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Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Where And How To Find Foreigner-Friendly Performances In Moscow’s Theaters
The Theatre Times: Moscow is an excellent venue for devoted drama connoisseurs, even if you don’t speak Russian. Here are five foreign-friendly performances (with subtitles) to quench your theatrical thirst.
3 comments:
Sydney Asselin
said...
Translation always reinterprets the original language. The extent to which the language is reinterpreted varies depending on the translator, but no self-respecting translator would leave the translation in its original sentence structure. It would be impossible to read. It is therefore hard to see shows in languages we do not know, except to appreciate the aesthetic of theatre in a foreign culture. It is similar to reading a book in its original language. I have always wanted to read Crime and Punishment in Russian because I know the tone of the book is different from the translation I read. I would love to see a Russian show, but I worry that I will not be able to fully appreciate the nuances of the show because of the filter of translation. Fun fact about some political translation: people in non-English speaking countries often do not understand how Donald Trump doesn't speak in complete sentences. Translators fear that if they translate exactly what he says it will not reflect poorly on him, but rather reflect poorly on their translation skills.
While I’ve never been to Russia, I’ve always been fascinated with the language and culture of other places in the world that are known for theatre. I like how the article gives a brief summary of the many different performances going on in Russia and the cost of each. I was really surprised of the cost actually. I also appreciate the fact that one could go to Russia and watch a play with provided subtitles, however I do have a qualm with that. How do people watch an opera and read subtitles at the same time? I know humans love to brag about our multitasking skills, but I’m not sure how feasible that is. I think if one wants to go watch a performance in a different language, read a summary of the story line before and then go enjoy the show. I don’t think one needs to know what an actor is saying word for word for one to comprehend the feelings, turmoil, and general emotions that are attached to theatrical performances.
I guess I’ve never really thought about it before, but I’m not sure how I would feel going to a show with subtitles that are on a table that I hold, one of the tactics that used by a theatre in the article. I’m able to handle supertitles at an opera, but even that can be challenging sometimes. I think it is interesting comment on the work of theatre that you are seeing if you go without understanding the dialogue. Part of me thinks that would be a really interesting experience to be completely lost in the language, but perhaps still be able to understand the story through direction, acting, and blocking. I don’t know that much about Russian theatre other than we often send students there to study abroad. I do regret not seeing actual British theatre during our trip to London. We saw a show set in Florida at the National Theatre and Broadway-like shows in the West End. Theatre can reveal so much about a culture and a place and to experience in a foreign language in a different country would be so fascinating.
3 comments:
Translation always reinterprets the original language. The extent to which the language is reinterpreted varies depending on the translator, but no self-respecting translator would leave the translation in its original sentence structure. It would be impossible to read. It is therefore hard to see shows in languages we do not know, except to appreciate the aesthetic of theatre in a foreign culture. It is similar to reading a book in its original language. I have always wanted to read Crime and Punishment in Russian because I know the tone of the book is different from the translation I read. I would love to see a Russian show, but I worry that I will not be able to fully appreciate the nuances of the show because of the filter of translation. Fun fact about some political translation: people in non-English speaking countries often do not understand how Donald Trump doesn't speak in complete sentences. Translators fear that if they translate exactly what he says it will not reflect poorly on him, but rather reflect poorly on their translation skills.
While I’ve never been to Russia, I’ve always been fascinated with the language and culture of other places in the world that are known for theatre. I like how the article gives a brief summary of the many different performances going on in Russia and the cost of each. I was really surprised of the cost actually. I also appreciate the fact that one could go to Russia and watch a play with provided subtitles, however I do have a qualm with that. How do people watch an opera and read subtitles at the same time? I know humans love to brag about our multitasking skills, but I’m not sure how feasible that is. I think if one wants to go watch a performance in a different language, read a summary of the story line before and then go enjoy the show. I don’t think one needs to know what an actor is saying word for word for one to comprehend the feelings, turmoil, and general emotions that are attached to theatrical performances.
I guess I’ve never really thought about it before, but I’m not sure how I would feel going to a show with subtitles that are on a table that I hold, one of the tactics that used by a theatre in the article. I’m able to handle supertitles at an opera, but even that can be challenging sometimes. I think it is interesting comment on the work of theatre that you are seeing if you go without understanding the dialogue. Part of me thinks that would be a really interesting experience to be completely lost in the language, but perhaps still be able to understand the story through direction, acting, and blocking. I don’t know that much about Russian theatre other than we often send students there to study abroad. I do regret not seeing actual British theatre during our trip to London. We saw a show set in Florida at the National Theatre and Broadway-like shows in the West End. Theatre can reveal so much about a culture and a place and to experience in a foreign language in a different country would be so fascinating.
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