Jan 27, 2011 00:12
13 yrs ago
Russian term
Lithuania
Translator/Journalist/Voiceover Pro
Native in: Russian (Variants: Standard-Latvia, Standard-Lithuania, Standard-Belarus, Standard-Ukraine, Standard-Russia) 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian
По направлению к Рэну Блейку
Russian to English
Art/Literary
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
film title
My current client is a local filmmaker and now he is working on a documentary about a renowned American jazz pianist and composer Ran Blake ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ran_Blake ).
The film will be based on shooting made at concerts during recent Blake's European tour and also conversations with him with some reminiscences of his past, his philosophy, etc.
The client wants to have an English title of the film for the Western audience. The Russian name is "По направлению к Рэну Блейку" and he suggested 'Towards Ran Blake'.
I think it's OK but sounds somewhat plain and trivial. I have suggested another variant: 'Blakeward Bound'. Certainly it's a neologism, a pun connected to the well-known expression 'homeward bound'. To me it sounds perfect especially that it has some flavor of reminiscence and nostalgia about it.
But I'm not a native speaker of English and here goes my question:
Does a title 'Blakeward Bound' sound OK for native English ears or it's better to use a simpler 'Towards Ran Blake' option as a film title?
The film will be based on shooting made at concerts during recent Blake's European tour and also conversations with him with some reminiscences of his past, his philosophy, etc.
The client wants to have an English title of the film for the Western audience. The Russian name is "По направлению к Рэну Блейку" and he suggested 'Towards Ran Blake'.
I think it's OK but sounds somewhat plain and trivial. I have suggested another variant: 'Blakeward Bound'. Certainly it's a neologism, a pun connected to the well-known expression 'homeward bound'. To me it sounds perfect especially that it has some flavor of reminiscence and nostalgia about it.
But I'm not a native speaker of English and here goes my question:
Does a title 'Blakeward Bound' sound OK for native English ears or it's better to use a simpler 'Towards Ran Blake' option as a film title?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +3 | In the Footsteps of Ran Blake |
Rachel Douglas
|
| 4 | Take the Wake: After Ran Blake |
Andrei B
|
| 3 | The Way by Ran Blake’s |
Elena Evdokimova
|
Proposed translations
+3
7 mins
Rachel Douglas
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Excellent English from Russian originals
Native in: English (Variants: Australian, US, British)
Works in: Russian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
244
Selected
In the Footsteps of Ran Blake
I would not use "Blakeward Bound" because it sounds extremely artificial. And I would include his first name, because I've no idea how many English-speakers have heard of him. I never have, but then I'm not a jazz fan. If I head "Blake," I think of William Blake, but that wouldn't be the case for everybody, either.
If "in the footsteps" is the wrong idea, then something like:
Seeking Ran Blake
In Search of Ran Blake
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2011-01-27 00:20:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Correction: If I "hear," not "head." Sorry.
If "in the footsteps" is the wrong idea, then something like:
Seeking Ran Blake
In Search of Ran Blake
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2011-01-27 00:20:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Correction: If I "hear," not "head." Sorry.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
cyhul
1 hr
|
|
Thank you.
|
|
| agree |
Denis Shepelev
8 hrs
|
|
Thanks, Denis.
|
|
| agree |
Leigh Mosley
13 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Leigh.
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
8 hrs
The Way by Ran Blake’s
I’d suggest “The Way by Ran Blake’s’'
Du côté de chez Swann by Marcel Proust (The Russian title “По направлению к Свану”) is translated into English as “Swann's Way” or “The Way by Swann's”
Du côté de chez Swann by Marcel Proust (The Russian title “По направлению к Свану”) is translated into English as “Swann's Way” or “The Way by Swann's”
8 hrs
Take the Wake: After Ran Blake
Sounds good as a metaphor of filmmakers following Ran as he's touring around Europe
"Take the wake" rings a bell as an allusion to a race, particularly in sailing, rowing, running, cycling and the like:
you "take the wake" when you're in close pursuit of the leader
"[going] after" is somewhat similar in meaning as having a connotation of pursuit
As a whole, certainly not dull and even sounds jazzy (rhythm-wise)
Ran almost surely could pick up and improvise on the phrase :)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 час (2011-01-27 09:56:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Most popular types of rowing don't fit into the list above, but some (non-Olympic) do
"Take the wake" rings a bell as an allusion to a race, particularly in sailing, rowing, running, cycling and the like:
you "take the wake" when you're in close pursuit of the leader
"[going] after" is somewhat similar in meaning as having a connotation of pursuit
As a whole, certainly not dull and even sounds jazzy (rhythm-wise)
Ran almost surely could pick up and improvise on the phrase :)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 час (2011-01-27 09:56:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Most popular types of rowing don't fit into the list above, but some (non-Olympic) do
Discussion