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]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    351 year ago

    In John Wick, when he interrogates Francis the bouncer outside the Russian nightclub, John asks him if he’s lost weight. Francis responds, in Russian, “yes, 23 kilograms,” but the subtitle converts it to “over 60 pounds.” This completely destroys the fact that Francis was using code to tell John there were 23 guards inside.

    • @canthidium
      link
      English
      51 year ago

      LMAO, that is quite funny. I mean it’s an accurate translation, but completely messes up the context.

        • @canthidium
          link
          English
          21 year ago

          Oh, I didn’t check the math, but that’s even funnier.