DYRL subtitle question

[azrhino]

I have a question about translation of "Macross: Do You Remember Love?"

I have seen three different subtitled versions and there is one scene I would like clarification on.

After Max defeats Milia on the Meltrandi ship, they hear Minmay's song.

Max walks towards Milia and says "Beautiful" (referring to Milia)

In subtitle version one, Milia replys "Handsome" (referring to Max).

In subtitle version two, Milia replys "Beautiful" (referring either to Minmay's song or Max, depending on interpretaion).

In subtitle version three, Milia replys "Beautiful?" (as a question, seemingly not understanding the concept).

As near as I can tell, Max and Milia say the same word in Japanese, so the question is, which is the more accurate translation?

[Skull Leader]

I believe Milia was more or less asking Max what it meant, as the concept was probably foreign to a Meltrandi. They say the exact same thing ("Utskushi"), and unless there is a difference based on gender (someone more up to speed on Japanese could jump in here), I don't see why she would be ascribing that adjective to him when the concept didn't exist in their culture before then.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Skull Leader

[MacrossCN]

I have a question about translation of "Macross: Do You Remember Love?"

I have seen three different subtitled versions and there is one scene I would like clarification on.

After Max defeats Millia on the Meltrandi ship, they hear Minmay's song.

Max walks towards Millia and says "Beautiful" (referring to Millia)

Max: 美しい~ = Beautiful.

Milia: ああ… 美しい… = Beautiful?

Edited August 21, 2014 by MacrossCN

[Dynaman]

What clue is there that what Miilia said was a question while what Max said was a statement. In English we put the interrogative spin on the pronounciation - I could not hear any difference between the way Max said it and the way Miilia did? Is there something we need to listen for?

[Skull Leader]

I think he's talking about the subtitle... one of the Japanese subtitle translations puts the interrogative before the word when she says it.

That isn't the only inflection we use... if we are trying to illicit an explanation from someone, just repeating their last word and trailing off can have the same effect as asking as a question, but when one does not expect or understand the answer

Me: "beautiful...."

Girl: "beautiful.... (care to explain?)" The last part is implied, but does not necessarily have to sound interrogative.

[The Shade]

Interesting. I had always assumed she merely repeated what he said.

This puts a whole new light into that scene.

She hears a word, doesn't know what it means, and is going to learn something new.

Thanks for clarifying.

[Jefuemon]

Scene in question is right here, near the end.

No subtitles, but I go with Miria repeating a word that she doesn't know the meaning to.

[Rabidweezil]

It is interesting how people have interpreted this differently.

I always thought she was calling him "beautiful" as well. Because, ya know, Max is kinda pretty

[ly000001]

I don't know if you can call this official, but this is what's in the Macross Gold Book:

So not only does she end her line with a question mark, she also doesn't know the kanji for "utusukushii"

[Vifam7]

My understanding of this scene is that Miria is saying : Beautiful? Who, me?

(as if this was the first time someone ever complimented on her looks)

[JB0]

So not only does she end her line with a question mark, she also doesn't know the kanji for "utusukushii"

Understandable, really. I mean, it IS her first time speaking japanese, and pronouncing kanji is hard!

[David Hingtgen]

I never really understood the dialogue there either, so this is interesting.

(yeah, it's only 2 words, but as you can see...)

[azrhino]

Thanks for the replies. I thought each interpretation was interesting, but was most intrigued by the third, which is apparently the most accurate.

It also amazes me that we are still finding "new" things to discuss on a 30 year old anime movie.

[skullmilitia]

Max: 美しい~ = Beautiful.

Milia: ああ… 美しい… = Beautiful?

This is correct, only when she says it, she has a slight delay, so it's more like ..beau..tiful..?

[Marzan]

Real interesting stuff guys. I've always thought that Miria was saying "Beau..tiful?" not knowing what the word meant, but I also had the doubt that maybe she was complimenting Max on his looks. He is a genius after all