I watch a lot of foreign language films, and read a lot of translated literature and I always try to imagine what I’m missing out on by not reading or taking in media in it’s original language.

In film, are there some significant mistranslations that has led non-native speakers of the language to interpret something different from the movie?

Thanks!

  • @[email protected]
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    fedilink
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    31 year ago

    I don’t have any specific examples, but the things that don’t translate well are usually either jokes relying on an understanding of the culture or wordplay.

    This is typically either solved with a TL note explaining the situation, or the whole joke is replaced with something else.

    • @canthidium
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      21 year ago

      I really wish they would just put a note in more often. I find it interesting and you learn a little about the culture when they show little jokes or sayings unique to them.

    • @SgtAStrawberry
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      21 year ago

      You also have the method of translateing the joke even when it doesn’t work.