Pricetag a.k.a. Mom a.k.a. Margaret (mprice) wrote in schlosseberbach, @ 2008-02-22 00:21:00 |
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Entry tags: | fan translations, humor, official translations, reviews |
Book Two - Story Five - Dramatic Spring
MIRROR ENTRY – COMMENTS DISABLED
By: Margaret Price
Posted: February 22, 2008
Story Five
DRAMATIC SPRING
--> The KGB = Soviet Union = / = Russia.
The Major refers to the KGB as Commies in CMX or Polar Bears in fan translation. CMX refers to these individuals as Russians, which was a common (if inaccurate) reference to the Soviet Union at the time the stories were written. The correct term is Soviet, which the fan translation uses. Russia was a part of the Soviet Union, as were 15 satellite countries, or “union republics.” It’s rather like calling a Brit (anyone from Great Britain) “English,” something the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish take exception to. They finally get it right (sort of) in “Alaskan Front.” Mischa’s first line begins, “For us Soviets…: ;-P
--> Page 83 – The fourth wall hasn’t gone back up again. James is happily ranting about the Major taking over the previous story.
--> Page 90 – The KGB man that the Major calls “Crazy Ivan” looks like a younger version of agent Polar Bear, who turns up in “Glass Target.” I am informed that, in the original Japanese, the Major’s references to him that are translated as Commie in CMX, and polar bear in the fan version could either be derogatory epithets for the KGB, or his actual code name of “Polar Bear.” Since the code name doesn’t seem to have been specifically given for the agent in question, I refer to him as Crazy Ivan in the quotes.
--> Page 91 – After Klaus and the other spies snipe at one another, they storm off in different directions. An on-looker comments that it is indoctrination to the max. The fan translation has it: “Each one is a pure representation of his nation’s character.” In other words, a stereotype.
--> Page 99 – One of the party guests says, “One of the good old gangsters, Gabon, isn't here.” The fan version has, “Only M. Gabin of Paris hasn’t shown up yet, the former French Syndicate gangster.”
Thank you to maki_t for more info! Gabon in the Japanese text = ギャバン氏 I think that he is a French actor, Jean Gabin
--> Page 103 – The CIA agent calls the Major a Nazi. This is when we learn that it isn’t the wisest of things to do. It is also the first glimpse we get into the Major’s background outside of NATO as he rants on about his father. (Well, beyond the “Tank Song,” that is.)
--> Page 106 – Female Journalist gushes over how good-looking the Major is: “That German was priceless. He could positively melt a girl’s heart with his looks. Goose bumps? Really now. If a good woman were to lay her hands on him, I wonder if he’d really turn chicken? Or a fine rooster… Hee Hee.” In the fan translation, she says a falcon instead of rooster. A reference to the Major’s ancestor, Tyrian Persimmon “The Falcon” in Al Halcon. Also, please note that Dorian does not react with the jealousy he displays in later stories to any woman who so much as glances in the Major’s direction.
--> Page 123 – Amongst all the undergarments hanging on the clothesline are a bra and what looks like a pair of bloomers. *Draw your own conclusions. I’m not going there. O_o*
--> Page 127 – Klaus “appears” at Gabon’s door. Literally. Just a personal aside. I love this particular aspect of the character. He tromps up a storm most of the time, scaring the crap out of everyone. But he also knows how to sneak up on his prey, seeming to appear out of thin air.
--> Page 145 – Dorian is indeed the best in the world, because he manages to climb down a chimney in a white suit and doesn’t get a speck of soot on himself anywhere. Yeah, I know. Dispel disbelief.