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Mar. 26th, 2009 05:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
corbaeTranslated Japanese interview with Fall Out Boy
Notes: The unique problem with translating from Japanese is that they rarely distinguish between the singular and plural forms of nouns, word order is different, and they often remove the subject of a sentence. That is, “I ate a sandwich” is more likely to be written as “sandwich(s) ate.” This can make it difficult to tell who is speaking and what they’re speaking about.
My experience with Japanese is limited to 4 and a half semesters in university which I am forgetting very, very quickly. I translated this interview using that experience but I mostly used two online translators (excite.co.jp and Google) and Jim Breen’s online Japanese/English dictionary.
Translating, especially when it’s from something that’s already been translated (because, hey guess what! FOB is not fluent in Japanese), ALWAYS changes meaning. I’m also not perfect at this, so I’m sure I’ve made plenty of mistakes. To demonstrate the difference between a twice-translated interview and the original, I’ve transcribed the clip embedded in the interview and stuck it at the bottom. You can compare it to my results with the translators. I’ve also added footnotes where I’m most certain I’ve gotten something wrong.
Finally, please note that this is an interview with both Andy and Patrick, and I'm not sure who is speaking when. The original interview had line breaks in weird places, and I replicated those. They probably show when a new person is speaking.
Q: How was the reaction of the Japanese fans to the live performance?
It was wonderful. I think that this tour's performance in Japan was the best so far. It was perfect, and the audience's sound was also wonderful. Everything went perfectly, it was very together, and everything felt connected. Although musicians often say "It was the best show!" it can truthfully be said that to us, on this tour, this is the best live performance.
Q: Is it "the current Japanese tour we're in the middle of" that you're talking about?
No, out of our career.
Yeah. The fans knew all the songs, and sang all the choruses. It really felt as though we'd infiltrated everywhere.1
I think that all of the elements, like the audience, and the technical side and so on of the timing, venue, lighting, and sound were in the best state, and those elements came together amazingly, and as a result it became the perfect show.
Q: Is "best band" also an element?
Oh, yes, that's right.
Q: Because this isn't your first Japanese performance, are you no longer surprised by the silence during pauses between songs?
It was also different this time. Rather than silence, we saw the craziest audience so far. They shouted in between the songs, and were quite different from the usual quiet Japanese audience.
Definitely.
Something was different.
Anyway, although we don't know why...
It was good.
It was the best. There was not any silence between songs, either.
Q: May I ask about something concerning the album? The title is in French, but can you speak French?
No, I can't. Not really.
Q: Then, why a French title?
(For the following yellow part: In the following (yellow), Patrick isn't referring to the result of searching on the internet for Folie A Deux "２人組精神病" which can be translated as two people living together, but to a psychological syndrome in which one of two people has a mental illness or delusional habits, and the other is supposedly normal, yet they will begin to develop a similar mental disorder.)2
(It's called Folie A Deux and) it indicates a technical term in French for a medical case called "two-person mental disorder."
It's a word that was first used in the United States in the 1900s...It's a term in psychology.
That's it. But, I think that it is a word that has not been used in France. I think that French people don't understand that meaning. In United States psychology, the term is what indicates the tendency for when, if two people are living together and each has a mental disorder, their symptoms are in danger of doubling or merging together. In short, the separate parts combine and change into the threat with more power. We used this term because, in American culture and the relationships between people, we wanted to express ourselves by the metaphor "Drive it into the mentally disabled."3 When you look at American society, people are being manipulated by the tactics and TV commercials of car manufacturers to get bigger and bigger vehicles. A car is just one example, it's not limited to them, there's no "abnormality" in it at all, I think it's just going with the flow. People become glued to absurd reality shows, and the shows are planting the idea that if and when they win they will become rich and get married. That's not the ordinary way, though, and for the audience to see such a show, and in producing the show for money, the situation is escalated by the synergistic effect. This title, it's ridiculing that sort of thing in the United States. Sorry the explanation has gotten long, but the album title is meant to be a satire of American culture and society.
Q: Very interesting! So, the CD jacket is of a bear carrying another bear on it's back?
That's right.
Q: On the album there are a large number of guests participating, please tell me a story of an event that occurred while recording.
There's nothing, really. Because we did not work closely with the guests in the same studio.
In most cases, that is.
Q: Did you collaborate over the internet?
Yeah, mostly it was over the internet. However, Brendon of Panic At The Disco is a close friend, and because he doesn't live far from LA we met up face-to-face. His house is between LA and Las Vegas, and we knew he comes to Malibu occasionally. So, we went to meet once, and he participated on the album and he played the piano. Then with Pharell (Williams), after talking about it for a long time, he came to town and recorded. But with the other artists, we collaborated over the internet. In some cases this seems to be the best method, and Elvis Costello was just that person. He is my hero, though I did not know what sort of person he was at all. Because I like his music, and because I did not know what sort of person he was, collaborating over the internet was the best answer. It's not a rude meaning at all, I didn't want to step on his personal thing, and one should only be connected through the music, listening carefully to the works with pure feelings. I love his performance, and in person said "I'm a big fan! Your work is amazing" but something like conversation was difficult. Even though I respected him, I still felt awkward to an extent.4 It was the same with Deborah Harry. And then, Lil Wayne is our friend, but his world presence feels completely different.5 He is an artist who is taking an original path. Therefore, I think collaborating face-to-face with him would not go well. And we collaborated from a distance over the internet.
Q: I see. It is an interesting story, isn't it? By the way, has your method of musical approach and the production process changed since your previous work?
This time, we were driven to produce in a short time, and everything was completed in about one month. But with our last album, it was roughly six months？ I think it was 6 or 7 months. The time period was established by the opening (release date).
That's all it was related to.
But this album we only took about one and a half months. You could say this explosiveness was thanks to the support we received, and because the whole group was united for the same goal, and I think I was able to include the things I wanted to express in the album. We thought of things and expressed them as they were, and although we did things such as hesitate and reconsider we did it without losing time.6 I think that's why it is stronger than our previous albums. Although we told that story when we ate yesterday, this album really makes us happy. This is, without a doubt, our favorite album.
Q: What kind of song is the single "America's Suitehearts"?
The song is a satire of American culture just like the album title is. Though I spoke in a very serious tone while I was joking around, within the band we often use humor to express ourselves. You have to laugh, because society is just too much.7 This song exhibits that, and the video as well, and they both include interesting/amusing elements. But it's different from the straightforward humor of I Don't Care; the video for America's Suitehearts includes more of an element of satire directed at the influence of celebrity and culture in making "stupid enough"8 the theme. Though lots of people think this song is about "How is celebrity affecting people?" that's not actually right. This song says "What effect is celebrity having on the world?" like "What kind of dog will the Obamas get?" or like what kind of society is just made up of such worthless tabloid fare. Things like the type of dog Obama has and his political administration are entirely unrelated.
Interviewer: Certainly. But it's definite that they're getting a dog?
That's right! I need to check the news. It may be a schnauzer.
Interviewer: Really?
No, I was just joking.
Q: Both of you,I heard that you're building a house?9
That's right. Right now it's in the design stage. How'd you know?
Interviewer: There's little reason...
Q: When should it be completed?
It hasn't been started yet. Actually, the plans are being redone. So I hope construction on my house will start in about 3 months.
In my case, it's going well but I still don't know when it will be finished. But I'm really looking forward to it, because solar panels are being installed. I think I want to adopt various environmentally-friendly elements into my house.
Q: That sounds fun. Will you get a dog after it's done?
Hmm, I need to think about it.
Q: So, I have two unusual questions. If you were to change one body part, what would you change?
That's a very strange question!
I really can't think of anything.
Q: Everything is OK as it is right now?
It's just one change, and I feel weird picking one.
Definitely. Changing a body part is really disturbing. I don't know...
I can’t answer.
I wish I'd lose the gap in my front teeth. I don't like it.
I'm satisfied with myself.
I don't want it. I wore braces, but they didn't fix it. It didn't take.
I've never before thought that I want to change something. Even if I'm asked "If you could be a member in any band, which would it be?" I think "My own." If I were to answer that I wanted to change something, I feel that would be like betraying my entire life.
Q: If you were given enough time and money, where would you go and what would you do?
I want to spend more time in Japan.
Interviewer: Really?
Of course, we love Japan!
Right now, because most of us don't take vacations that aren't related to work, we definitely want to spend more free time in Japan. But especially if it has nothing to do with money. What about you?
I wouldn't change too much. Even if there was money, I'd want to tour as a member of the band. But, I think I'd spend more time with friends and family.
Me, I want to become like the multi-millionaire who bought Brazil's rainforest.10 Only in order to protect nature, using the money for the world, and I'd like to buy the rainforests and spend on things related to ecology. I spend money in order to defend the earth.
I’m the same. And then I'd want to buy lots of land to provide my friends with a house.
Also, I want to buy the top 500 American companies selected by "Fortune" magazine and cut the salaries of the executives.
Q: So, a message to Japanese fans. Everyone in Japan, it's Fall Out Boy.
Everyone, we love you. Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Transcribed Interview
Interviewer: Um, they somehow know that you both are building houses for yourselves, is that right?
Patrick: Yeah, actually. We’re both remodeling houses right now.
Andy: How’d you know that?
[laughter]
Interviewer: For some reason
[more laughter]
Interviewer: So, um, what’s up with—how far have you finished with it?
Andy: Uh, I haven’t done anything, really.
Interviewer: No?
Andy: I mean I’m not, we’re just like, re-modeling I guess. So. I guess I’ll start, I think in March?
Patrick: Mine’s—mine’s moving along, um, it, I don’t know when it will be done, but I have, I’m pretty excited because I have, uh, it’ll be on solar panels and, um, I don’t know. It’ll have a lot of, a lot of neat little environmentally-friendly kind of aspects about it, so.
Interviewer: Wow, sounds good. And an adopted dog, as well? [laughs]
Patrick: What was that?
Interviewer: And one adopted dog, too?
Patrick: Yeah, yeah. Actually, actually we’re looking.
Interviewer: Yeah? Ok, two interesting weird questions. If you are—If you could replace a part of your body, which part would you like to have replaced?
Both: Hmm.
Patrick: That is a really strange—
Andy: Bizarre.
Patrick: Question.
Andy: I don’t think I’d want to.
Interviewer: So happy with yourself?
Andy: Yeah, I mean. That would be very odd, if I replaced one thing.
Patrick: Yeah. I’m trying to think...there’s not one, like, body part that just bothers me a ton. Um...hm.
Andy: Yeah, I can’t answer that.
Patrick: I don’t like this little space in between my teeth. I don’t like that.
Andy: I like mine.
Patrick: I don’t like mine. I, I, uh, I had braces, but it just doesn’t, doesn’t close up, so.
Interviewer: Ok.
Andy: I don’t know, I just never want to be something else, you know? Whenever people ask, like, if you could be this band or do this thing, I just like what I’m doing. So, I don’t, I don’t feel like, y’know, I feel like answering that kind of betrays my life, I guess.
1. "infiltrated everywhere" is an approximation--literally, it was something like "penetrated to the smallest pieces."
2. Ahaha this paragraph. I have no idea. Really, just...almost everything I wrote was a guess.
3. I'm pretty sure this isn't what he actually said.
4. This passage is awkwardly phrased on my part. I think he's getting at stuff he's said before, about not wanting to work with his personal heroes because of the danger of becoming disillusioned with them (i.e., he doesn't want to find out they're jerks or whatever)(This is Patrick, btw).
5. Another gross approximation.
6. He may have said they didn't hesitate with FAD.
7. Either too funny or just too much--it was unclear.
8. Another bit I couldn't translate well--"stupid enough" is probably incorrect. It's stupid something, though.
9. You can see the actual interview, so you know what I got wrong.
10. Has this actually happened? He may be saying he wants to be like a millionaire who could buy the rainforest, not like any particular person.
Notes: The unique problem with translating from Japanese is that they rarely distinguish between the singular and plural forms of nouns, word order is different, and they often remove the subject of a sentence. That is, “I ate a sandwich” is more likely to be written as “sandwich(s) ate.” This can make it difficult to tell who is speaking and what they’re speaking about.
My experience with Japanese is limited to 4 and a half semesters in university which I am forgetting very, very quickly. I translated this interview using that experience but I mostly used two online translators (excite.co.jp and Google) and Jim Breen’s online Japanese/English dictionary.
Translating, especially when it’s from something that’s already been translated (because, hey guess what! FOB is not fluent in Japanese), ALWAYS changes meaning. I’m also not perfect at this, so I’m sure I’ve made plenty of mistakes. To demonstrate the difference between a twice-translated interview and the original, I’ve transcribed the clip embedded in the interview and stuck it at the bottom. You can compare it to my results with the translators. I’ve also added footnotes where I’m most certain I’ve gotten something wrong.
Finally, please note that this is an interview with both Andy and Patrick, and I'm not sure who is speaking when. The original interview had line breaks in weird places, and I replicated those. They probably show when a new person is speaking.
Q: How was the reaction of the Japanese fans to the live performance?
It was wonderful. I think that this tour's performance in Japan was the best so far. It was perfect, and the audience's sound was also wonderful. Everything went perfectly, it was very together, and everything felt connected. Although musicians often say "It was the best show!" it can truthfully be said that to us, on this tour, this is the best live performance.
Q: Is it "the current Japanese tour we're in the middle of" that you're talking about?
No, out of our career.
Yeah. The fans knew all the songs, and sang all the choruses. It really felt as though we'd infiltrated everywhere.1
I think that all of the elements, like the audience, and the technical side and so on of the timing, venue, lighting, and sound were in the best state, and those elements came together amazingly, and as a result it became the perfect show.
Q: Is "best band" also an element?
Oh, yes, that's right.
Q: Because this isn't your first Japanese performance, are you no longer surprised by the silence during pauses between songs?
It was also different this time. Rather than silence, we saw the craziest audience so far. They shouted in between the songs, and were quite different from the usual quiet Japanese audience.
Definitely.
Something was different.
Anyway, although we don't know why...
It was good.
It was the best. There was not any silence between songs, either.
Q: May I ask about something concerning the album? The title is in French, but can you speak French?
No, I can't. Not really.
Q: Then, why a French title?
(For the following yellow part: In the following (yellow), Patrick isn't referring to the result of searching on the internet for Folie A Deux "２人組精神病" which can be translated as two people living together, but to a psychological syndrome in which one of two people has a mental illness or delusional habits, and the other is supposedly normal, yet they will begin to develop a similar mental disorder.)2
(It's called Folie A Deux and) it indicates a technical term in French for a medical case called "two-person mental disorder."
It's a word that was first used in the United States in the 1900s...It's a term in psychology.
That's it. But, I think that it is a word that has not been used in France. I think that French people don't understand that meaning. In United States psychology, the term is what indicates the tendency for when, if two people are living together and each has a mental disorder, their symptoms are in danger of doubling or merging together. In short, the separate parts combine and change into the threat with more power. We used this term because, in American culture and the relationships between people, we wanted to express ourselves by the metaphor "Drive it into the mentally disabled."3 When you look at American society, people are being manipulated by the tactics and TV commercials of car manufacturers to get bigger and bigger vehicles. A car is just one example, it's not limited to them, there's no "abnormality" in it at all, I think it's just going with the flow. People become glued to absurd reality shows, and the shows are planting the idea that if and when they win they will become rich and get married. That's not the ordinary way, though, and for the audience to see such a show, and in producing the show for money, the situation is escalated by the synergistic effect. This title, it's ridiculing that sort of thing in the United States. Sorry the explanation has gotten long, but the album title is meant to be a satire of American culture and society.
Q: Very interesting! So, the CD jacket is of a bear carrying another bear on it's back?
That's right.
Q: On the album there are a large number of guests participating, please tell me a story of an event that occurred while recording.
There's nothing, really. Because we did not work closely with the guests in the same studio.
In most cases, that is.
Q: Did you collaborate over the internet?
Yeah, mostly it was over the internet. However, Brendon of Panic At The Disco is a close friend, and because he doesn't live far from LA we met up face-to-face. His house is between LA and Las Vegas, and we knew he comes to Malibu occasionally. So, we went to meet once, and he participated on the album and he played the piano. Then with Pharell (Williams), after talking about it for a long time, he came to town and recorded. But with the other artists, we collaborated over the internet. In some cases this seems to be the best method, and Elvis Costello was just that person. He is my hero, though I did not know what sort of person he was at all. Because I like his music, and because I did not know what sort of person he was, collaborating over the internet was the best answer. It's not a rude meaning at all, I didn't want to step on his personal thing, and one should only be connected through the music, listening carefully to the works with pure feelings. I love his performance, and in person said "I'm a big fan! Your work is amazing" but something like conversation was difficult. Even though I respected him, I still felt awkward to an extent.4 It was the same with Deborah Harry. And then, Lil Wayne is our friend, but his world presence feels completely different.5 He is an artist who is taking an original path. Therefore, I think collaborating face-to-face with him would not go well. And we collaborated from a distance over the internet.
Q: I see. It is an interesting story, isn't it? By the way, has your method of musical approach and the production process changed since your previous work?
This time, we were driven to produce in a short time, and everything was completed in about one month. But with our last album, it was roughly six months？ I think it was 6 or 7 months. The time period was established by the opening (release date).
That's all it was related to.
But this album we only took about one and a half months. You could say this explosiveness was thanks to the support we received, and because the whole group was united for the same goal, and I think I was able to include the things I wanted to express in the album. We thought of things and expressed them as they were, and although we did things such as hesitate and reconsider we did it without losing time.6 I think that's why it is stronger than our previous albums. Although we told that story when we ate yesterday, this album really makes us happy. This is, without a doubt, our favorite album.
Q: What kind of song is the single "America's Suitehearts"?
The song is a satire of American culture just like the album title is. Though I spoke in a very serious tone while I was joking around, within the band we often use humor to express ourselves. You have to laugh, because society is just too much.7 This song exhibits that, and the video as well, and they both include interesting/amusing elements. But it's different from the straightforward humor of I Don't Care; the video for America's Suitehearts includes more of an element of satire directed at the influence of celebrity and culture in making "stupid enough"8 the theme. Though lots of people think this song is about "How is celebrity affecting people?" that's not actually right. This song says "What effect is celebrity having on the world?" like "What kind of dog will the Obamas get?" or like what kind of society is just made up of such worthless tabloid fare. Things like the type of dog Obama has and his political administration are entirely unrelated.
Interviewer: Certainly. But it's definite that they're getting a dog?
That's right! I need to check the news. It may be a schnauzer.
Interviewer: Really?
No, I was just joking.
Q: Both of you,I heard that you're building a house?9
That's right. Right now it's in the design stage. How'd you know?
Interviewer: There's little reason...
Q: When should it be completed?
It hasn't been started yet. Actually, the plans are being redone. So I hope construction on my house will start in about 3 months.
In my case, it's going well but I still don't know when it will be finished. But I'm really looking forward to it, because solar panels are being installed. I think I want to adopt various environmentally-friendly elements into my house.
Q: That sounds fun. Will you get a dog after it's done?
Hmm, I need to think about it.
Q: So, I have two unusual questions. If you were to change one body part, what would you change?
That's a very strange question!
I really can't think of anything.
Q: Everything is OK as it is right now?
It's just one change, and I feel weird picking one.
Definitely. Changing a body part is really disturbing. I don't know...
I can’t answer.
I wish I'd lose the gap in my front teeth. I don't like it.
I'm satisfied with myself.
I don't want it. I wore braces, but they didn't fix it. It didn't take.
I've never before thought that I want to change something. Even if I'm asked "If you could be a member in any band, which would it be?" I think "My own." If I were to answer that I wanted to change something, I feel that would be like betraying my entire life.
Q: If you were given enough time and money, where would you go and what would you do?
I want to spend more time in Japan.
Interviewer: Really?
Of course, we love Japan!
Right now, because most of us don't take vacations that aren't related to work, we definitely want to spend more free time in Japan. But especially if it has nothing to do with money. What about you?
I wouldn't change too much. Even if there was money, I'd want to tour as a member of the band. But, I think I'd spend more time with friends and family.
Me, I want to become like the multi-millionaire who bought Brazil's rainforest.10 Only in order to protect nature, using the money for the world, and I'd like to buy the rainforests and spend on things related to ecology. I spend money in order to defend the earth.
I’m the same. And then I'd want to buy lots of land to provide my friends with a house.
Also, I want to buy the top 500 American companies selected by "Fortune" magazine and cut the salaries of the executives.
Q: So, a message to Japanese fans. Everyone in Japan, it's Fall Out Boy.
Everyone, we love you. Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Transcribed Interview
Interviewer: Um, they somehow know that you both are building houses for yourselves, is that right?
Patrick: Yeah, actually. We’re both remodeling houses right now.
Andy: How’d you know that?
[laughter]
Interviewer: For some reason
[more laughter]
Interviewer: So, um, what’s up with—how far have you finished with it?
Andy: Uh, I haven’t done anything, really.
Interviewer: No?
Andy: I mean I’m not, we’re just like, re-modeling I guess. So. I guess I’ll start, I think in March?
Patrick: Mine’s—mine’s moving along, um, it, I don’t know when it will be done, but I have, I’m pretty excited because I have, uh, it’ll be on solar panels and, um, I don’t know. It’ll have a lot of, a lot of neat little environmentally-friendly kind of aspects about it, so.
Interviewer: Wow, sounds good. And an adopted dog, as well? [laughs]
Patrick: What was that?
Interviewer: And one adopted dog, too?
Patrick: Yeah, yeah. Actually, actually we’re looking.
Interviewer: Yeah? Ok, two interesting weird questions. If you are—If you could replace a part of your body, which part would you like to have replaced?
Both: Hmm.
Patrick: That is a really strange—
Andy: Bizarre.
Patrick: Question.
Andy: I don’t think I’d want to.
Interviewer: So happy with yourself?
Andy: Yeah, I mean. That would be very odd, if I replaced one thing.
Patrick: Yeah. I’m trying to think...there’s not one, like, body part that just bothers me a ton. Um...hm.
Andy: Yeah, I can’t answer that.
Patrick: I don’t like this little space in between my teeth. I don’t like that.
Andy: I like mine.
Patrick: I don’t like mine. I, I, uh, I had braces, but it just doesn’t, doesn’t close up, so.
Interviewer: Ok.
Andy: I don’t know, I just never want to be something else, you know? Whenever people ask, like, if you could be this band or do this thing, I just like what I’m doing. So, I don’t, I don’t feel like, y’know, I feel like answering that kind of betrays my life, I guess.
1. "infiltrated everywhere" is an approximation--literally, it was something like "penetrated to the smallest pieces."
2. Ahaha this paragraph. I have no idea. Really, just...almost everything I wrote was a guess.
3. I'm pretty sure this isn't what he actually said.
4. This passage is awkwardly phrased on my part. I think he's getting at stuff he's said before, about not wanting to work with his personal heroes because of the danger of becoming disillusioned with them (i.e., he doesn't want to find out they're jerks or whatever)(This is Patrick, btw).
5. Another gross approximation.
6. He may have said they didn't hesitate with FAD.
7. Either too funny or just too much--it was unclear.
8. Another bit I couldn't translate well--"stupid enough" is probably incorrect. It's stupid something, though.
9. You can see the actual interview, so you know what I got wrong.
10. Has this actually happened? He may be saying he wants to be like a millionaire who could buy the rainforest, not like any particular person.
