Gorramit, Zhen Daomai: Language in the Verse

#1

inalasahl

Couch Potato

Posted Mar 12, 2006 @ 1:01 PM

So I haven't been able to find a comprehensive translation of the Chinese in the big damn movie yet. I do have the script book, but I know that on the show the literal meaning of the Chinese often differed from the script translations. I'm guessing it's the same for the movie. Anyone know?

I've always liked the faux-Western fusion. I could see language developing that way in some alternate universe where 18th & 19th-century terms were more mainstream in our time. It was fun getting some more of it in the movie and finding out which of my terminology guesses were right. "Nethers" is the one that most immediately springs to mind, but I'm sure there are more wholesome examples as well.

So, was the speech in movie as good as the show, worse or have you never liked the faux-Western stuff?

#2

Hegel88

Stalker

Posted Mar 12, 2006 @ 2:05 PM

Have you checked Firefly-Serenity Chinese Pinyinary? The movie translations are here.

#3

inalasahl

Couch Potato

Posted Mar 12, 2006 @ 2:35 PM

Thanks, Hegel88.
I find their translation of the safe word interesting as Joss has said that his understanding was that it meant "All good children go to sleep." Of course, he wasn't even sure what language it was so he might not be the best authority.

#4

skripka2

Fanatic

Posted Mar 12, 2006 @ 6:10 PM

I thought the safe word was supposed to be Russian--Eta koorim na shmech. Literally, it's supposed to be "That's laughter for chickens."

#5

KernelM

Loyal Viewer

Posted Mar 12, 2006 @ 7:01 PM

I find their translation of the safe word interesting as Joss has said that his understanding was that it meant "All good children go to sleep." Of course, he wasn't even sure what language it was so he might not be the best authority.

I must admit I don't remember ever seeing that. I just remember the Old Russian/"that's laughter for chickens" explanation from when Joss hung out at a bar in Australia.

#6

marlaas

Posted Jul 4, 2006 @ 4:37 PM

Yay, I'm so happy this thread exists, as dialogue and language is often the facet of any show I care about most and usually the biggest factor in determining whether I'll dislike the show, love it or somewhere in between.

So, was the speech in movie as good as the show, worse or have you never liked the faux-Western stuff?

I'm definitely in the 'never liked it' camp. In theory, I'm intrigued by the idea of mixing 'down home Western-speak' with modern English and Chinese phrases. However, IMO the execution was a mess. Maybe some of my problem relates to expectations: IMO, writing sharp, snarky and uncommonly quotable dialogue was always Joss's greatest strength, so even the slightest awkwardness was bound to jump out at me and disappoint me more than if Firefly had been helmed by someone else.

Even now, however, rewatching when I already know not to expect Buffy-esque dialogue from this show, the language often seems really clunky and, for lack of a better word, just plain 'off.' The cast is game enough, but often seems even more ill at ease delivering lines filled with "aint"s and random Chinese phrases than I do at hearing them. Again, I do appreciate the theory about how and why the language would have evolved that way based on China being the other superpower, etc., but I just can't help feeling disappointed by the execution. The self-consciously blended, clunky dialogue is the one thing that keeps me from absolutely falling in love with the show.

Edited by marlaas, Jul 4, 2006 @ 4:38 PM.

#7

HawkMoth

Video Archivist

Posted Jul 4, 2006 @ 4:59 PM

I think the movie and the series come fairly close to being equal in how well and how badly the language fusion works; however I felt there were more clunky moments in the movie, and a few incidents (I'd have to sit down and record them while watching to be specific) where the faux-Western was way overdone, compared to the show. I remember thinking it was as if Joss had come up with some new expressions/words instead of relying on ones from the series (which long-time fans would have been more used to and comfortable with). As much as I love the introductory segment on Serenity, it's a shame that everyone seems to be delivering their dialogue too quickly, and that the noise of the rough reentry requires them to be unnaturally loud, thus detracting from the effect of their speech patterns and the 'verse-speak.

My absolute favorite language moment in the movie is Mal's response in Chinese when Simon decks him after the initial heist. The intensity of Nathan's delivery is just perfect.

The safe word annoys the heck out of me.