Smosh Mouth Podcast Episode #129: "We Try Speaking Other Languages"

Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Shayne Topp, Amanda Lehan-Canto, Olivia Sui

Overview

In this international and lighthearted episode, the Smosh Mouth team—Shayne, Amanda, and guest Olivia—embrace their linguistic curiosity by attempting to speak and translate a variety of languages. Sparked by Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl performance and their own multicultural backgrounds, the group dives into reading song lyrics and famous phrases in Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Russian. Along the way, they discuss the nuances, joys, and challenges of learning languages, swap cultural anecdotes, and reflect on the ways language shapes identity and belonging.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dudes and Makeup: Past, Present, and Future

• Makeup Myths: Shayne predicts a future where makeup is common for all genders:

  "I think within our lifetimes, we'll hit a point where, like, all dudes are wearing makeup again." (01:30)

• Cultural Crossovers: Amanda recalls Korean trends and Shayne references the emo era as points where makeup was normalized for men.

2. Why Other Languages?

• The Episode’s Impetus: The group’s interest stemmed from Bad Bunny's Super Bowl spotlight and the desire to connect with fans who speak different languages.

  "Bad Bunny, a lot of his songs are in Spanish. And I was like, I love other languages. Let's try to see if we can read other languages—a bit of a challenge." (03:26)

3. Language, Identity, and Perceptions

• On Heritage and Assumptions:
  • Amanda debunks rumors:

    "I am not Puerto Rican. I am Portuguese. My family's from the Azores." (21:18)

  • Olivia clarifies:

    "I am Chinese, not white… also not Puerto Rican!" (21:30)

4. Code Switching: Language and Culture

• Mixed Definitions and Lived Experience:

  Shane: “You would go back and forth between English and Mandarin within the same sentence... I thought code switching was more of a cultural thing.”
  Amanda: “It's called code switching.”
  (11:47-13:00)

• Discussion of how "code switching" can refer both to language mixing and altering behavior/speech style in different cultural settings.

5. Sports Talk Asides

• Brief discussion of football predictions, the Super Bowl timeline, and how sports function as cultural rituals.

  Shane: “If by some miracle the Broncos do win the Super Bowl, I will get a perm.” (70:13)

6. The Deep Challenge of Language Learning

• Aspirations and Frustrations:

  Shane: “One of my lifetime dreams is to be able to speak Spanish... I suck at it.” (09:53–10:03)

  • Amanda adds: "It's much easier to learn it when you're younger… I'm teaching my son Russian now…" (10:06)
• Effort & Respect: All agree trying matters, even if you fail, but recount jokes about how some cultures (esp. France) don’t always appreciate language learners’ efforts.

7. Singing and Translating Multilingual Hits

Spanish - Bad Bunny

• The group tries to read (and sometimes sing) through Bad Bunny lyrics, decoding phrases and sharing context:
  • [18:00] “Titi me preguntó…” ("Auntie asked me if I have a lot of girlfriends...")
  • [19:04] Amanda: "Sounds way better than I…”
  • Amanda provides context: “Years of Spanish, you start to be able to do that, but what's crazy is in Spanish class, they teach you 'go to the museum' …but not street Spanish.” (20:33)
• Translation Moment:

  “Let those who have already moved on smile.” – Amanda, translating (23:49)

Tagalog

• They attempt famous lines from Filipino movies and songs:
  • [47:29] Olivia: “Nagui... Let me start over. Sorry. Take two.”
  • [48:00] Shane (translating): “You'll never make it you’re nothing but a second rate trying hard copycat.”

Mandarin

• Olivia shares phrases demonstrating how tones and inflections shape meaning:
  • [56:01] Olivia: “The first three words were good.”
  • [56:36] Olivia: “If I was anywhere around people who spoke Mandarin, they'd be like, stop talking to me, dude.”
  • Tones in Mandarin:

    Shui jiao = sleep
    Shui jiao = dumpling (57:04)

Russian

• Amanda attempts a Russian poem from a film, noting both the challenge and beauty:
  • [65:22] Amanda explains the poetic translation, centering on mature, gentle love.

8. Untranslatable Words and the Limits of Language

• The team discusses words that don’t easily translate, like "xiao shun" (filial piety) and others with deep cultural context:

  "It's just so interesting because I don't think there's that word [for xiao shun] in English." — Olivia (40:46)

9. Culture through Language and Food

• Conversation about cultural dining habits (e.g., family-style eating) and how those practices reflect values.
• Olivia on growing up with Filipino food and language:

  “Lumpia, adobo, I ate it every single day.” (52:27)

10. Learning from Each Other and Celebrating Diversity

• Repeated emphasis on curiosity, trying, and learning as a lifelong pursuit.
• Amanda: “It’s so important to be curious. Go there and be curious.” (44:15)
• Olivia: “That's why I love this episode right now because I'm learning so much.” (63:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trying Languages:

  "If by some miracle, the Broncos do win the Super Bowl, I will get a perm." – Shane (70:13)

• Navigating Multilingual Lives:

  Olivia: “I'm also fluent in stupid, and that's a skill." (11:14)

• Language and Emotion:

  Amanda: "That's what's magic about other languages... There's just like, this other tapped in magic..." (39:58)

• Pop Culture Connections:

  Amanda: "You kind of look like Jennifer Love Hewitt."
  Shane: "Oh, that's high praise! Whoa." (34:00)

• When Effort Isn’t Always Enough:

  Shane: “Whenever I've traveled... trying to speak the language... you realize that everyone, everywhere is bilingual—except for us.” (25:41)

• On Untranslatable Words:

  Olivia: “There's a word in Mandarin called xiao shun... meaning you put your parents first... it's so cultural, and there's no single English word for that.” (40:46)

• Cultural Curiosity:

  Amanda: "Wherever I've traveled... how different every small little thing can be..." (44:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:30–03:00 – Makeup culture and language episode introduction
• 03:40–05:00 – Reason for doing language episode + Super Bowl context
• 10:00–13:00 – Language learning challenges and code switching
• 16:16–25:00 – Spanish segment: Bad Bunny lyrics breakdown, translation, and cultural notes
• 25:54–29:19 – Language barriers while traveling
• 31:43–36:00 – More Spanish song translations and deeper meanings
• 39:08–43:20 – Untranslatable words, Mandarin cultural concepts
• 47:02–49:18 – Tagalog movie quote reading and translation
• 56:01–58:05 – Mandarin phrases, the importance of tones, language confusion jokes
• 63:01–67:55 – K-pop/Asian pop culture nostalgia (Meteor Garden)
• 67:22–70:01 – Russian poem reading, poetic translation, theme of gentle love
• 70:13–72:27 – Super Bowl bets, hair dye promises, episode wrap-up

Summary Table of Languages Attempted

| Language | Material Attempted | Notable Segment/Timestamp | |-------------|---------------------------|--------------------------| | Spanish | Bad Bunny lyrics | 16:16–36:00 | | Tagalog | Film quotes, song lyrics | 47:02–52:37 | | Mandarin | Phrases, pop lyrics | 55:04–63:09 | | Russian | Classic poem | 65:22–68:41 |

Tone and Style

The episode is playful, curious, occasionally self-deprecating, and full of genuine excitement for learning and cultural exchange. The hosts balance humor with earnest discussion about identity, the challenges of speaking new languages, and the joy of trying—no matter how embarrassing the results.

Final Thoughts

Smosh Mouth #129 stands out for its blend of humor, humility, and heartfelt curiosity. The team’s willingness to make mistakes, share personal stories, and celebrate the world’s linguistic diversity creates a welcoming space for listeners—no matter what languages they speak—while encouraging everyone to keep learning, trying, and connecting.

“Listen, guys, we’re not perfect, but we’re curious. We want to learn.” – Amanda (69:47)