An American diplomat was speaking to a large crowd
at a public meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa.
Out of respect for the audience, and for the
interpreter, he spoke slowly. He also told some
jokes, likewise very slowly. After each joke, he
was amazed how the translator used only a few words
to make the crowd roar with laughter.
Afterwards the diplomat asked the interpreter, "How
did you manage to tell each joke so rapidly?"
"Oh, it's easy," said the interpreter. "I just
said, 'He told a joke. Laugh!'"