fasola" as the common Polish name for the TV series, "Mr Bean"? Or is there another explanation?

Anyone from outside of Poland who might be confused - Mr Bean was a fairly popular British TV comedy, but Polish TV does not call it "Mr Bean" and has chosen instead to title it "Jas Fasola", presumably to encourage more slapstick humour appeal to a Polish audience.

Jas = Jack, Jackie

Probably, the Rowland Atkinson character represents the English Everyman, the ordinary bumbler, much like Doodles Weaver or especially Lucille Ball ("ILove Lucy" etc..) here in the States.

The utterly unfunny Mr. Bean is hardly an everyman figure. Mr Pooter, perhaps. Atkinson's best work was in Blackadder in my opinion.

Teflcat, you may be right about that! A Yank may well see Brits quite differently from how they see themselvesLOL

Thanks for the Jack explanation.
You mean like John Doe? No, he's not called Mr Bean for that reason in the UK, where the programme originates from.

From Wikipedia:
The title character, played by Rowan Atkinson, is a childish and selfish buffoon who brings various unusual schemes and contrivances to everyday tasks. He lives alone in his small flat in Highbury, and is almost always seen in his trademark tweed jacket and a skinny red tie. He also usually wears a digital calculator watch. Mr. Bean rarely speaks, and when he does, it is generally only a few mumbled words which are in a comically low-pitched voice..[13]

Mr. Bean often seems unaware of basic aspects of the way the world works, and the programme usually features his attempts at what would normally be considered simple tasks, such as going swimming, using a television set, redecorating or going to church. The humour largely comes from his original (and often absurd) solutions to problems and his total disregard for others when solving them, his pettiness, and occasional malevolence.

Sounds like a character based on something it should not be based on at all.


+1 Although he has laughed all the way to the bank, big time.

Jas is a diminutive of Jan (John). There is also proverbial "glupi Jas" (stupid Johnny). Not to mention Jas is also a certain type of bean. Jas Falona sounds funny, while Pan Fasona would be rather weird. I am not saying that Pan Fasola would not work, but when you translate jokes, you should avoid literal translation, when possible one should try fit it into cultural context.

Yes. GT is based on translations provided by the users and in this instance, the programme recognises the whole phrase, not just single words.

Thank you both.
Kondzior, I'm beginning to understand now why they (Polsat) chose 'jas' rather than Pan.
Strzyga, I thought that might be the case!

Don`t be silly. Poles love comedies. Simple.

My fav types:

Trust me in that no British man would take too kindly to being compared to Mr Bean Lyzko!!


Didn't know this until today.My lodger cooked a dish with Fasola Piękny Jaś ( Handsome Johnny Bean ).Very strange to think of handsome beans lol!

LOL this thread has reminded me of this...

2:30 onwards...

"Mr. Bean do an E", haha

youtube.com/watch?v=kOZlJiOvXsU

Don't forget Poles already had their own TV character named Pan Fasola:

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasola_(program_telewizyjny)
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krzysztof_Tyniec

So, Atkinson's character was renamed to Jaś probably in order to prevent confusion with the other Fasola.