New Hard Boiled DVD has dubtitles

MilesH · 07-18-2007, 10:16 PM

I picked up the new Dragon Dynasty edition of Hard Boiled today and to my shock it contains dubtitles (subtitles copied verbatim from the awful English dub track). They didn't even bother providing subtitles for the Cantonese dialogue. I'd hang on to your Criterion DVDs if you don't understand Cantonese because the dubtitles are a joke. I can’t believe DVD Beaver is actually recommending this DVD. I'm returning this POS to the store.

Russell G · 07-18-2007, 11:07 PM

did you try both subtitle tracks? It lists having subtitles and subs for the hearing impared. Just wondering if they are the same or not.

Cees Alons · 07-19-2007, 03:18 AM

Miles,

I'm sure I don't even understand the problem you're sketching, and that must be me.

Do you want Cantonese subtitles in Chinese characters as an option? In that case, I understand why you're disappointed, but I don't see how it could help people who "don't understand Cantonese".

Normally if I watch a DVD from a country I don't speak the language of, I choose the original language track and select subtitles of a language I do understand, often English.

So isn't that what they're offering?

Or are you dissatisfied with the quality of the translation (which is a totally different problem)?

Cees

Kris Z. · 07-19-2007, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cees Alons

Or are you dissatisfied with the quality of the translation (which is a totally different problem)?

This would be the problem. Dubtitles mean that the subtitles are not translated from the original language track, but just transcribed from the dubbed track. Sometimes it works OK, oftentimes the result can be quite terrible. Not only is there a chance you will get subtitles that are nowhere near representative of what is said in the original language, but occasionally dub tracks even have inserted or removed lines, or re-edited dialogue timing, meaning subtitles can show up when no one is speaking in the original, or no subtitle shows up when they are.

Cees Alons · 07-19-2007, 05:24 AM

Quote:

the subtitles are not translated from the original language track,

But the dubbing should have been.

So the real problem is a bad translation (when they did the dubbing)? Which can also occur, of course, when they translate to subtitles. BTW, even same-language subs aren't always one-to-one.

Cees

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Kris Z. · 07-19-2007, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cees Alons

But the dubbing should have been.

So the real problem is a bad translation (when they did the dubbing)? Which can also occur, of course, when they translate to subtitles. BTW, even same-language subs aren't always one-to-one.

Yes, but after the script has been translated for dubbing it must be adapted so it flows easily when spoken, and matches the time/lipflaps of the original dialogue in the new language. And this is where they often have to take liberties to make it fit better and also kind of "interpret" the script into their own words, often introducing or removing whatever parts the dubbing scriptwriter/director feels needs to be changed, and inconsistencies with the original language track are introduced.

Direct subtitle translations don't have anywhere near the same restrictions and are usually a much more literal and closer translation, and not often messed around with.

In short, and generalising a bit: true subtitles = translation, dubs/dubtitles = adaptation.

Russell G · 07-19-2007, 09:17 AM

that's interesting.

Do we have confirmation from anyone else that this release is botched?

PaulP · 07-19-2007, 10:02 AM

Doesn't this have two sets of English subtites?

Russell G · 07-19-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulP

Doesn't this have two sets of English subtites?

yeah I mentioned that alreadym, hence my inguiry into whether or not this is confirmed, as opposed to the lengthy discussion of what dub titles are.