Friday, April 09, 2004

Literally Lost in Translation

If you've seen the movie "Lost in Translation", you'll remember the scene when the Bill Murray character is filming a whiskey commercial in Japan, and can't help but feel his translator is not giving him the director's complete instructions. Here's the translation of the director's actual words:
DIRECTOR: Mr. Bob-san. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whiskey on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in "Casablanca," saying, "Cheers to you guys,"* Suntory time!

INTERPRETER: He wants you to turn, look in camera. O.K.?

BOB: That's all he said?
Read the rest at Naked Translations.

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