Lost in Translation | Language

We see it all the time. Dubbed shows and movies with jokes falling flat among different audiences, YouTube videos of songs put through multiple languages in google translate, plays from different times and different worlds. These days, understanding Shakespeare is to understand a different time period of inside jokes.

“I don’t get it,” we say as we skim over a page of lines. “How is this funny?” we wonder as the cliff notes imply what we just read was a joke. And let’s be real, some of these jokes straight up aren’t funny, at least in the day and age of now.  The fact of the matter is that as the world changed, so did our humor and, more importantly, our language. What used to be said in ten words can now easily be said in five. And while the shorthand of today comes with its own nuances and expressions, it's also safe to say we've lost touch of the language of yesteryear. 

So how does one interpret material from way back when? How does one begin to understand metaphors from centuries past, especially when one has no interest in the subject matter? We make connections, find resources that translate the texts into something we can understand. Personally, I find schmoop an ideal source. The subtle hints of sarcasm and general freeform summaries of scenes and chapters have helped me understand content in ways SparkNotes and just powering through with the assigned has failed. 

But Mack, isn't that cheating?

So what if it is? Throughout my years of schooling, there's always been something taboo about admitting to not reading text as it's given. But if you sacrifice understanding for the prestige of doing something 'the right way', is it really the right way after all? 

Another example - anime. Now it's been a hot minute since I've watched any new shows. That being said, I remember the days of reading manga and the whole argument of dubs vs subs. Personally, I'm more of a dub person, mostly so I can do something else while I'm watching and not have to worry about missing something. Yet with dubs, and in some cases, subs, there are some jokes that are just too culture-specific to really land. Stuff you have to be involved in the genre for some time before you can catch on and even then it's nigh impossible to explain to an outsider. Now, there are some exceptions - Sgt Frog is one that comes to mind in particular. While the cultural-specific items and plot points are still there, the dub also went out of its way to come up with English alternatives to some of the jokes, making the viewing experience and the jokes fun for all. 

The same can be done for Shakespeare. Why, we've seen it done in some mediums. Don't understand Hamlet? Start with the Lion King. Romeo and Juliet got you confused? The gnomes have you covered.