Lost and Found In Translation

I just want you all to know that I haven't abandoned this good ol' place in favor of good ol' Crooked Timber. Just lots of grading, plus eyestrain - necessitating not too much screen time; plus poor Belle is doing rather badly, so I've been enjoying lots of extra tot time while mommy rests. She only got out of the house twice this week - and once was to go to the Emergency Room, which I think shouldn't count, even in Singapore where the Emergency Room is actually rather nice. And the other was to go to the pool, which almost led to another Emergency Room visit. Yes, I know she always sounds chipper in her posts. We are doing OK.

OK, here's the thing. Zoë's favorite movie is Kiki's Delivery Service, but until now we only had a Japanese language version with English subtitles. Since Zoë can't read, her ability to read is limited. This has involved much jolly toddled-down exposition of character and motivation over the months. Last week I finally sprung for an English over-dubbed version. And let me tell you: it is very weird to have a Japanese-speaking, wise-cracking sidekick cat whose every gesture and manner you know by heart, for you have seen them all more than fifty times, so you can even mumble along to the Japanese without knowing what you are saying. As I was saying: it is weird to have such a cat suddenly erupt in the voice of Phil Hartmann. Troy McClure. Zoë loves it. She and I bought the DVD together in this little store. She walked up to the counter proudly, carrying the box and the $50 bill I gave her and told the sales auntie: 'It my favowite movie. Kiki Delibry Sahwvice.' This schtick slays sales aunties in the aisles. And then we came home. And then we watched it. And she grinned ear to ear: "I can undawstand what theywre SAYING!' I imagine parents of blind children feel like this when their children undergo operations that allow them to see. It is a good feeling.

And that is my James Lileks moment, Singapore style, this week.

Comments

[Timothy Burke]

I think we're about due for another obsessive round of Kiki-viewing in our house, once we get done with the Alice-in-Wonderland obsession.

[kakita]

*applauds*

And after she's done with that soon she'll graduate to Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. I think I'm tearing up.

[Anon]

"Since Zoë can't read, her ability to read is limited." Good point.

Very charming story; brightened my day.

[Phoebe]

haha when I was young Kiki delivery service didnt hook me that much, but i watched it many times till the tape died hahaa! kids today are lucky to have DVDs!

Tell me when she start turning to Totoro! Now that was my favourite!!

[eudoxis]

Must see: My Neighbor Totoro. Sweet, non-threatening, safe. My youngest daughter spent many hours cocooned in that movie.

[jholbo]

Mine too. She has decided her little sister will be named Mei as a result of that movie. We'll see how that plays out.