B1-12 / CEFR B1 / EPISODE 12

Lost in Translation

Asking for clarification when communication is difficult

SceneTina is telling Frank about a trip to a country where hardly anyone spoke English. It reminded her of her first week on Earth.

Tina gesturing as she talks about a trip in a cafe. — Select the illustration to view it at full size in a new tab.

Narrator

Tina is telling Frank about a trip to a country where hardly anyone spoke English. It reminded her of her first week on Earth.

ティナは、ほとんど誰も英語を話さない国への旅をフランクに話している。それで、地球での最初の一週間を思い出した。

Tina01

The shopkeeper I asked didn't speak any English at all.

声をかけた店主は、英語をまったく話さなかったの。

Frank02

So how did you manage?

それで、どう乗り切ったの？

Tina03

We just laughed and pointed at things.

ただ笑って、物を指差したのよ。

Frank04

Did you try anyone else first?

その前に、誰かに試してみたの？

Tina05

A waiter. I just assumed he'd speak English. He didn't.

ウェイターよ。英語が話せると思い込んでたの。話せなかったけど。

Frank06

Well, body language is sorta universal.

まあ、ボディランゲージはある意味万国共通だよね。

Tina07

True. Except I ordered fish and got fried chicken.

そうね。ただ、魚を頼んだのにフライドチキンが来たけど。

Frank08

So you just rolled with it?

それで、そのまま受け入れたの？

Tina09

Yeah, it was delicious! Still, I felt like I was back in my first week on Earth, when every sign looked like a secret code. Next time, I'm learning a few phrases first.

うん、おいしかったし！でも、地球に来た最初の一週間に戻った気分だったわ。あの頃は、どの標識も暗号に見えたのよ。次は、先にいくつかフレーズを覚えていくわ。

Server10

Here's your coffee. Today's special comes with fish or chicken.

コーヒーをどうぞ。本日のおすすめは、魚かチキンが選べます。

Tina11

Sorry, could you say that again?

すみません、もう一度言っていただけますか？

Server12

Fish or chicken?

魚か、チキンか、です。

Tina13

Fish, please. Definitely fish. ...And if it's chicken, I'll roll with it.

魚でお願いします。絶対に魚。…チキンが来たら、そのまま受け入れるけど。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“Lost in Translation”

Lost in translation means that nuance disappears during translation or, more broadly, that meaning fails to cross language or cultural differences. It describes Tina's visit to a country where little English was understood. The phrase is also known from the 2003 film of the same name.

“Well, body language is sorta universal.”

Sorta informally contracts sort of, softening a claim to mean somewhat or in a way. Kinda, from kind of, works similarly. Frank qualifies his claim that body language is universal.

“So you just rolled with it?”

Roll with it means to accept an unexpected situation and adapt rather than resist. Frank asks whether Tina simply accepted the fried chicken that arrived instead of the fish she ordered.

Browse all 60 B1 episodes

STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Words & context

“Lost in Translation”

“Well, body language is sorta universal.”

“So you just rolled with it?”