Quebec films: literal translations
Tabarnak! The Quebecers have struck again. We are fans of their accent, their kindness, of Céline Dion. But there, no it’s not possible… The translations of Quebec films that you will see below were mistreated, we dare say it.
Even if we French also have some gems in terms of translating film titles, the Quebecers are at the top, with no possible competition! You would like to discover our top 10 worst translations of Quebec films? Follow the guide, karibou!
Quebec film n°10. Cars
Original title: Cars
We’re attacking our top Quebec films very hard with the animated film Cars, well… “Les cars”. If we really wanted to translate, we would have called it “Cars”. What do you think? Personally, I think Cars is a very good title :).
Quebec film n°9. Toy story
Original title: Toy Story
We stay in animated films with Toy Story, or toy stories. Here again, I find that the story of toys is less dreamy. For once, in France, we could also have taken this translation.
Good or not, we will stay with Toy Story, with the stories of Buzz Lightyear and Woody.
Quebec film n°8. Ferrovipaths
Original title: Trainspotting
Trainspotting is the story of a Scottish junkie, played by the excellent Ewan McGrégor, who will try to escape his poverty and his addiction. He will have a hard time leaving his group of friends, who are also addicted to all kinds of drugs.
This film is tragicomic, just like its title in Quebec. “Ferrovipathes”, this one had to be released. In scrabble,
it can earn you big! Joking aside, this is certainly the least understandable title in our top 10 Quebec films.
Quebec film n°7. Terminator
Original title: Terminator
Quebecers didn’t necessarily worry about this one. 2 letters have been changed, and yet, it doesn’t sound the same. Go tell Arnold Schwarzenegger that from now on he will be called Schwarzeneggor. Personally, I’ll pass.
The only possible solution is John Connor, from Quebec, who translated to definitively kill Skynet. Have we gone too far? We continue with our 6th position.
Quebec film n°6. It’s going to click!
Original title: Speed 2
Impossible to know that this Quebec film title referred to the film “Speed”. Clencher is indeed a verb, which means “to go all out”, “go for it” to be more concise.
Is this the first time you’ve heard this term? U.S. too. It is almost as improbable that Captain Haddock’s insults!
We could also have put the title of the first: “clankes!” but I think the second one sounds even better. It’s an expression that is rarely or not said in France.
Quebec film n°5. Graduation Madness
Original title: American Pie
I have told you from the beginning that Quebecers literally translate film titles, and yet, this is not the case. “American Pie” should translate to “Apple Pie”. For anyone who saw the first one, you know very well what this title refers to.
Given that we French don’t say “graduation” either, that gives a title for a Quebec film that is still totally improbable. In the top!
Quebec film n°4. The Bastards Commando
Original title: Inglourious Basterds
Do you also feel like you’re insulting Auntie Suzanne just by reading the title Québécois? It definitely sounds weird.
And yet, that’s the literal translation… From there to saying that Brad Pitt is a bastard… There’s only one step.
Quebec film n°3. Scary Movie
Original title: Scary Movie
You could have put the worst horror film in the world in front of me, with the title “scary film”, I have to laugh. We remain in the pure and hard translation from English to Quebecois, but I don’t know, a little bit of imagination… I would still have preferred to read “The films that give you the bugs” than the Film of fear… Which doesn’t mean much.
In addition to having films, it must be said, bad, since Scary Movie 2, the title has also become so (bad)…
We’re bordering on corrections.
Quebec film n°2. Despicable Me
Original title (Fr): Despicable Me
You will tell me, “yes but in English the film is “despicable me”. Ok, you are right. Except that that has a meaning. So I would have rather seen “hate me”, than “hateful me” if we really wanted to make a logical title.
If one day my child comes to me and says “I want to look hateful”, personally I will take him to the speech therapist.
All joking aside, the title is bad, but we love Gru so much that we’ll forgive them for this risky translation.
Quebec film n°1. Fast and dangerous
Original title: Fast and Furious
the 100% testosterone film, big cars, pretty girls, mini shorts and…. a title. Fast and dangerous.
It breaks everything. It’s like Vin Diesel getting out of his car in a pink skirt. Or worse. it’s as if Vin Diesel arrived in a Twingo 1.2L.
Please, change this Quebec film title… It’s no longer possible. If we take into account the fact that FF is starting a trilogy again, does that mean that on Amazon, for example, we will find in a few years a pack of 10 “Fast and Furious” films?
I hope you liked our top of the best (or worst) Quebec film titles. Of course, all of this remains in the tone of humor. I love Karibous, maple syrup and Celine Dion.
Be careful, one of this information is false 🙂
You like the series? In your opinion, did Quebecers give a special name to Breaking Bad, or Game of Thrones?
