True Blood tie-in book in Sweden: Död tills mörkret faller

from Sanna, my friend in Sweden ( I've already done an interview with her for the next Sookie International fan show!!)

Hi Dallas,

Thank you for the conversation last Saturday, great fun! I listened to your show last week and it was really interesting to hear your interviews.

I thought I should give you a short update of the Swedish book translation. The first book is indeed translated to Swedish
(October-08) and has the title D“öd tills mörkret faller”. I haven’t read it myself, and unfortunately, after reading some of the fan written reviews, I am not planning to either. Basically they say that the translation sucks compared to the original. :D

I am attaching a picture of the front cover and two photos I took in a regular bookstore and a photo of the English books you can see a little note saying: “Sara rekommenderar” meaning “Sara recommends”. :)

Ps. I couldn’t find anything to change on your blog. It is great as it is. :)

Best wishes
Sanna

Ask Dallas : what language is Eric speaking ?

I like that people feel comfortable enough with me to ask questions that they think are stupid -even though the truth is they aren't stupid questions at all....

Question : "I want to ask you what exactly is the language that Eric's uses?"

This was my answer ...

From Vikings wikia.com

Old Norse is the North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300.

It evolved from the older Proto-Norse in the 8th century and evolved into the modern North Germanic languages after the Viking Age.

Most speakers of Old Norse dialects spoke the Old East Norse dialect in what are present-date Denmark and Sweden. In texts which date from Medieval Icelandic time, writers wrote with Old Icelandic and Old Norwegian dialects. These dialects derive from the Old West Norse dialect.

No clear geographical boundary exists between the two dialects. Old East Norse traits were found in eastern Norway and Old West Norse traits were found in western Sweden.

Some consider Old Gutnish, sometimes included in Old East Norse because it is the least known, a third dialect since it shares traits with both Old West Norse and Old East Norse and also has developed its own.

The Icelandic Gray Goose Laws states that Swedes, Norwegians, Icelanders and Danes spoke the same language, dǫnsk tunga. Speakers of the eastern dialect, spoken in Sweden and Denmark, would have said dansk tunga (Danish tongue) or norrønt mál (Nordic language) to name their language.

Gradually, Old Norse splintered into the modern North Germanic languages: Icelandic, Faroese, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish.

Modern Icelandic is closest to Old Norse. Written modern Icelandic derives from Old Norse/modern Icelandic phoneme system. Contemporary Icelandic-speakers can understand written Old Norse, which differs slightly in spelling as well as semantics and word order.

In the True Blood TV show Alex Skarsgard is just speaking his native Swedish but in the books Charlaine Harris describes Eric's language as being a very old Viking language that probably would have been spoken over 1,000 years ago.

Alexander speaks Swedish( his own native language) as Eric in True Blood

Examples from episode 4 and episode 12

Eric speaks in Sookie Books

"Eric cursed in a language that probably hadn’t been spoken out loud in centuries" bk8

"He shouted something in a language I'd never heard, and he closed his own eyes" bk4

"Eric said, smiling. He had a slight accent. English was not his second language, of course; it was maybe his twenty-fifth." bk 5

Ask Dallas: What is the song Alex Skarsgard sings on Leende guldbruna Ögon ?

Please, please Dallas find out what the song is that Alex is singing on the Swedish TV clip you posted earlier ..

If any of you Swedish speakers can help with translations , please do. If you missed the video see below and thanks to the Skarsgard channel for info.

Alexander Skarsgård as singer of the dance band "Boogey Knights" and Alex is singing the popular song "Tusen och en natt" (Thousand and one nights")

*From Sheiro, she says the song is called " Take me to your heaven " ( in English) and is by Charlotte Nilsson, you can watch both the English version / Swedish version-thanks !

The guys in red talk about what it means to be in a dance band and that singing Schlager music must come from your heart.

The Boogey Knights singer (Alex) says that they are wrong. Being a dance band singer means an uncomfy tourbus, eating cold sausages with mashed potatoes at a highway rest area on E 18 (a large highway in Sweden) and sh***g lots of moms with 3 kids from Fruängen (a Stockholm suburb).

Swedish Lyrics "Tusen och en natt"

Bortom mörkret finns en evighet
Himlens alla stjärnor lyser upp i natten
Kanske att min dröm blir verklighet
För din kärlek går jag genom eld och vatten
Jag vill ha dig här hos mig, och alltid vara nära dig

CHORUS: Du finns i mina drömmar, tusen och en natt
Väcker mina känslor
Varje tid i gryningsmorgon
Sagan om vår kärlek
Kan bli verklig, kan bli sann
Om du älskar mig i tusen och en natt

Som en tjuv om natten kommer du
Stjäl en kyss och tar det mesta av min kärlek
Skuggor som faller i den blåa skymningen
Får mig att längta efter kärlek och bara drömma
Jag kan aldrig glömma

Du finns i mina drömmar, tusen och en natt
om du älskar mig i tusen och en natt

Lyrics - English translation

Beyond the darkness is an eternity
where all stars in heaven light up the night
Perhaps my dream becomes reality
For your love I go through fire and water
I want you here with me, and always be near you

CHORUS: You are in my dreams, a thousand and one nights
Arousing my emotions
Each time the dawn of morning
The fable of our love
Could be real, could be true
If you love me in a thousand and one nights

Like a thief in the night you come to me
Stealing a kiss and taking most of my love
Shadows falling in the blue dusk
Makes me yearn for love and having a dream
I can never forget

You are in my dreams, a thousand and one nights
when you love me, a thousand and one nights

"I love Skarsgard " Swedish interview with Stephen Moyer

Again, we need the Swedish translator - hmm and Stephen is English, right ? (Ha)

the title of this article is "Jag älskar Skarsgård"
You can see it here: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/article4030638.ab
The handy translator here :http://www.stars21.com/translator/swedish_to_english.html
~~~~
Here is the gist of the interview :

Then Stephen Moyer talks about vampires, romance with his colleague Anna Paquin in "True blood" - and his love of Alexander Skarsgård.

He plays 175-year-old dead guy.

CADAVEROUS, with black hair and both stab teeth and a look that can kill.

Bill Compton is a vampire with "sydstatsdialekt". ( i think maybe this is "southern drawl" but i'm told it is literaly "south states dialect" )

In reality, Stephen Moyer, 38, brown hair, an infectious smile and a dialect which testify that he is true Englishman was close to giving up his Hollywood career to stay home and be the father.

He said " I had gone to the U.S. for a huge job in a TV series that was predicted to become the new "24". But then it was withdrawn by Fox -it was incredibly frustrating.

He has has enough- He was divorced because of his career. The long periods abroad had left their mark. And Stephen Moyers also had two small children in London and he wanted to be at home.

He said "I had had enough after having gone back and forth for so many years. My manager did not want me to give up because everyone in the industry knew I still had this incredible role, and now it was my chance. But I was tired of being disappointed."

But as it so often happens once its been offered you just can't say no . In Stephen Moyers case it was a role in the new HBO series "True Blood" which is about a world in the not too distant future where people live side -by -side with the vampires who are now living on the synthetic blood.

He said " I emailed a TEST video to director Alan Ball. He saw it, called back and I flew over to the U.S. the day after to see him and Anna Paquin and it became my role. Everything was decide in three days.

"It is complete nonsense"
In his new role, he also found love. But the only time Stephen Moyer is taciturn during the interview is when rumors of romance with Anna Paquin, 26

- Is it possible rumors about it?" I can not really talk about it, "he said, laughing nervously.

Love for Alexander Skarsgård, who also plays vampire

-SM says " I love him! We are very close to each other. He is extremely funny, a little crazy and dark in mind though he does not seem to be there. Anna said that her favorite moments on the recording is when we are together. It is complete nonsense and we are talking nonstop."

Moyer on ...

The second season of "True Blood":
- I am thrilled and the series has incredible potential. I usually say no to playing the same role twice, but now I see genuine forward to the second season that we start filming soon. I have already been offered several other jobs, thanks to this role, which I hoped would happen.

The new Swedish vampire film "Let the right to In":
- I have heard about the fact and that it should be pretty good. It is about a child who is a vampire, right? I really need to see it. Exciting there to be an American version, too.

On being a dad who plays a vampire:
- It is a nightmare. My son named Bill, so he thinks the series is about him. It is a pity that he can not see it, it is far too bloody. But he knows that it is about vampires and when is get home he says I am the king of all vampires.

On its role in nature:
- He is a very moral person, because of his background and how he became a vampire. He is also very sexual but diabolical in mind and is fearless on revenge on those who do wrong. The series turns up and down the stereotypes about vampires and depicts how different a vampire world could be.

Name: Stephen Moyer. Age: 38. Occupation: Actor (played theater, made TV series and movies for 17 years). Lives: London. Family: Divorced. Have kids Billy, 8, and Lilac, 6. Current: As the Vampire Bill Compton in "True blood" which is broadcast on Canal +. SVT is shown in the spring.

Hockey anyone ? How about going to a game with Alex ?

Alex at a NYC hockey game - again you can use your nifty translator.

http://www.stars21.com/translator/swedish_to_english.html

article here in Swedish:

http://www.hockeyexpressen.se/nhl/1.1402648/mats-sundin-sag-rangers-vinna-i-natt

Alex Skarsgard is filming new movie in New York.

My, my aren't we are very international this morning.
How about a little Swedish from our very favorite Swede, Alex Skarsgard

' Sedan åker jag till Los Angeles i slutet av januari för att börja med säsong två av "True blood". '

After the translation we get :

'Then I go to Los Angeles in late January for the first of the season two of "True blood '

You don't have to let international articles get you down, just use a translator like:

http://www.stars21.com/translator/swedish_to_english.html
* Babelfish ( my favorite) does not do Swedish to English

The article is about Alex filming a new movie called '13' in NY, it's a remake of a French film.

translate it yourself here

Eric is how old ?

Bk one

Bill seemed to relax. He bowed to Eric, somehow including Pam in the gesture, backed away for two steps, finally permitting me to turn my back to the couple.
"Gee whiz, what was that about?" I asked in a furious whisper. I'd have a big bruise the next day.
"They're older than I am by centuries," Bill said, looking very vampirey.
"Is that the pecking order? By age?"
"Pecking order," Bill said thoughtfully. "That's not a bad way to put it." He almost laughed. I could tell by the way his lip twitched.

"Sookie," Bill said, and something in his voice made me take notice. "Eric has told me to bring you to Shreveport again."
It took me a second to remember who Eric was. "Oh, the big Viking vampire?"
"The very old vampire," Bill said precisely.
"You mean, he ordered you to bring me there?" I didn't like the sound of this at all. I'd been sitting on the side of the bed, Bill behind me, and now I turned to look in his face. This time he didn't stop me. I stared at Bill, seeing something in his face that I'd never seen before. "You have to do this," I said, appalled. I could not imagine someone giving Bill an order. "But honey, I don't want to go see Eric."
I could see that made no difference. "What is he, the Godfather of vampires?" I asked, angry and incredulous. "Did he give you an offer you couldn't refuse?"
"He is older than me. More to the point, he is stronger."

Bk 2
It was quite a crouch, because Eric, tall and broad, looks exactly like what he is, a former Viking. "What has happened to you?" he asked.

Bk 4
From a six-foot-five ancient Viking vampire

Bk 5
Eric slid out of the booth and rose to his considerable height-around six foot four. His mane of blond hair rippled down his back, and his blue eyes sparkled from his white, white face. Eric has bold features, high cheekbones, and a square jaw. He looks like a lawless Viking, the kind that could pillage a village in no time at all; and that's exactly what he had been.
Vampires don't shake hands except under extraordinary circumstances, so I didn't expect any salutation from Eric. But he bent to give me a kiss on the cheek, and he gave it lingeringly, as if he wanted me to know he'd like to seduce me.

Bk 7
Eric decided action would speak louder than words. Suddenly, he was right in front of me.
He put a finger under my chin and lifted my face to his. His eyes, which looked simply dark in the irregular light, latched on to mine with an intensity that was both exciting and painful. Vampires; mixed feelings. One and the same.
Not exactly to my astonishment, he kissed me. When someone has had approximately a thousand years to practice kissing, he can become very good at it, and I would be lying if I said I was immune to such osculatory talent.

From wikipedia

The Viking Age

The period from the earliest recorded raids in the 790s until the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 is commonly known as the Viking Age of Scandinavian history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking

Swedish vampire? -no not that one - "Let the right one in"

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

Directed by Tomas Alfredson

Cast Includes Per Ragnar, Mikael Rahm

Rating: R - Swedish director Tomas Alfredson brings the best-selling novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist to life in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. A fragile, anxious boy, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates but never strikes back. The lonely boy's wish for a friend seems to come true when he meets Eli, also 12, who moves in next door to him with her father. A pale, serious young girl, she only comes out at night and doesn't seem affected by the freezing temperatures.

Coinciding with Eli's arrival is a series of inexplicable disappearances and murders. One man is found tied to a tree, another frozen in the lake, a woman bitten in the neck. Blood seems to be the common denominator – and for an introverted boy like Oskar, who is fascinated by gruesome stories, it doesn't take long before he figures out that Eli is a vampire. But by now a subtle romance has blossomed between Oskar and Eli, and she gives him the strength to fight back against his aggressors. Oskar becomes increasingly aware of the tragic, inhuman dimension of Eli's plight, but cannot bring himself to forsake her. Frozen forever in a twelve-year-old's body, with all the burgeoning feelings and confused emotions of a young adolescent, Eli knows that she can only continue to live if she keeps on moving. But when Oskar faces his darkest hour, Eli returns to defend him the only way she can ...

Web page here http://sixshooterfilmseries.com/
Angelika theatres http://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/

Alex Skarsgard who is from Sweden being interviewed by a Swedish morning chat show ..

Eric first speaks Swedish to Pam in Ep 4

The Northman favors us with a little Swedish ( its interesting that Pam has picked up a little after spending the past 150 years with Eric -she is English in the books and about as old as Bill )

Eric : Vår lilla djurpark börjar växa till sig... Our little zoo starts to grow...
Pam : Jag vet. I know...

More great documents- scripts and texts from True Blood episodes

Are you trying to figure out what they say in a particular scene ? I know we do all the time on the wiki chat thread so I've created and posted word docs of the "closed captioning " text for the episodes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
I also have episode 7 for those wiki-folks who are in honor of Eric learning to speak Swedish during the show hiatus. ha!

You can find them as well as a full transcript of episode 1.

Go here

Closed Captioning Ep 12

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Closed Captioning Ep 7 in Swedish

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

"Oh glorious freedom" Eric returns Jessica ! episode 12

Our favorite Viking vampire had another Swedish comment for us last night

Å du ljuvliga frihet!" which means "Oh -glorious freedom"

** according to Calilo a Swedish poster he says
Åh, du ljuva frihet -which means Oh, you sweet freedom...