How come non of the mongolian soldiers speak the native mongolian tongue? Especially as since it was a period piece, the mongolians should have their native tongue in the show.
Would have been more realistic had that been done. But of course, chinese actors are easier to come by than mongolian actors.
I've thought about the language thing, too. But I've concluded that it's not unreasonable for these Mongolians to be speaking Chinese. After ruling China for almost a hundred years during the Yuan Dynasty they established it wouldn't be too surprising that some, if not all, of them adopted the language and became "sinicized" to an extent. Going by the date this was set they were only recently ousted by the Ming and not had enough time to completely dissimilate from the culture. It would be dreadfully inconvenient for them not to be able to speak the local lingo, and considering that they had been living in China for a few generations it seems rather unlikely. And, according to Wikipedia, it was during the Yuan Dynasty that Middle Chinese ended and Mandarin began. So, it isn't a great stretch that these Mongols were speaking Mandarin, though of course not in it's standard, modern form. Plus, if a Mongolian language was their cradle language and Chinese a second language, the Chinese would still be the only language they had in common with the non-Mongolian characters in the film and what you would hear them speaking the most often out of necessity.
Anyway, if we insisted that they speak a Mongolian language we'd also have to insist that every other period piece coming out of China used an accurate dialect for the time period and region it was set in, which is silly and most likely impossible. It would be like insisting that the actors in King Arthur (2004) should have spoken Latin, Pictish and Gaelic. This was made for modern audiences; you must use a modern language. Thus, any private scenes between Mongolians must be spoken in Mandarin so the audience can understand. It's like having Germans speaking privately to each other in English in some American films, it's more convenient than subtitles and finding actors who speak German. Also, tossing in yet another language when it's not really needed would have caused undo confusion and was probably not even feasible.
If there are any linguists around or people who have studied Chinese history then please speak up and correct my conclusions.
I recall reading that the mongols were strictly trying not to assimilate into the chinese population. They tried as much as possible to remain distinct in language and culture and would thus cause the ultimate downfall of the Yaun.
shareI also took some issue with the languages? The film is Korean but takes place in China. So if the main band of Korean soldiers are speaking Korean why is it that Zhang ZiYi can understand them most of the time it seems but not at others as they make sparring use of the interpreter. And vice versa the Korean soldiers can understand her Chinese. This seems to be a selective problem in the movie as it is not always an issue but only at certain points like when the Korean soldiers come to the first town and are looking for food and the people there don't understand them. I loved this movie and am not usually one to nit pick but this to me and my friend who happens to be Korean seemed like a big contrast. If anyone can explain this to me I would love to hear what you have to say.
shareWell, I've seen the movie a few times now and I sort of understand who understands what. Only a few of the Korean characters understand Chinese and can speak it fluently, and these are the only characters Ziyi's character can communicate directly with: the monk, Sgt Jinlip, General Choi and the translator. Except for the monk these are the only Korean characters she has actual conversations with and when she speaks with them they speak Mandarin. If a group of Koreans are speaking she's not going to know what's going on as they are speaking Korean and so she has to have things translated (often they don't want to translate what's being said). But with so many characters to keep track of it can seem as if her understanding seems to switch on and off, but it's just the fact that there are so many characters and languages to sort out. Some of the Koreans are fluent, most know nothing and some appear to know only a little. Watching the movie a few more times might clarify it.
Ziyi talks to Yeosol several times but it always seemed to me that he doesn't really understand her, just gets the gist of her meaning through facial expression and tone and vise versa when he speaks to her. The Mongol General definitely speaks to Yeosol in Mandarin, but Yeosol responds in Korean as far as I can tell. If he was speaking Mandarin then the subtitles were really incorrect, I know that much Mandarin at least.
As for: "when the Korean soldiers come to the first town and are looking for food and the people there don't understand them"
They understand when the translator speaks to them. One of the men comments that he can't place his accent. Another man says they must pay for the food, so he must have understood what the translator was asking for.
Sorry for the rambling. Hope I cleared up some points for you.
[deleted]
I just watched the movie for the third time and I can see your point. It may just be a coincedence(sp?) but after Yeosul saves her after the fight in the forest she tells him to let go of her because she is a princess and he responds just because you are a princess does not mean you can do whatever you want.(not and exact quote) They both seem to understand each other perfectly at that moment.
shareBecause the Mongol language is mind-bendingly hard to script. Ever try reading in Cyrillic alphabet?
sharecryillic is russian, mongols did not use cryillic back then.
shareCyrillic is easy. I learned it in like a day when I was teaching myself Russian. I can read it without any difficulty.
Sig under construction
well, the General and the diplomats were the only koreans who knew Chinese. The rest didn't. Zhang ZiYi also did not know korean. The main korean character and Zhang ZiYi basically assumed what the other was saying.
shareNear the end I heard the General speak Korean to the Princess which was kinda weird but oh well..
share[deleted]