Linguistic colossus Professor Frank John Dubokovich, Guardian of the Hvar Dialects, makes his debut on British television on August 21, 2017.
Almost six years ago, just a month after I started Total Hvar, the very first Total Project, I was having a coffee in The Office with my good friend, Frank John Dubokovich.
It was November, cold and not much was happening on the island, and we were talking about olive picking techniques or some such fascinating subject, when I noticed that Frankie had a video recorder with him. Keen to get new topics for my nascent blog, I suggested we do a short ad hoc video with his explaining some of the gems of Hvar dialect. Frankie readily agreed, and we recorded everything in one take.
The Dalmatian Grunt was brought to an international audience for the first time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYjTriY3Y0A
More than 30,000 YouTube views later, the Dalmatian Grunt has achieved cult status. It also led a series of videos about Hvar dialects, which have proved quite popular, and which have led to Frankie being known across the globe as Professor Frank John Dubokovich, Guardian of the Hvar Dialects.
Tourists came to The Office to pay homage to The Professor and his linguistic genius. The Deputy Head Coach of the Australian Football Team jetted in from Sydney for the chance to have a coffee with The Professor, and revealed to us that he had The Professor’s genius recorded on his ringtone – see video below.
National television came calling, with HRT requesting a special lesson on Hvar wine dialect for a prime time summer show, and The Professor delivered his linguistic pearls to a national audience. His fame quickly spread, and it was not long before the international media would discover his unique and raw talent.
And tonight, on a British show called Coach Trip, The Professor and one of his favourite hats, was unleashed on an unsuspecting British audience for the first time. The Professor shone, and the students responded magnificently, grasping the basics of Hvar dialect with ease.
See The Professor’s British debut below. Quite outstanding. We salute you, Sir! Hollywood next. It was a pleasure to know you before your global superstar status.
