Words help us to express ourselves. Imagine if we had no common language or had no idea how to let another party know our thoughts. Lost in Translation directed by Sofia Coppola covered the communication breakdown between two different culture. The film shot in modern Tokyo, Japan. It talks about Americans working in overseas.
The plot of the movie is Aging movie star Bob Harris (Bill Murray) goes to Tokyo to film a Suntory whisky advertisement. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is the young wife of a celebrity photographer on assignment in Tokyo. Left behind by her husband, John (Giovanni Ribisi), she is unsure of her present and her future and about the man she has married. Harris's own 25-year marriage is tired and lacking in romance. Harris and Charlotte meet in the bar of the hotel where they are both staying and strike up a friendship. The two bond through their adventures in Tokyo together, experiencing the differences between Japanese and American culture, and between their own generations.
In Japan, everyone speaks Japanese. It’s similar to an American whose mother tongue is English. Imagine putting two different people coming from two different areas and living under the same location.
This was one of the scene played in the show.
The concept of "lost in translation" occurs throughout the film with a number of meanings.[1] Bob (Bill Murray), a Japanese director (Yutaka Tadokoro), and an interpreter (Takeshita) are on a set, filming the Suntory whisky commercial--specifically the Hibiki 17 Year whisky. In several exchanges, the director speaks several long sentences with passion, followed by a brief, inadequate translation from the interpreter. The scene (like all the film's Japanese dialogue) is played without subtitles.
Director [in Japanese, to the interpreter]: The translation is very important, O.K.? The translation.
Interpreter [in Japanese, to the director]: Yes, of course. I understand.
Director [in Japanese, to Bob]: Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a
bottle of Suntory whisky 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, "Here's looking at you, kid," -- Suntory time!
Interpreter [In English, to Bob]: He wants you to turn, look in camera. O.K.?
Bob: Is that all he said?[2]
The above short scene is an example of a communication breakdown. With the additional kind help of an interpreter, the true meaning of the words is lost. The interpreter had changed the meaning of the words through simplification. During the short scene, Bill Murray had noticed non verbal cues shown by the director. Such as frowning, hand gestures, etc by the director of the advertisement. However, when he questioned the interpreter; her answer was short and crisp.
This reflected how over time meanings were lost over time. In reality, this could happen too. When one is unable to understand words of another party, one could still assume the content of the conversation by focusing on the non verbal cues.
Body language is a strong factor. From one’s eyes, the placement of the hands, etc. A lot could be addressed in a conversation. An additional cue would be the tone of the voice. From that one could predict how the speaker feels towards a topic.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHowever, non verbal cues are still very receiver based. A wave in the hand can mean a "hi" or a "no". Anod in the head can mean "yes" or just a perfunctory acknowlegdement.
ReplyDeleteHaving that in mind, looking at non verbal cues does not necessarily mean we would 100% know what the speaker is feeling or hinting. This is even more true in cross-culture settings. Hence, our prediction must factor in such considerations before making a correect jugdement of the speaker's non verbal cues. If not, I guess miscommunication would come in again, even without any words said.
could also be seen as a relationship that could not be translated. the unlikeliest of match in a foreign country...could only be articulated in a foreign country as they both find solace in the silence and comfort of each other.
ReplyDeleteperhaps this is is why sofia coppola in the end blurred out the last words that bill murray whispered into scarlett johansson's ears. something that we're not privvy of hearing.
Shawn,
ReplyDeleteyou have a point there. Even silence could be misread too. =)
Ava,
ReplyDeleteI went searching around about the ending part. It caught me in suspense! heh! =) Did you manage to find out exactly what bill murray said? Do share.
Japanese culture is so different that it’s impossible to blend in or go with the flow. On a cynical note, doesn't it feels like enthocentrism? That they reject the Japanese culture and seek to embrace their own culture instead.
ReplyDeleteCpt rrrwwaaahhh,
ReplyDeletethat would be going back to history after the world war 2. Remember the US vs Japan saga.
Ahh, WWII is too far away. We aren't that old. Abit closer is the recent Gulf War where US troops start to have pubs and etc near their own bases. Which is why enthocentrism kills.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it. The Jap culture did survive well with their own J-pop music and their ever traditional festives and garbs and the tea making ceremony.