le scaphandre et le papillon

having read the book, I did watch the film


it didn't ruin the book for me. . .

one of my thoughts was that depression is a little like a diving-bell of the mind, and if only my body's butterfly would take flight instead of staying locked up in its chrysalis I'd have more to distract myself with - you know, getting out and about a little (another thought was about training to be a Speech Therapist, and how I never practised once I'd qualified)

I love French films (not difficult, seeing as I love all things French) (within reason) but it always annoys me when the sub-titles aren't translated correctly, or not as I would have translated the words anyhow. . .

there is part of my brain which is bi-lingual, still, after all these years - and I know in my head exactly what the French words mean (the bi-lingual bit must be connected to a whole bunch of thoughts and experiences, which makes me think about the development of language in general and how the same word can mean different things to different people) and so if I see the English "translation" on screen and it is not how I imagine the translation, I become momentarily distracted from the plot. . .

but perhaps the person who translated the words into the sub-titles has a different meaning in their head (which could, of course, apply to someone speaking the same language as you - if you think about it)

what I mean is this:

I hear the French person say:
"don't forget"
(in French)
.

the sub-title person has written:
"remember"
(as the translation)

now that, for me, is not the same thing at all

and it sets me thinking about the difference between "not forgetting" and "remembering", which I see as two entirely different trains of thought

perhaps I need another coffee? I do recommend both book and film, but read the book if you only have time for one or the other