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As a Lithuanian, I often find myself baffled by the way we translate foreign movie titles. In our country, Superbad became Hard NutsEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was transformed to The Power of Feelings, and This is the End was renamed to Christmas Cakes, Drugs, and Sex. Turns out, we're not the only ones doing this.

Even though the task of translating a movie title to a local audience seems like a fairly simple one, handled by one of those fancy types who speak more than one language, it's really complex. So much so that it sometimes makes the story sound like a totally different thing. Continue scrolling this list by Bored Panda and see for yourself.

As one linguist said, while the practice of translation is always a work of adaptation, it is much more so when it comes to translating movie titles. For instance, how should the Russian villain in a typical Hollywood production be presented in Moscow cinemas? And what do we do about cultural references?

In addition, there is the fact that the title of a movie is supposed to summarize and condense a two-hour story. Therefore, the translator must rifle through nuances, overtones, examples of polysemy, as well as a number of other approaches.

#3

Meth Dad (Slovakia)

Meth Dad (Slovakia)

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A.M. Pierre
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It sounds like the sitcom version of the show. “Next week on ‘Meth Dad’: Can Walter handle drug dealers, watching his kids for a day, AND his nosy neighbor? Find out on ‘Meth Dad’!”

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What makes it even more difficult is that the reader has no context to understand the translated title of the film; a title should be evocative and should work with no other references than its own semantic values and connotations. The translator can't use contextual elements to supplement or clarify the meaning.

The translation of movie titles involves not only retaining/giving it meaning, but there are also rhythmic constraints (in this case, this comes closer to literary translation and more specifically, poetic) and commercial ones (bringing us closer to marketing translation). It's a minefield.

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#4

It's Raining Falafel (Israel)

It's Raining Falafel (Israel)

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#6

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Behaved Very Nicely Around Me (Malaysia)

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Behaved Very Nicely Around Me (Malaysia)

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#7

Santa Is A Pervert (Czech Republic)

Santa Is A Pervert (Czech Republic)

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#8

Mom, I Missed My Plane (France)

Mom, I Missed My Plane (France)

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Giulia
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yoooo in italy too lmao "mamma ho perso l'aereo" = "mom, i missed THE plane" in this case

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TheDankBoi 69
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's how it's called in Spain, too. But in Hispanic America it's called "Mi Pobre Angelito" which translates to "My Poor Little Angel"

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Chiduru Okubo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Taiwan: "The Kid of the House" (as in, changed from Chinese version of "man of the house")

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María Hermida
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Argentina it was "My poor little angel". Yeah! Little angel! 😂😂😂

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Mónica Elisabeth Sacco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Argentina: "My poor little angel" (Mi pobre angelito). No reference to being home alone.

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Tahani
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually it is Maman, j’ai raté l’avion. Mom, I missed the plane, not my plane.

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#9

If You Leave Me, I'll Erase You (Italy)

If You Leave Me, I'll Erase You (Italy)

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#10

My Partner With The Cold Snout (Germany)

My Partner With The Cold Snout (Germany)

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#12

Super Power Dare Die Team (China)

Super Power Dare Die Team (China)

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Vic
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like a catch phrase a power ranger would use..

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#13

The Unbelievable Trip In A Wacky Aeroplane (Germany)

The Unbelievable Trip In A Wacky Aeroplane (Germany)

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#14

Rita Heyworth, Key To Escape (Finland)

Rita Heyworth, Key To Escape (Finland)

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Wyn Williams
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Works both ways, a Finnish film called girl you will be a star was translated to English as beauty and the beast :) the translator also changed a lot of what was said as apparently he didn't like the movie

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#16

My Boyfriend Is A Psycho (Russia)

My Boyfriend Is A Psycho (Russia)

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#17

This Hitman Is Not As Cold As He Thought (China)

This Hitman Is Not As Cold As He Thought (China)

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#18

Six Naked Pigs (China)

Six Naked Pigs (China)

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#20

The Hole Of Malkovich (Japan)

The Hole Of Malkovich (Japan)

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#21

If You Drink, Don't Marry! (Brazil)

If You Drink, Don't Marry! (Brazil)

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kathoco
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

France: Very bad trip (so the title is changed but it's still in English, not French)

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#26

Captain Supermarket (Japan)

Captain Supermarket (Japan)

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#29

American Virgin Man (China)

American Virgin Man (China)

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#30

Full Of The Nuts (Germany)

Full Of The Nuts (Germany)

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