Making Thai Subtitles: Culture, Slang, and Curse Words [Season 3, Episode 77]

Making Thai Subtitles: Culture, Slang, and Curse Words [Season 3, Episode 77]

Greg interviews Palm, a professional translator of English to Thai, but in a very specific context: subtitles for film and television. Palm begins by explaining that she literally learned English by being a couch potato and watching a lot of Western TV shows and movies, surviving by figuring out the subtitles word by word. This led naturally to an interest in doing it for a living, and lo and behold, her dream came to when she got a job translating for MTV Thailand. Eventually, this led to translating for a major video distribution company (which shall remain anonymous).

Greg quizzes Palm on the difficulties of her job and how she can possibly find Thai equivalents for all the weird expressions and slang in English. Palm notes that this in fact makes her job fun, as she often has to do research to first make sure she has the proper understanding in her own head before she can determine the best Thai equivalent. Unsurprisingly, curse words are quite difficult, and Greg and Palm discuss some rude expressions and how Palm approaches translating them.

They also discuss the difference between simply translating a word, and translating intentions, concepts, and context. Apply this to, say, hip-hop culture, or RuPaul's show "Drag Race", and you can see where it becomes difficult!

Palm concludes with some advice for wannabe subtitlers, so listen in for some excellent career guidance if you are so inclined.

As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Jaksot(561)

Bangkok Podcast 65: Raising Kids in Bangkok

Bangkok Podcast 65: Raising Kids in Bangkok

We get a lot of questions from expat parents and parents-to-be about what it's like raising a family in Bangkok. Since Tony and Greg are little more than man-children themselves, we brought Jack Priny...

7 Elo 201148min

Bangkok Podcast 64: Travelfish

Bangkok Podcast 64: Travelfish

Today we're joined by Stuart McDonald, President, Founder, CEO and all around big boss at Travelfish.org, one of the most respected independent travel websites. Stu gives us a fascinating look into bu...

1 Elo 20111h

Bangkok Podcast 63: Bangkok Free Ambulance

Bangkok Podcast 63: Bangkok Free Ambulance

Every Westerner knows that when you're hurt back home, you call the emergency number and get taken to the hospital, but things in Bangkok work a little differently. Today we talk with Marko Cunningham...

24 Heinä 201149min

Bangkok Podcast 62: Learn Thai With Mod

Bangkok Podcast 62: Learn Thai With Mod

On today's show, we're happy to be joined by Mod, who is a Thai language instructor. We wanted to see what it's like for a Thai person to teach Thai to foreigners, and she gives us some interesting in...

17 Heinä 201151min

Bangkok Podcast 61: Thai Spirit Houses

Bangkok Podcast 61: Thai Spirit Houses

Have you ever walked down the street and wondered what's up with those dollhouses on pillars that seem to be outside every building? Many have, and this is why we're happy to have Marisa Cranfill on t...

10 Heinä 201147min

Bangkok Podcast 60: Religion & Science

Bangkok Podcast 60: Religion & Science

We're very happy to welcome back Phra Pandit, the British-born monk who joins us to talk about everything from Buddhist canon to nuclear power. Today, Phra Pandit talks with us about how Buddhism view...

3 Heinä 201159min

Bangkok Podcast 59: Transgender Lifestyles

Bangkok Podcast 59: Transgender Lifestyles

The image of a beautiful Thai women is one that is known throughout the world; however, only slightly less well known is the image of a beautiful Thai women who was born a man. Call them what you will...

26 Kesä 201150min

Bangkok Podcast 58: Learn Thai From A White Guy

Bangkok Podcast 58: Learn Thai From A White Guy

On today's episode we're joined by Brett Whiteside, one of the few foreigners in Thailand who teach Thai. Brett's road from wide-eyed tourist to competent speaker, translator, consultant and tutor is ...

19 Kesä 201149min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

olipa-kerran-otsikko
sita
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
kaksi-aitia
i-dont-like-mondays
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
uutiscast
poks
antin-palautepalvelu
rss-nikotellen
kolme-kaannekohtaa
rss-murhan-anatomia
mamma-mia
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
aikalisa
meidan-pitais-puhua
rss-haudattu
rss-palmujen-varjoissa
mystista
loukussa