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English & Portuguese:

Translation of Movie Titles

by Jhessika Nascimento and Andrea Giordano | Jul 5, 2021

Let’s talk about the translation and adaptations that go into the titles  of the movies you watch. That’s right, adaptations! In Brazil, there is a strong culture of watching movies from other nationalities, especially American movies. Thus, it is very common for these films to be dubbed, subtitled and have the title translated into Portuguese (Brazilian).

Movie Titles

You may have wondered why the original title of a film from the United States is so different from the title in Brazil. Due to cultural and marketing issues, movie titles that are attractive in the US are not always attractive in Brazil and vice versa. Because of this, titles are adapted according to the country of origin and destination. 

Dubbing and Subtitles

Another very common adaptation is in relation to dubbing (audio translations) and subtitles (written translations). Most dubbing and subtitles are not word-for-word. Instead of a literal translation of every word, slang is communicated with a more authentic meaning to the culture. Dubbing and subtitles use slang that is more current for the period in which the film is being dubbed and subtitled. What does this mean for you, the English learner? It means that when you are studying films and series, be aware of these dichotomies between original and dubbed audio, and original subtitles and translated subtitles.

For more strategies on how to increase your English through entertainment, read all about it in an article I recently wrote called, “How to learn English with music, series and movies”.

Movie Titles in English and Portuguese

To illustrate what we’re explaining, let’s show some examples of movie titles:

Título original: Airplane!

Título traduzido (Brasil): Apertem os cintos… o piloto sumiu!

Tradução literal (Brasil): Avião!

 

Título original: Bloodsport

Título traduzido (Brasil): O Grande Dragão Branco

Tradução literal (Brasil): Esporte sanguinário

 

Título original: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Título traduzido (Brasil): Bonequinha de Luxo

Tradução literal (Brasil): Café da Manhã com a Tifanny

 

Título original: The Departed

Título traduzido (Brasil): Os Infiltrados

Tradução literal (Brasil): Os que partiram

 

Título original: Despicable Me

Título traduzido (Brasil): Meu Malvado Favorito

Tradução literal (Brasil): Eu Desprezível

 

Título original: Enemy at the Gates

Título traduzido (Brasil): Círculo de Fogo

Tradução literal (Brasil): Inimigo nos Portões

 

Título original: Final Destination

Título traduzido (Brasil): Premonição

Tradução literal (Brasil): Destino Final

 

Título original: Giant

Título traduzido (Brasil): Assim caminha a humanidade

Tradução literal (Brasil): Gigante

 

Título original: The Godfather

Título traduzido (Brasil): O Poderoso Chefão

Tradução literal (Brasil): O Padrinho

 

Título original: The Green Mile

Título traduzido (Brasil): À Espera de um Milagre

Tradução literal (Brasil): A Milha Verde

 

Título original: The Hangover

Título traduzido (Brasil): Se beber, não case

Tradução literal (Brasil):  A Ressaca

 

Título original: Home Alone

Título traduzido (Brasil): Esqueçeram de mim

Tradução literal (Brasil): Sozinho em Casa

 

Título original: Jaws

Título traduzido (Brasil):  Tubarão

Tradução literal (Brasil): Mandíbulas

 

Título original: Hunter Killer

Título traduzido (Brasil): Fúria em Alto Mar

Tradução literal (Brasil): Caçador assassino

 

Título original: Shane

Título traduzido (Brasil):  Os Brutos também Amam

Tradução literal (Brasil): Shane (nome do personagem)

 

Título original: State and Main

Título traduzido (Brasil): Deu a Louca nos Astros

Tradução literal (Brasil): State and Main (nome de duas ruas desse filme)

 

Título original: The Deep End of the Ocean

Título traduzido (Brasil): Nas Profundezas do Mar Sem Fim

Tradução literal (Brasil): O Profundo Fim do Oceano

 

Título original: The Family Jewels

Título traduzido (Brasil): Uma Família Fuleira

Tradução literal (Brasil): As Joias da Família

 

Título original: The Holiday

Título traduzido (Brasil): O Amor Não Tira Férias

Tradução literal (Brasil): As Férias

 

Título original: The Transporter

Título traduzido (Brasil): Carga Explosiva

Tradução literal (Brasil): O Transportador

 

Título original: Analyse This

Título traduzido (Brasil): Máfia no Divã

Tradução literal (Brasil): Analise Isso

 

Título original: Angel’s Heart

Título traduzido (Brasil): Coração Satânico

Tradução literal (Brasil): Coração de Angel (nome da personagem)

Did I forget a movie title you would like to learn more about? Leave it in the comments!

Now that you have gained more knowledge of the language you are studying, it’s time to improve your English! 

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@studyenglishwithandrea Daily English posts, tips and vocabulary!

@citizenshiptestFor those who want to study for the American citizenship test.

Sources:

https://www.solinguainglesa.com.br/conteudo/filmes2.php

 https://www.universia.net/br/actualidad/vida-universitaria/veja-lista-titulos-filmes-em-ingles-com-o-seu-real-significado-1146311.html

 

Until next time, Happy Learning!

 

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Jhessika Nascimento

Jhessika Nascimento

Director of International Partnerships

Jhessika Nascimento is the Director of International Partnerships for Study With Andrea and lives in Brasilia, Brazil.

Jhessika is a bilingual teacher of English and Portuguese, studying for a Master's Degree in Strategic Management in Information Technologies at the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana.
Graduation in Letters - Portuguese and English.
Postgraduate in Teaching in Higher Education.
Postgraduate in Risk Management and Cybersecurity.
Postgraduate Executive MBA in Process Management BPM-CBOK.
Postgraduate in Translation and Proofreading of Texts in English.

e: jhessika@sacksonworldwide.com

The following is a TOEFL Reading practice test to help you prepare for the Reading section of the TOEFL test. 

Instructions: Read the sample passage below and then answer the questions that follow. 

TOEFL Reading Practice Passage

Gorillas are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forest of central Sub-Saharan Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas (both critically endangered), and either four or five subspecies. They are the largest living primates. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% depending on what is included, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the chimpanzees and bonobos.

Gorillas' natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although their range covers a small percentage of Sub-Saharan Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200 to 4,300 metres (7,200 to 14,100 ft). Lowland gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level, with western lowland gorillas living in Central West African countries and eastern lowland gorillas living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near its border with Rwanda.

(#1) Gorillas move around by knuckle-walking, although they sometimes walk upright for short distances, typically while carrying food or in defensive situations. (#2) A 2018 study investigating the hand posture of 77 mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (8% of the population) found that knuckle walking was done only 60% of the time, and they also supported their weight on their fists, the backs of their hands/feet, and on their palms/soles (with the digits flexed). (#3) Studies of gorilla handedness have yielded varying results, with some arguing for no preference for either hand, and others right-hand dominance for the general population. (#4)

The eastern gorilla is more darkly colored than the western gorilla, with the mountain gorilla being the darkest of all. The mountain gorilla also has the thickest hair. The western lowland gorilla can be brown or grayish with a reddish forehead. In addition, gorillas that live in lowland forest are more slender and agile than the more bulky mountain gorillas. The eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla. Like humans, gorillas have individual fingerprints. Their eye color is dark brown, framed by a black ring around the iris. Gorilla facial structure is described as mandibular prognathism, that is, the mandible protrudes farther out than the maxilla. Adult males also have a prominent sagittal crest.

A gorilla's lifespan is normally between 35 and 40 years, although zoo gorillas may live for 50 years or more. Colo, a female western gorilla at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, was the oldest known gorilla at 60 years of age when she died on 17 January 2017.

 

Questions

1. According to the passage, gorillas can live in

     a. a variety of altitudes.

     b. several different countries in Africa. 

     c. thick forests.

     d. lowland forests only. 

2. All of the following is true about gorillas EXCEPT

     a. they primarily eat smaller animals.

     b. they live in a forest habitat.

     c. their genetics are similar to humans.

     d. their diet consists of vegetation. 

3. Look at the word predominantly in paragraph 1. The word predominantly in this passage refers to

     a. impulsively

     b. unfortunately

     c. mainly

     d. lastly

4. Look at the word inhabits in paragraph 2. The word inhabits in this passage refers to

     a. lives in

     b. protects

     c. goes

     d. works

5. The author implies that

     a. most gorillas prefer using their left hand over their right.

     b. gorillas rarely walk on their knuckles.

     c. gorillas regularly walk upright for long distances.

     d. studies haven't solidly proven which hand gorillas prefer using. 

6. Why does the writer mention that the eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla?

     a. To validate the importance a broad chest in western gorillas

     b. To define the meaning of "broad"

     c. To highlight a physical difference between types of gorillas

     d. To demonstrate that most gorillas are identical in physical build

7. Which of the following statements is true for BOTH eastern and western gorillas. 

     a. Both eastern and western gorrilas are brown with red foreheads.

     b. Both eastern and western gorrilas have unique fingerprints.

     c. Both eastern and western gorrilas have thin hair.

     d. Both eastern and western gorrilas have light brown eyes.

8. In Paragraph 3, look at the four numbers (#1, #2, #3, #4) that indicate where the following sentence would be added to the passage. 

Such a range of hand postures was previously thought to have been used by only orangutans.

Where would the sentence best fit?

 

(View all the correct answers below.) 

 

Great job! If you're ready to take your TOEFL preparation to the next level, go to StudyWithAndrea.com/TOEFL

Answers: 1. d    2. a    3. c    4. a    5.  d   6. c    7. b    8.  #3  

Click on one of the following links to start speaking clearer English!

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2) free mini-course "punctuation mistakes to avoid"
3) Clear English Pronunciation Video Course
4) English Vocabulary - Audio Files & PDF - TOEFL & IELTS

 

About Andrea

Andrea Giordano is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. Andrea holds a Master of Education (TESOL) from Shenandoah University, and is the former Executive Director of TESOL and ESL programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly.

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