The Shogun translation thread.

[George K]

I loved, just LOVED, Shogun. It's a masterpiece of television.

But...there was something interesting. The native Japanese woman, "Mariko" is assigned to be translator for the anjin - Englishman navigator, John Blackthorne.

I found it fun how the translation conveyed what he was saying to the native Japanese without actually using his words. Blackthorne, of course, is oblivious to this in the beginning.

So, on Twitter, there's an ongoing theme of translations from the anjin.

For example...

The anesthesiologist:

[taiwan_girl]

I have done a lot of real time translation and it is hard and I understand going for the shortest answer possible. LOL

One funny story is that I was one time asked to help translate for police who had raided a "massage" studio. They were telling me all the porn-type services that ladies offered, and I had to translate them. It was pretty embarassing and some I didn't even know what they were, so had to ask the police to describe it better so I knew what they were talking about. I certainly had a red face.

[George K]

@taiwan_girl said in The Shogun translation thread.:

I have done a lot of real time translation and it is hard and I understand going for the shortest answer possible. LOL

If you have a HULU account, or search around on YouTube, you might find examples of what is really said on Shogun. I'd love to hear your impression of how true-to-life the translations are.

Again, Shogun is fabulous.

Link to video

[Mik]

What I liked about it was how she made his rough language into socially acceptable phrases but still conveyed it honestly. Cultural adaptations.

[Axtremus]

@Mik said in The Shogun translation thread.:

What I liked about it was how she made his rough language into socially acceptable phrases but still conveyed it honestly. Cultural adaptations.

I do not consider the examples shown in the video "honest" translation; rather, they are manipulative -- well-meaning perhaps, but still manipulative.

Actually, I think the script writers tried too hard and injected these nuances unnecessarily; but hey, they impressed some people and who am I to complain if the show sells well in the entertainment market?

Imagine ChatGPT doing that for you.
Imagine Spanish or sign language translators doing that for Presidential addresses.
All sort of ethical questions would be raised; George might even ask if we elect the man or the translators.

[89th]

I look forward to watching this series. I've seen a few scenes and it seems great. And as a total aside... I was a huge fan of The Last Samurai. Absolutely beautiful movie, fantastic soundtrack... and Sanada is a key character in that film, and of course a lead in Shogun.

[bachophile]

Anyone know why some personal names, (Yabu for example) was changed to something similar, longer, but not as it is in the book. Also several others had name changes although others were left as is.