I just wanted to know if the subtitles were maybe embellished as to make them seem more articulate. These kids sound incredibly smart and I'm amazed at how articulate they sound and how worldly they seem. I'm just curious and I'd like to know from an Indian speaker if the translations are close to the kids' interviews?
shareI was especially surprised with Avijit (sp?) during his time at the Amsterdam Photography world conference. What he said about that photograph of the woman with her face covered, was far more intelligent and mature than most kids his age (and even older) would have said.
shareThe kids speak Bengali in the film and translations are not perfectly accurate and at points are even more simplified than what they are actually saying. Of course, some speech and jargon are bound to be lost in translation but yes, the kids really are very bright and even I was surprised at how grown up and wise their conversations are.
shareI didn't see the film nor do I speak Bengali but if there's one thing I know about speaking an asian language (being asian myself) is that often times the translations of the words into english become too simplified and general, and sometimes do not state what they're actually saying in the most true sense. I'm not saying the people who wrote the translations were lying but I think they just wanted to make it easy for people to "understand".
shareI doubt a literal translation was made. You can be uneducated but get your point across verbally.
It's that man again!!
I grew up in the Philippines and a lot of children who have been living in or below the poverty line are forced to grow up beyond their years. They have amazing awareness even at 8 or 9. And a lot of them speak in flowery/melodramatic language too! You can blame what they watch on TVs. In the Philippines, I'm shocked that even 5 year olds watching (and enjoying it) telenovelas that tackles murder, revenge, adultery, etc. And India has its Bollywood so there's that.
And I don't think they were coached because if you've been paying attention beyond what they were saying, it shows in the way they act and carry themselves. In Avijit's eyes, you can see that longing for a better life as he draws. You can see his passion to excel as he takes photos (wonderful photos BTW).
Also exposed in a lot of translation jobs, sometimes the translator really needs to take it upon themselves to re-word it in English so it can make sense. They have to translate the context instead a word-for-word translation (otherwise, it's gonna sound funny). But yeah, agree with a previous reply, even if you don't look at the words, what they're saying is wise beyond their years and has a lot of substance.