I genuinely think this is one of my favorite memes I’ve posted

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post on r/JapaneseLanguage
Title: Is he Onii-chan in Japanese version?
[picture of “big brother” from the movie 1984]
Text: In 1984, there is a character called “Big Brother”. Did they translate it as “Onii-chan” or is there any other way of saying big brother?
23 upvotes 5 comments

  • pivot_root@lemmy.world
    41·
    9 hours ago

    For localization, would -kun work? It wouldn’t be a correct translation, but the idea of the average citizen being conditioned into having that closeness and familiarity with Big Brother might make for an interesting take.

    • BillyClark@piefed.socialEnglish
      5·
      9 hours ago

      Although I speak some Japanese, I am not an expert in Japanese. I have never heard anybody say nii-kun. It’s a common failing of people in my situation to think that because they personally haven’t heard it, that it doesn’t exist, so I’m not going to say that, but even if it does exist, I don’t think -kun would be used.

      “-kun” like you said indicates closeness and familiarity, but it also is commonly used for a business subordinate. Like, if you were at work, your boss might refer to you as “pivot-kun”, even if you weren’t that close. I don’t think Big Brother could ever be seen as a subordinate.

      With my limited knowledge, if they wanted to use a Japanese word and not an English loanword, I think they’d use aniki or maybe ani-ue (although I’ve only heard these words in anime, I think people might actually still use aniki? It sounds like a Yakuza sort of word to me). These convey a respect that I think would be necessary for the mental image of Big Brother.