I greet you. I have been translating and dubbing films, cartoons, and various videos in general in my free time for almost 6 years (you may have seen my blogs with videos “Additional credits" And "Additional footage"taken from my YouTube channel). In the latest episode of the program "Dog handlers“Comrade Solodilov accused me, and many of those who do the same thing as me, of being people who translate recent (or relatively recent) films for the sake of swearing. This is not so, you can easily find current films on torrents translated by such wonderful voice-over pioneers as Zhivov, Vizgunov, Serbin and others. Not long ago I watchedDallas Buyers Club"in Vizgunov’s translation it’s an excellent film, and in his translation it generally looks great. In addition, citizen Vizgunov translated it without swear, despite the fact that the characters in the film swear like shoemakers. Why do they translate for the sake of swearing?? No, because they themselves don’t swear in the voice acting. This means they do this for slightly different reasons:
1) Someone paid them for their work
2) Because they like it
3) Perhaps for the sake of correctness translation (as I, and I suspect, many of the same amateurs)
By the time of release "Dog handlers – humpbacked revolver"Maxim Solodilov and Vasily Galperov watched the film"Revolver" V mine translation from the link that I gave them in the donation. Yes, I admit, there are flaws in terms of voice acting – diction, excessive volume and the like, but to say that I translated this film for the sake of swearing is not correct. I translate films because I like the film, and the official translation not correct, in some places.
In this blog I want to analyze the translation of this film (Revolver) having walked from beginning to end along rude errors in translation (the rest are not errors but simply synonyms, translated differently but retained the meaning): showing the original text, the correct translation, and official (there is also a translation by Glanz/Korolev, but it’s just a copy-paste dubbing). At the end of this text I will give a link to this film in my translation.
To begin with, the voice acting of what is not in the film, namely “Two years later"at the beginning of the film after a short speech by the main character, and "Later that evening"in the middle of the movie. On the screen there are such inscriptions? No. Maybe the narrator said this? No. Then why bother chewing it out for the audience?? We are not so stupid, we ourselves would have guessed that some period of time had passed.
Maybe I had some other version of this film, that’s why I made this remark (for some reason I had inscriptions with quotes in German), maybe I’m wrong to find fault with this. Okay, next.
Elevator scene
• Original: Now I’ve got to spend two minutes shaking and sweating, like a crackwhore clocking for a fix.
• Dubbed: Now for the next two minutes I have to sweat and shake like a..the last whore at the sight of a dose.
• @DD: Now I’m going to have to sweat and shake like this for the next two minutes drug addict whore cackling for a fix.
Not every last whore will shake at just one form dose, that’s why Jake said "shake like a drug addict whore" cackling for the sake of doses". Yes, she is the last whore, yes, she can shake at the sight of a dose, but the main character compares himself to her because she begs dose, he internally begs to let him out of the elevator. (SPGS) Next.
Jake at the table
• Original: – Rade, how much you got?
— What’s that got with you?
— Toss you for it?
— He’s got you there Rade
• Dubbing: – Well, I’m glad how many there are?
– I don’t understand what you have to do with it?
— Let’s play for everything.
— Well the challenge has been thrown.
• @DD: — I’m glad how much you have?
-What does this have to do with you??
— put it for you?
— He caught you Rada.
Why was this in the dubbing?? Why say everything at once without maintaining intrigue?? Not clear. He’s not trying to persuade Rad to make a bet, he’s taking him on as a show-off, that’s why Mr. D noticed “He caught you"(SPGS). Further.
At the same table
• Original: I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll exercise a bit of charity. Double or quits?
• Dubbing: Let’s do this, if you lose – double bet, if you win – in calculation.
• @DD: That’s what I’ll do, I’ll show a little generosity, double bet or pass.
How can he make a double bet if he loses everything?? He won’t have anything to bet on. Further.
• Original: Get rid of him
• Dubbing: Knock him out
• @DD: Get rid of him
Does he want to interrogate him or kill him, I don’t understand? Further.
In the hospital (second time)
• Original: They’re smart. Smart as a pair of little boy’s shoes.
• Dubbing: Oh, smart, smart, quirky devils.
This is the only phrase in my practice that put me in a stupor. The Internet does not give the meaning of this expression; it is not in any dictionary. Maxim said that it was a catchphrase, what kind of catchphrase is this that even my English teacher at work uses it, British, doesn’t know its meaning? Vasily suggested that “Smart as a schoolboy’s shoe/Smart as a felt boot”. This expression doesn’t make sense here, it’s dumb as a boot, but here it’s said that these two guys are so cunning and resourceful that they somehow got to this woman’s doctor. If you know 90% of the translation and meaning of the expression, please write in the comments so that I can calm down. Further.
At the card table (flashback)
• Original: Very funny George. This one will make you laugh.
• Dubbing: Very funny George. Now it’s my turn to joke.
• @DD: Very funny George. This will make you laugh.
Here I have a quibble with the literalness, the meaning is conveyed simply in the original, a more subtle hint that Jake is going to throw something out. Further.
In front of the motel
• Original: Their idea of discretion is to chose a motel whose clients are blood, come and afro sheen.
• Dubbing: By modest housing they mean a motel where the sick and wretched are kept.
• @DD: Their idea of discretion is to choose a motel whose clients are nothing but blood, jizz, and Afro hairspray.
Why are the sick and wretched? Because the original is too harsh for their tender ears. Further.
Meeting with Lily Walker
• Original: gamblingsitesnotongamstop.co.uk/ We’ve heard you might be having some problems.
• Dubbing: We found out what you have arose problems.
• @DD: We heard you may arise any problems.
There are no problems now, but can arise, because of Jake. Further
The story of the "cellmates"
• Original: My neighbors used to write down chess moves and concepts of the con in the back pages of books based on subjects like Theoretical Astrophysics Part Four, The mathematics of Quantum Mechanics. They just used them for the con.
• Dubbing: In prison I became addicted to books on the theory of chess and gambling. I also read more serious literature like theoretical astrophysics, especially the fourth part, and the mathematics of quantum mechanics. My neighbors respected them.
• @DD: My neighbors wrote down chess moves and trick concepts on the back pages of books like Theoretical Astrophysics Part Four, and The Mathematics of Quantum Mechanics. They just used them as a trick.
Yes, you are our mustachioed prodigy! Read such literature, especially the first book “on the theory of chess and gambling”. How do you know that your neighbors respected them?? I, of course, understand that in prison there is not much choice in reading, but it certainly should be somehow regulated what prisoners read. Who in their right mind would let a prisoner convicted of underground gambling read the “theory of chess gambling”? Such a book actually exists in nature? Further.
Thoughts after the first quote (about chess)
• Original: Hands down that’s the most radical concept I have ever heard of, and a part of me dies every time I think about it.
• Dubbing: This is the first time in my life that I have become a victim of such brutal experiences, every time I think about it something dies in me.
• @DD: Hands down, this is the most radical concept I’ve ever heard, and a part of me dies every time I think about it.
What experiences, what are you talking about?? Lipsing is not needed here, these are the character’s thoughts, what a gag?"Hands down, this is the most radical concept I’ve ever heard" means don’t perform, do nothing of your own free will, you – nobody, you have no will, do everything they say and shut up. Further.
In the old woman’s house
• Original: – Where are you?
— The old lady’s house
— Does she have it?
— Of course she doesn’t have it, She’s barely got a heartbeat. How the hell is this woman going to get that kind of money?
– That’s what she owes. Any furniture?
— No
—Take the dog.
— I’m not taking the dog
—Then take the TV
— The TV don’t work
—Then get your ass over here.
— How do you sleep at night?
• Dubbing: – Where are you?
– Currently at the old woman’s.
– She has money?
– Well, of course she doesn’t have them. Her heart is barely beating, where the hell is she going to get that kind of money??
– She owes us. She has furniture?
– There is nothing.
– Take the dog
– I won’t take the dog.
– Then TV
– It doesn’t work?
“Then get your ass over here.”.
— You didn’t get enough sleep today.
• @DD: – Where are you??
– In the old woman’s house
– She has them?
– Of course she doesn’t have them, she barely has a heartbeat. How the hell does this woman get that kind of money??
– She owes us. There is furniture?
– No
– Take the dog.
– I won’t take the dog.
– Then take the TV.
– It doesn’t work.
-Then get your ass over here!
— How do you sleep at night?
“You didn’t get enough sleep today” means that he’s just in a bad mood today, but he’s a kind-hearted person. “How do you sleep at night” means that this person, to put it mildly,, scum, and Jake is surprised by this. Further.
• Original: – How are we doing?
—Ask the man
• Dubbing: – How are you doing??
– Ask him
• @DD: – Well, how is it with us??
– Ask specialist.
I don’t know something? Doreen is a transsexual? The expression “Ask the man” is a derivative of “Call a guy” – “Call master/specialist». But the translators did not notice that there was a woman standing there. Further.
• Original: No thanks darling.
• Dubbing: Just don’t thank me.
• @DD: No thanks honey.
(thoughts of the old woman): What to be grateful for? I brought you tea, you brat. Further.
• Original: Time’s up, let’s go.
• Dubbing: Time has passed.
• @DD: Time’s up, let’s go.
Too literal translation, too. Apparently they did it for the sake of damn lip-synching. Further.
• Original: – Did you get anything from the old lady?
— No
— Did you get anything from Horowitz?
— No
– Why not?
– Because he didn’t have it
— Listen pal, either he pays or you pay
— I pay anyway
• Dubbing: — Took something from the old woman?
– No
– Did you take anything from Horowitz??
– No
– Why?
– Because they had nothing
– Listen buddy, either he pays or someone else
– I’m crying anyway
• @DD: — Took something from the old woman?
– No
– Did you take anything from Horowitz??
– No
– Why?
– Because he doesn’t have them
– Listen buddy, either he pays or You.
– I’m crying anyway.
What is this for?? For what? Meaning of the word "irony"Apparently they are not familiar. After all, it pays He, and not They. Further.
• Original: Hold tight Mr Green
• Dubbing: Learn Mr Green
• @DD: Hold on Mr Green
What to study? How do you drive? So he can do it anyway. Further.
We immediately omit the translation of the Japanese, because I don’t know it, I trusted the dubbing (I did it with subtitles), I only changed a couple of words for beauty (like Glanz) and that’s it. Only on VK, where I uploaded this film, it didn’t show subtitles because they are attached to the film as a file, and for the site I would have to write them directly onto the video. It seems to me that it’s even better that the Japanese speech is not translated at all, it gives more flavor to the film. Plus in some places you can barely hear them.
After talking with my brother on the phone
• Original: Change of plan. …Give it to Mr Green.
• Dubbing: Your turn. … Gun to Mr. Green.
• @DD: Changing the plan. … Give it to Mr. Green.
Here you can only shrug your shoulders, apparently they slapped it on as a fool. Further.
• Original: You can’t see what’s right on front of you. You’re supposed to be stiff, cold and horizontal, and you still don’t trust us?
• Dubbing: You Can’t See Beyond Your Nose. You’ve been dead for a long time, buddy. And you still don’t believe us.
• @DD: You can’t see what’s right in front of you. You must be tough, cold and even, and you still don’t believe us?
What does a dead man have to do with it?? Avi says that Jake should be tougher and cold-blooded, that is, be like them, because he gave them all the money and follows them around almost literally. Further.
Scene in the elevator (solo, after Avi’s words "The greatest scam he pulled was to make you believe that he was you")
• Original: – You ain’t me
– I am you!
—You’re not me.
— Come on! Your best fucking friend!
• Dubbing: – I am you
– You are not me!
– Give it up.
– I’m your best friend!
• @DD: – You are not me
– I am you!
– You are not me
– Give it up! Your best fucking friend!
Apparently the text was mixed up in places, either by the translator or the voice actor, and because of this the picture is spoiled. Further.
Paul came to Jake’s brother
• Original: – You know why we’re here?
— Serpent!
— I said, do you know why we’re here?
• Dubbing: — How are you?
— Fine!
– I’m asking, do you know why we came??
• @DD: — Do you know why we are here??
— Snake!
– I say you know why we are here?
Why did they do this?? Lipsing so that it burns with a blue flame, and at the same time they add an ironic under-joke. Further.
Last meeting with Lily Walker
• Original: – Everything is under control. I need more time.
— It’s anything but under control, isn’t it Mr Macha?
• Dubbing: — I have everything under control, I need a couple more days.
— Everything is already under Mister Mac’s control.
• @DD: — Everything is under control, I just need a little time.
— This is completely out of Mister Mac’s control.
Sentences that are only slightly similar in meaning, but are strikingly different in the presentation of this very meaning. Further.
The Recycler (Sorter) rebelled
• Original: – Sorter, we’re going to have to take the girl.
– Of course you have. Now all you’ve got to do is come and get her.
• Dubbing: — Recycler, We have to pick up the girl.
– Well, of course they should. Just try to get close to her first.
• @DD: — Sorter, we need to pick up the girl.
– Of course it is necessary. All you need to do is come and pick it up.
They made the sentence too obvious, it could have been verbatim, anyway, when the Recycler answers, we look at his belly. Lipsing. Further.
Jake and Avi in the car
• Original: – What are we doing here?
— One last treat, and bring the powder.
• Dubbing: – Why are we here??
– Let’s return the powder, there will be joy.
• @DD: – What are we doing here??
— One last trick, and bring the powder.
The trick here is a hint to the ending of the film, but the translators considered What? What a trick? Fuck it! Further.
Revelation
• Original: We didn’t do this because we like you. We did this because, we are you.
• Dubbing: They didn’t take you because they loved you. And all because we are you.
• @DD: We didn’t do this because we like you. We did this because we are you.
"Come on Jack, what love?“It’s true, it’s not about love but about sympathy. Strong sympathy but not love. Yes, the expression “we are you” gives an overtone of love, but saying it head-on is bad manners, and is also perceived differently.
These are, in my opinion, the most serious errors in translation that have ever been made. The rest are from the category “sounds better verbatim”. Here is a video An excerpt from the program “Blue Phil 193 (special issue): series “Sofia”, second part”. Dmitry Puchkov talks about film translations, and I fully support him in this regard, he voiced almost all my thoughts on this matter.
As I promised, the film “Revolver” itself is in my translation, I worked on it for 2 years, initially I planned to voice it with 2 voices, but the second person disappeared from the radar.
