Let’s talk about a few translations of "Why Home", it is very interesting.
The first is the literal translation of "Capernaum". Many people say that this is actually closer to the soul and cultural core of the movie than "Why Home", and it's true.
Capernaum, called Capernaum in English, is actually a place name in the New Testament of the Bible, and it is also the place where Jesus used to preach.
It used to be an extremely prosperous Jewish city, a port city, and the second hometown of Jesus, but the people of Capernaum were unwilling to believe in Jesus and drove him out of the city. This unbelief city finally fulfilled Jesus' prophecy. And destruction became a ruin. So Capernaum is also called "a city abandoned by God."
The place where the miracle occurred has turned into a miserable chaos. So the word also means "chaos" and "disorder".
Just like the protagonist Zain in the movie, living a life as if abandoned by God.
I have to say that this is really a very flavorful and profound name.
The Hong Kong translation is "Star Tsai Fighting a Lawsuit".
This... I don't know how to evaluate it. Many translations of Hong Kong foreign language films have been complained about.
"Wrestle, Dad", the Hong Kong translation is "Father and Daughter",
"Mysterious Superstar", the Hong Kong translation is "Killing to Death Never Leave the Dream of a Singer",
"Three Fools Raise Bollywood" Hong Kong is also called "Three Brothers".
The feeling is that they pay more attention to conveying the plot of the movie, and the words are more clear at a glance. Strive to summarize the superficial content of the movie highly in just a few words.
It's not that there is no benefit at all, but it does destroy the artistic conception a bit.
Taiwan’s is "I Want to Have a Home", which has a sense of the times. Very satisfactory.
Then there is the "Why Home" that is used most now. (Although I always read "Why is Home")
——In my opinion, this translated name is really the best translation in it. At least in the context of Chinese, the most appropriate translation.
It not only accurately describes the plot, but is much more faithful and elegant than the translation of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
What is home, what is home, there is a sense of sadness, wandering, and helplessness at once. When I think of it, I feel the cold wind blowing through my cheeks.
"Capernaum" is also very beautiful, it can be said that it has more connotation and profound meaning. But after leaving this explanation, in the context of Chinese, the exotic atmosphere and sense of religion are too strong. Not our native Chinese habit.
Even if they understand the deep meaning behind this translated name, it is difficult for people without such a belief environment and history to feel the desolation and divinity contained in this word.
This is the insurmountable barrier between language and culture.
Words are not just a word, they come from a distant history and contain the whole set of linguistic logic and cultural connotations behind that word. There are even some words, a word naturally constitutes a story. The so-called appropriateness is to use appropriate words. Incorporating the beauty of Chinese into this story may also make it easier for us to "get in".
Of course, personal feelings are different.
In fact, you don’t have to take the initiative to judge, the name that can stay in your mind after watching the movie is what you feel, the real taste of the movie.
* The information comes from the Internet, sort it out by yourself (please correct me if there is an error)
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