Discussion » Questions » Language » For those of you who are bilingual or multilingual, if/when you're watching a movie or TV with people who don't speak your other language(s)
Randy D

For those of you who are bilingual or multilingual, if/when you're watching a movie or TV with people who don't speak your other language(s)

do you offer a brief translation of what's being said, do you wait until you're asked for one, do you just stay mum, do you politely declined if asked, do you pretend it's too complicated to explain, do you say it's a dialect that you don't know very well, what do you usually do in a situation like that?




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Posted - January 19, 2019
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Responses


  • 4631
    If I see that the translation is incorrect, I will quickly state the literal meaning - but only if it doesn't interrupt the flow of the narrative.
    French films often have a much slower pace than English and American so, usually, it's possible without disrupting the dialogue.
      January 19, 2019 5:34 PM MST
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  • 14795
    Like every female....I tend to blurt things out wether asked to or knot...    You of all people should No that bye n'owl    :) 
      January 19, 2019 5:39 PM MST
    1

  • 44228
    Is Canadian a second language, eh?
      January 19, 2019 7:10 PM MST
    1

  • I don’t talk during movies and I can’t stand when someone else does either. It’s one of the few times I shut up. :)
      January 19, 2019 7:48 PM MST
    3

  • 52936



      ~
      January 19, 2019 9:38 PM MST
    3

  •   January 20, 2019 8:53 AM MST
    1

  • 7919
    It depends on who I'm watching with. If it's my kids, I almost always offer up the general translation or give them some idea of what's being said. With most adults, I say nothing. However, I have had a few ask me and I will translate when they do.
      January 20, 2019 2:29 AM MST
    3

  • 44228
    What other language do you speak?
      January 20, 2019 7:56 AM MST
    3

  • 7919
    German. Not so much enough to speak it anymore, but I can still understand it. 
      January 20, 2019 10:48 AM MST
    1

  • 44228
    Impressive. I know enough to get fed, layed and arrested.
      January 20, 2019 10:51 AM MST
    1