One of my favourite films is the Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell, so I was really excited to get a copy of the sequel Ghost in the Shell II: Innocence recently, and really bummed to find it was only in Japanese. So I thought I was being well clever downloading English subtitles from the internet and creating a new subtitled DVD. I’ve never been so confused by a film. Here are some random quotes which demonstrate why…
It is impossible for a robot to chang into a horse after a field trip
I am a man useless, the same as you. I wear shoes different from you
I never wanted to be a robot. When you cried for birds, you cried for yourself. People with voice is happy
Solitary rejects evil. Need few things. Just like the elephant in forest
Profound stuff. Don’t trust some kid on the internet to translate Japanese films about existentialism.
Alas my RSI problem hasn’t gone away as much as I would have hoped, and I’m still trying to avoid computers. A friend of mine is giving me some physio and says I have tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. I like that…makes me sound really sporty.
My song for this week is the RJD2 remix of The F Word by Cannibal Ox. I know how he feels. It’s not the f-word you’re all thinking of.
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:47 pm
just found your blog
definitely have put seeing ghost in the shell on my to do list… love some of your photos esp the scenery ones! hope the rsi is not too painful this wk & work’s ok. maybe see you soon 
anna
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:10 pm
i have a version of the movie with correct english subtitles, if you are interested. we shoiuld meet up for jumbalaya some time, i cook it from scratch now:D
TP
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Hey Anna. If you are gonna watch Ghost in the Shell don’t be put off by the slightly violent first 30 secs…it’s a thoughtful film but it takes a bit of concentration. Cya round!
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 pm
TP – We gotta meet up, and now I got wheels its easily done. Will txt you
January 25th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Hey Rowan, how you keeping? I haven’t seen you in such a long time. I hope your doing well and the job is going well.
January 25th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I’m ok – job is going well. It has been ages. Really missing Emerge.
January 26th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
The best way to handle mis-translated text is to mistranslate it a few more times.
‘English:’
It is impossible for a robot to change into a horse after a field trip. I am a man useless, the same as you. I wear shoes different from you. I never wanted to be a robot. When you cried for birds, you cried for yourself. People with voice is happy. Solitary rejects evil. Need few things. Just like the elephant in forest
Into Chinese:
机器人是不可能转变成骏马经过实地考察. 我为人没用,你一样. 我跟你穿皮鞋. 我从未想要成为机器人. 当你哭了鸟类,你哭了吧. 残疾人是快乐的声音. 孤独拒绝邪恶. 需要几件事. 如同大象在森林
Back into English:
After the robot is not turning into horse-spot inspection. I am really useless. Like you. I told you to wear shoes. I never wanted to become a robot. When you cried fowl. you cry of the hour. people are happy voices. Lonely reject evil. need a few things. Like elephants in the forest
Or is it just me who finds this amusing?
January 26th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
LOL that is amusing…I might try running the Bible thru a few translations to see what I get!