Job Discussion Forums

[MeyeQui]

Okay, so if I'm in a video store and wanted to find out if a particular DVD has english subtitles, how can I ask? Usually, the language info on the back cover is in Kanji so I'm cluelesss... I'm learning though. I really want to start exploring some Asian movies. I at least know that some of the more popular movies offer english subs.

So, how's this: Kore wa eiga no eigo "??subtitles??" desu ka? Or can I point to the kanji that I think means english subs and say "Kanji no eigo desu ka?" I know, pathetic but I've only been here a little while.

Your help would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day, where ever you are.

[spidey]

Good try, but you have it a little backwards...

If you just say, "English?" while you are pointing to the video, I'm sure they will understand what you mean.
If you want to speak the local lingo, give these a try, "kono eiga wa eigo desuka?" or "kore wa eigo no eiga desuka?" Either will serve you just fine.

Good luck

S

[JimDunlop2]

Umm.... Take it from me: you would be best off learning the kanji for EIGO and NIHONGO. It will save you a ton of trouble in the short and long run. Here is a lesson in: HOW TO READ A DVD JACKET AT THE VIDEO STORE FOR FUN AND PROFIT.

On the back of MOST DVDs you will see a couple of icons that it behooves you to know by heart.

Please refer to the following picture:




First, let's look at the picture of a disc on the far left hand side of the frame. It shows you which languages the DVD is in.

The circle with the number 2: (2)) means: there are two soundtracks. The first one says: orijinaru (EIGO) (dorubi saraundo)

Notice the kanji for EIGO in parenthesis? The first character is for English the second character "GO" means language and you will find that common to any language, whether it be NIHONGO (Japanese) or whatever...

The second item says: NI HON GO in kanji.

So what this tells you is that there are 2 soundtracks: the original English, and dubbed Japanese. Both are presented in Dolby Digital surround.

Next frame you see a box that looks like a TV with a "2" in the middle and 4 little boxes underneath it. This tells you what subtitles are offered on the DVD. Once again, 1. NIHONGO (in kanji) means you have Japanese subtitles available (probably the default setting is for them to be turned on when you play the disc) and 2. EIGO. So you have English subs too (closed captioning if you prefer)....

Then, next to that, 16:9 indicates the film is presented in "Academy Flat" widescreen format. Unless you have a wide TV, you will get those black bars running across the top and bottom of your screen.

Next to that, Dolby Digital is the sound certification. If you have a 5.1 surround speaker setup in your home, you can take advantage of this feature. If you don't that's OK. It will still work.

The far icon indicates region. Notice this DVD is in Region 2 format -- which means it's made to play on Japanese DVD players. If I try to bring this back to Canada with me, I will need either a Japanaese, or a Region-free (or region-hacked) DVD player in order to play it. NTSC is the video system used in N. America and Japan (versus PAL which is used mainly in Europe).

The picture I was referring to (if you didn't see it embedded into the message is HERE: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~dk8a-jns/misc/DVDcoverexample.jpg
[/b]

Some DVDs (if they are native to Japan) will not have the above info. If that's the case it probably means there are no subtitle/dubbing options. Most anime is Japanese only unless purchased outside of Japan...

Also, many FOREIGN movies will be dubbed/subbed into Japanese but NOT into English -- for example Amelie (French/JPN) or Quo Vadis (Portuguese/JPN).... Then you are just outta luck.

SOME Japanese films are presented with English subs but I'd say less than 50%. Those that are are generally pretty decent.

Finally, my only other comment - if you want to ASK whether a particular title is in English (despite everything): Kono DVD wa eigo-de desu ka? Should be sufficient to make yourself understood.

[bshabu]

The word for subtitles in Japanese is "Ji-ma-ku"

[Gordon]

Thanks Jim for the explanation. I always wondered what all that information means on the box.

[carlspackler]

FYI, if you're renting a VHS tape or if you're going to see a movie at the theatre, two key terms are

ji-maku supa 字幕スーパー　　Subtitles in Japanese
(soundtrack in original language)

nihongo fukikae 日本語吹き替え　　　soundtrack dubbed in Japanese
(no subtitles)

These are especially important for movies that might appeal to children, like The Incredibles.

Also, if you're looking for a particular English-language title, but don't know the name in Japanese try

http://www.cinema-junction.com/

Plug in the title in English and out comes the title in Japanese. Of course, you have to be able to read the Japanese, or you could copy it down on a piece of paper and give it to the video store clerk.