What's up everyone and I'm back again to discuss a question in relation to American films that are seen in other countries around the world. When watching American films with subtitles, (depending on what country you originate from) do you have trouble understanding the translation of those films as far as the dialogue, the plot or if you are watching a comedy film, the sarcasm or funny remarks by one character in the film? I often have to rely on English subtitles when I watch international films from countries such as Japan, China and Korea. Sometimes I wonder if what is being said with those films are accurate because the translation in English could mean one thing but when translated back to original language, it's completely different and that confuses me. Well, please feel free to leave your thoughts/comments on this discussion and if you have any questions for me on this topic, I'll give you a responce as soon as I can.
Hi Twan.
Genuine (not pirate) films do not often have subtitles in Chinese. Usually, voice performers act the roles in Chinese.
When I was young, I watched American films with subtitles which were made by underground producers without authority of the original American companies. The quality of these subtitles varied a lot from film to film and was mostly poor.
These days, volunteers who are interested in the English language and the films or soup operas translate them. So the quality is a lot better, so good that I admire very much.
However, most books translated by professional Chinese translators are terrible. I'd rather read the original English version.
I may go off topic, but recently I watched a Japanese TV programme dubbed in English. I used to watch the "family" show when I was very young, and I was very happy to find it was on TV again. But, it did not take too long before the excitement turned into disappointment. It had been completely ruined by the dubbing and the family show had turned into R-rated. So, I would like to bring out that there are occasions when people do not even bother translating the originals.
I think the subtitle has to changed to their own culture's version and they do. Probably that's the reason why you got totally different result when you translate again to the original language. Also, due to cultural reason, some jokes are very touch to understand too. For example, when I didn't learn English and had no idea of foreign cultures before, I couldn't understand any of jokes in many movies or TV shows even I saw the subtitles in Korean.
I think many of translators are trying to make a good way to understand it in their own way, I mean for example, Korean way and style. So the meaning can be changed.
I often watch American films with japanese subtitles.
In many cases, the subtitles are helpful. but I think it's the best to watch them without subtitle, because it means understand your culture, too.
Especially comedy scene we change the sentence (brcause we can understand it), and they miss some words/nuance.
When i'm watching the movies of US, the subtitles are very helpful to learning English.
The subtitles are slightly sometimes different from English that I understand.
I really need the subtitles. But I was trusting that until before read those answers.If those were wrong translation..... hummmm I really hope that those are not wrong:D
