Professional Frustration
Enough is enough.
Even more so than I already was, I am now determined to become employed in the world of translation, and specifically in subtitling. As I have always had affinity with the English and Dutch languages, it make my toes curl when I see some of the horrendous mistakes that appear in the subtitles on Dutch TV and even buy-to-own DVD's. Is it just me or have these translation companies hired some of the DUMBEST people on earth... who seem to have no clue as to what is currently going on the in English and American- speaking countries, the differences between the two, SPELLING OF THE DUTCH LANGUAGE(!!!), and the global cultural status quo.
By this time, you should be gagging for a few examples. I shall indulge.
First off, the
world famous Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, should NOT be translated into Dutch as the "Charles Brug". History teaches us that there was no significant person in Czech history named "Charles" (in Czech or Dutch anyway ;-)). No no no, a bit of general knowledge and/ or research shows us
that this is known as the "Karelsbrug" (in Czech: "Karlův most"), named after King Charles the Fourth (KAREL IV, dus!), who also lay the first stone in 1357, on July 9th, at exactly 5.31 a.m. (1-3-5-7/9-7/5-3-1). Just so you know.
Next up: Pulp Fiction. Being a movie nerd, I know this little gem by heart and solely have the subtitles on for sheer "entertainment". When Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) tells Vincent Vega (John Travolta) to "Back off, I'm getting a little pissed here" (just before they pay Brett (CHECK OUT THE BIG BRAIN!!") and his friends a visit) , he does NOT mean that the lads have already been on a drinking binge (at "seven twenty-two in the A.M.", mind you) and that he is already getting drunk ("pissed" in British English --> translated in Dutch as "'n beetje dronken") - no, he means, of course, he's getting what the English would refer to as "a bit pissed OFF" (as in "mad" or "agitated") --> (oftewel "kwaad", of nog liever "pissig").
This was
brought to my attention by a friend of mine (who occasionally shares my cynicism): when Americans refer to a "farm" as being part of a professional sports organization, this should NOT, I repeat NOT be translated literally into "een boerderij" - unless you're thinking of an unfortunate agricultural entrepreneur who owns his professional establishment in the near vicinity of Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field. It would refer to the training system American
sports organizations have, wherein future ballplayers are trained and educated within that organization - which can be best described in Dutch as "een jeugdopleiding" or, somewhat more informally: "uit eigen kweek".
Also, interpreting the phrase "raising the stakes" as "de palen hoger zetten" would be completely and utterly wrong. It's an expression used in the world of gambling (or other kinds of competitive activities) and should be "de inzet verhogen".
I will not go into spelling mistakes or violations of verb conjugations... too many to mention.
This sh*t annoyes the crap outta me. My work seems to be cut out for me.
Even more so than I already was, I am now determined to become employed in the world of translation, and specifically in subtitling. As I have always had affinity with the English and Dutch languages, it make my toes curl when I see some of the horrendous mistakes that appear in the subtitles on Dutch TV and even buy-to-own DVD's. Is it just me or have these translation companies hired some of the DUMBEST people on earth... who seem to have no clue as to what is currently going on the in English and American- speaking countries, the differences between the two, SPELLING OF THE DUTCH LANGUAGE(!!!), and the global cultural status quo.
By this time, you should be gagging for a few examples. I shall indulge.
First off, the
world famous Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, should NOT be translated into Dutch as the "Charles Brug". History teaches us that there was no significant person in Czech history named "Charles" (in Czech or Dutch anyway ;-)). No no no, a bit of general knowledge and/ or research shows usthat this is known as the "Karelsbrug" (in Czech: "Karlův most"), named after King Charles the Fourth (KAREL IV, dus!), who also lay the first stone in 1357, on July 9th, at exactly 5.31 a.m. (1-3-5-7/9-7/5-3-1). Just so you know.
Next up: Pulp Fiction. Being a movie nerd, I know this little gem by heart and solely have the subtitles on for sheer "entertainment". When Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) tells Vincent Vega (John Travolta) to "Back off, I'm getting a little pissed here" (just before they pay Brett (CHECK OUT THE BIG BRAIN!!") and his friends a visit) , he does NOT mean that the lads have already been on a drinking binge (at "seven twenty-two in the A.M.", mind you) and that he is already getting drunk ("pissed" in British English --> translated in Dutch as "'n beetje dronken") - no, he means, of course, he's getting what the English would refer to as "a bit pissed OFF" (as in "mad" or "agitated") --> (oftewel "kwaad", of nog liever "pissig").
This was
brought to my attention by a friend of mine (who occasionally shares my cynicism): when Americans refer to a "farm" as being part of a professional sports organization, this should NOT, I repeat NOT be translated literally into "een boerderij" - unless you're thinking of an unfortunate agricultural entrepreneur who owns his professional establishment in the near vicinity of Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field. It would refer to the training system Americansports organizations have, wherein future ballplayers are trained and educated within that organization - which can be best described in Dutch as "een jeugdopleiding" or, somewhat more informally: "uit eigen kweek".
Also, interpreting the phrase "raising the stakes" as "de palen hoger zetten" would be completely and utterly wrong. It's an expression used in the world of gambling (or other kinds of competitive activities) and should be "de inzet verhogen".
I will not go into spelling mistakes or violations of verb conjugations... too many to mention.
This sh*t annoyes the crap outta me. My work seems to be cut out for me.
posted by Tim Adank at 3:26 AM
4 Comments:
I fully agree with you there, for me it's more a form of entertainment than annoyance, but still, it is a feckin' disgrace, translation companies (and their staff) get away with bullocks like this.
Why don't you get your ass out there and apply for that job?
Well..what else can I do but agree..we've talked about this numerous times and pointed things out to one another at our various trips to the 'ol movieplex...and like Ellen said: get that ass moving!
And that is exactly why I prefer watching a movie without subtitles.
Work cut out for you...
First of all I'd like to agree with you on the fact that most English - Dutch subtitling "sucks" therefore my advise would be "buy a version of the DVD without the subtitles" or "get your arse in fifth gear and rewrite all movie subtitling important enough to be rewritten".
Good luck !
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