Hollywood Gets Lost in Translation

In class we talked about how it is difficult to translate words into another language because words can have more than one meaning, idioms don't make sense, and certain words have dimensions.  According to an article I read in USA Today, movie titles are getting lost in translation in other countries.  In Mexico, people are lining up in theaters to see The Knight of the Night, known in the US as The Dark Knight.  When translating movie titles, Hollywood caters to their audience.  For example, the movie Knocked Up has entirely different titles across the world.  In Roman Catholic Peru, the movie is titled Slightly Pregnant, but in China the movie is bluntly labeled One Night, Big Belly.  Below is the full article from USA Today..while reading it consider, are words really "lost in translation?" and does language carry culture?

Hollywood Gets Lost in Translation Article 

Power: Oni

The source of wind, power, and life all falls under the name Oni, whose name originates from the Taiga tribe.  Wind is significant throughout the entire novel.  The author displays the power of wind during the hurricane, the uncertainty of wind when Omishto is out on the boat in the fog, and life the wind is able to give, which is explained in the Taiga version of the creation story.  Wind is everywhere, but it is not visible.  This belief in wind and the knowledge we have of it brings a question to mind.  Why do we have such an easy time believing in wind, but such a difficult time believing in God?  Both God and wind are invisible, so neither fall under the "seeing is believing" category.  One might answer that we believe in wind because its effects are visible, such as the debris it carries after a hurricane.  But can't we see the effects of God as well?  Miracles happen everyday and they are visible signs of God's love for us.  Personally, I feel that God and wind are intertwined.  When I look for visible and tangible signs of God, I think of nature and all of the beauties within.  While God breathes life into each individual, the wind sustains the natural world by giving off oxygen and other chemicals living things need to survive.  After reflecting on the novel, I have discovered that the importance of Oni in the traditions and beliefs of the Taiga tribe parallels the significant role God plays in my life.  

Power

While studying Power in class, the topic of creation stories came up.  I began to compare and contrast the Taiga's creation story with the creation story from the Bible.  The Taiga's creation story centers around panthers.  Both the Taigas and Catholics respect and admire a divine-like being.  The Taigas believe that the panther is a symbol of power and strength, and they look to the panther in times of need.  Omishto recalls that the scrape of the panther claw can cure sickness and disease.  The Catholics have a symbol of strength as well: God.  Catholics seek God for advice and lean on Him during times of despair.  Both the panther and God are sought after for their gifts of healing.  

The topic of creation stories also led me to philosophically ponder what belief truly is.  Both the Catholics and the Taigas center their religion around belief.  There is not factual evidence that God created the world, nor are there facts about the rebirth of panthers.  So what leads either group of followers to believe?  Faith.  In order to believe in something, one must have faith that it is true.  Although there are countless religions and belief systems, one uniting factor is that we all want to have faith in something or other.  We have a natural desire to place our trust in something, whether or not we have evidence to back it up.

Below is a song written by John Mayer called "Belief".  The song includes the lyrics..take a look!!   

This Blessed House Part 2

Towards the end of class we began to discuss performances and whether or not we are always performing for others.  According to Wikipedia, a performance generally comprises an event in which one group of people (the performer or performers) behave in a particular way for another group of people (the audience).  I feel that I can state with confidence that every individual, at one time or another, has put on a show in order to cater to another's needs.  Some performances are carried out because of the person's free will, such as acting in a play.  Other performances are forced unwillingly upon people; students must write formal papers in order to make the grade in certain classes.  The more difficult question is whether or not people are always performing.  Although I have an opinion, I cannot give a factual correct answer to this question.  I believe that whether or not a person constantly performs depends on their personality.  

In "This Blessed House", Sanjeev is concerned with outer appearance.  People like Sanjeev, uptight and prim and proper, are more likely to think about what other people think of them.  People categorized under this "box-like" personality are probably performers, showing other people what they want to see.  Twinkle, however, with her carefree personality, would probably be less likely to put on a show for others because she is happy just the way she is.  Other "squiggle-like" personality types would also be less likely to be in a constant state of performing. 

DSLC Conference

We were reminded of the upcoming tornado season at the opening of the DSLC conference.  President Mooney was introduced to speak just as the tornado sirens began to scream outside.  In typical Mooney fashion, she handled the situation gracefully and took the opportunity to educate the audience about the importance of taking safe weather precautions during the spring season.  President Mooney discussed the importance of globalization here at Saint Mary's College.  She explained why the chief focus of the DSLC is to focus on globalization.  The DSLC spreads awareness about diversity and the impact it has in our lives.  Both President Mooney and the DSLC believe that globalization is beneficial because diversity within the classroom allows for more perspectives and therefore richer discussions, which leads to better preparation for the future.  Most women that attend Saint Mary's will go on to work or study outside of the US.  The DSLC prepares SMC Chicks for the future by focusing on the value of bringing together peoples of the world.

On a larger scale, Obama is doing his part to contribute to globalization.  The president comes from a Kenyan father and an American mother, which I assume heightens his interest in international affairs.  Not only has Obama traveled to Kenya and Jekarta and lived in Indonesia, but he also graduated from Columbia with a degree in international affairs.  The president stresses the importance of welcoming free trade and globalization because they will benefit our economy.

I have multiple views on the issue of globalization.  I feel that expanding trade should only be supported if the countries are abiding by proper labor laws.  It would be unfortunate for the US to take advantage of another country's cheap goods if the producers of the goods were not treated fairly.  I also feel that globalization has done wonders for the rising power of women.  Countries, such as Saudi Arabia, that prohibit women from participating are lagging behind.  Modernized countries have finally come around to valuing women.  Societies have allowed women to take part in education and join the work force.  Women's contributions to these modernized societies have led to a dramatic progression both socially and economically.  I am pleased with DSLC for recognizing the issue of globalization and the benefits that come from having a diverse society.

Attached is a short clip of Obama's views on globalization.  Take a look!!