MovieChat Forums > Palabras encadenadas (2003) Discussion > Killing Words...or Word Chains?

Killing Words...or Word Chains?

posted 18 years ago by FreelanceStuntdouble
3 replies | jump to latest

I have been wondering if Palabras Encadenadas actually means Killing Words, or word chains. I translated it via alta vista, which said it means "chained words" in English. But when i put in Killing Words it translated to "palabras de la matanza" in Spanish. I know that that site is sometimes wrong. Through out the entire movie i was thinking that "word chains" was not the wrong translation in the subtitles (because often times the subtitles are not correct). Killing Words just seemed like a rather dumb name for the word game they were playing. My guess is that the English title is incorrect and it is actually "Word Chains" or "Chained Words" seeing as how the adjective comes after the noun in Spanish.

Hey I've been in a firefight before, well I was in a fire...actually I was fired.

[–] venomenon-1 18 years ago

You're right, translated literally it's "Chained Words". "Killing words" in Spanish should be "palabras matandas".
(I just googled a bit, seems like the movie is called "Parole Assassine" in Italy, this is obviously based on the English title as it translates into basically the same)

I guess the English title was chosen in order to make it seem more spectacular. Not a rare measure, this is done to a lot of American movies released in Europe as well (e. g. "Last House on the Left" became "Mondo Brutale" in Germany...).

[–] Giggle-Goth 17 years ago

Don't wonder about strange translations. Years ago I read in a magazine about a movie called "Red Eagle". The german version was called "Black Eagle" (Yes, the german "translation" was english, they just changed the colour) Regarding this ridiculous translation they did a great job with "Killing Words" :)

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Suicide is the most sincere form of self-criticism.

[–] Agnelin 17 years ago

It's Chained Words. A natural-sounding Spanish translation of Killing Words would be "palabras asesinas" (murderous words) or "palabras que matan" (words that kill, literally). But yeah, Killing words would probably sound appealing to some viewers.

The adjective does usually come after the noun in Spanish, but can precede it too, usually for more literary or poetic purposes, but not only for that.