Why are Japanese translated subtitles non-conversational?


I guess this question brushes along the lines of why "real Japanese" can't be
learnt from drama/アニメ. I was watching the Dark Knight (2008) with Japanese
subtitles and I noticed that the translations sounded like they were sentences
written only used in a book/literature and not actual conversational Japanese.
For example, there's a scene with the Joker in which he says

> Joker: You see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are.

To which it was translated as

> Joker: あれだな、末期においてな、本性を 晒け出すもんだ。

After consulting with my Japanese friends about how you would translate this
to conversational Japanese, it just got me wondering, why are movie
translations in Japanese done like this? I.e is it just for effect? Of course
it depends on the era/setting but this is a modern film. What would be the
difference/effect if conversational Japanese was used instead? i.e

> Joker: 本性っていうのは最期に晒け出すもんだ。

Thanks




The translation you saw looks neither like the most natural translation nor
like traditional subtitle translation practice. It's more like a translation
that must make compromises with lip sync requirements ([this
scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp6Yj9VyDc)?).

Basically, Japanese (commercial) subtitle translation is the art of summary.

清水 (1992), titled
[『映画字幕は翻訳ではない』](https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%98%A0%E7%94%BB%E5%AD%97%E5%B9%95%E3%81%AF%E7%BF%BB%E8%A8%B3%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84-%E6%B8%85%E6%B0%B4-%E4%BF%8A%E4%BA%8C/dp/4152035226)
( _Movie Subtitles Are Not Translation_ ), is a classical essay that depicts
the work of subtitle translators. According to the book, Japanese subtitle
translation has a rigid rule: You can only use **4 characters per second** ,
and only display at maximum **14 characters × 2 lines** at the same time
(usually 10 characters per line). This is a tradition that has been
established over time in that field to minimize potential hindrance to
viewer's immersion.

People who watch movies with Japanese subtitles are presumably mostly
Japanese, and they can understand the scene from the minimal subtitles with
the help of the actors' performances. Some people _do_ like watching them with
curtailed subtitles and original acting (字幕派), and of course there are others
who prefer natural Japanese voiceover (吹き替え派). This is an eternal controversy
among Japanese movie fans. (Note: I rarely watch movies.)

So, in conclusion, it's not the best idea to learn Japanese conversation from
most movie subtitles. Maybe you can transcribe/find a transcription of a
voiceover, or go to video sites like YouTube (or
[here](https://jp.voicetube.com/)?) where people upload translations in
hopefully more straightforward ways.




The translation you saw looks neither like the most natural translation nor
like traditional subtitle translation practice. It's more like a translation
that must make compromises with lip sync requirements ([this
scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp6Yj9VyDc)?).

Basically, Japanese (commercial) subtitle translation is the art of summary.

清水 (1992), titled
[『映画字幕は翻訳ではない』](https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%98%A0%E7%94%BB%E5%AD%97%E5%B9%95%E3%81%AF%E7%BF%BB%E8%A8%B3%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84-%E6%B8%85%E6%B0%B4-%E4%BF%8A%E4%BA%8C/dp/4152035226)
( _Movie Subtitles Are Not Translation_ ), is a classical essay that depicts
the work of subtitle translators. According to the book, Japanese subtitle
translation has a rigid rule: You can only use **4 characters per second** ,
and only display at maximum **14 characters × 2 lines** at the same time
(usually 10 characters per line). This is a tradition that has been
established over time in that field to minimize potential hindrance to
viewer's immersion.

People who watch movies with Japanese subtitles are presumably mostly
Japanese, and they can understand the scene from the minimal subtitles with
the help of the actors' performances. Some people _do_ like watching them with
curtailed subtitles and original acting (字幕派), and of course there are others
who prefer natural Japanese voiceover (吹き替え派). This is an eternal controversy
among Japanese movie fans. (Note: I rarely watch movies.)

So, in conclusion, it's not the best idea to learn Japanese conversation from
most movie subtitles. Maybe you can transcribe/find a transcription of a
voiceover, or go to video sites like YouTube (or
[here](https://jp.voicetube.com/)?) where people upload translations in
hopefully more straightforward ways.

