Why English is called Portuguese

ShogunThe language confusion, which sees English being referred to as Portuguese, can take a while to get used to, but it makes sense in the context of the show. FX’s Shogun Remake is set in late 16th century Japan, during which Portugal controlled the islands’ trade with the West. The Portuguese also acted as middlemen in the commercial route between Japan and China, because the letter no longer negotiated directly with the former. John Blackthorne, a Protestant from England whose ship washed ashore in Japan, became the first non-Portuguese European to establish connections with the Japanese in Shogun.

As an American show set in Japan at a time when Portugal controlled the region’s external trade with English, Japanese and Portuguese protagonists, Shogun There was bound to be some language confusion. Fortunately, the FX show does a much better job in handling its setting and cultural plurality compared to the previous adaptation of the Shogun Novel. That said, It can be strange to hear John Blackthorne and other Portuguese-speaking characters in Shogun Speak in English when referring to their language as something else.

Why Shogun considers the English language to be Portuguese

Portuguese is the language used by John “In-Universe”

There are several cases in Shogun Where a character will announce they will speak in Portuguese, only for them to speak English. This is because, in the universe, the Lingua Franca Used by John Blackthorne and the Catholic priests is Portuguese, but the show replaces it with English. therefore, Every time a character speaks in English in ShogunThey are supposed to speak in Portuguese in the story. Although John Blackthorne is indeed English, he only communicates with the Jesuits through Portuguese, which is also the language that the translators use every time the navigator talks to a Japanese.

Portuguese was among the world’s key languages ​​in the 15th and 16th centuries, serving as the Lingua Franca In some regions, including in African and Asian countries. Portugal was ahead of all European countries when it came to maritime imperialism in the early 16th century, establishing trade routes and colonies in North Africa, West Africa, South Africa, and the region that would become known as Brazil. The Portuguese arrived in Japan in 1543And by the end of the century, both the Portuguese language and the Christian religion were assimilated by many Japanese.

Why it makes sense for FX to use the English language for Shogun

Shogun is an American production

While Shogun Available to stream globally via Star+ and Disney+ depending on region, the show is an American production that airs on FX and also streams on Hulu. Therefore, it makes sense for English to be used in addition to Japanese for most of the show. Except John Blackthorne, who is English, there would be no reason for others Shogun Letters to speak English. As a result, A completely accurate picture of the story would be entirely in Portuguese and Japanese, and all Shogun Would have to include subtitles.

Shogun The Japanese characters cannot speak English, and it uses an English voice-over. Instead, it adds subtitles, a great creative choice that, although logical, is somewhat skipped over in other productions. for example, In the 1980s Shogun series, dialogues in Japanese have no subtitles, and some scenes with only Japanese-speaking characters have a voice-over translation narrated by Orson Welles. The original Shogun Show also labeled English as Portuguese. Although it can be funny hearing the characters mention a language and speaking in a different language can be confusing, FX Shogun Make sure it doesn’t break the immersion.

How history plays out in Shogun

The FX show flicks between historical accuracy and fictional events

Shogun is a difficult show to evaluate when it comes to historical accuracy. It has an interesting relationship with real history, and this is partly because it is based on the 1957 novel by James Clavell, which itself was based on true events but was also incredibly liberal with them. The original novel has often been at the center of debates about historical accuracy for several reasons. Clavell’s book was based on the diaries of William Adams, who actually was in Japan in the 17th century and served as a key advisor to the Tokugawa.

Adams did serve in Tokugawa’s army, although he wasn’t made a samurai until later, and he never met Hosokawa Gracia (whom the character Toda Mariko is based on). Adams, unlike John Blackthorne, never had a romantic relationship similar to that shared between Blackthorne and Marika. It’s inconsistencies like this that, of course, plague Shogun As a show, it is always important to remember that the story it is based on is itself a work of fiction.

However, there are also many reasons why Shogun Is historically accurate too. Although it changes the names of many characters, the larger historical impact of their actions is unaltered. Tokugawa Toranaga is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, the real feudal lord who worked with Adams. Ieyasu, much like his fictional counterpart, was pivotal in the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Wow Shogun Errors in historical accuracy are character specific. However, in broad terms, the show is more accurate than many historical dramas that don’t change any names or details of key characters. Shogun Has been praised by historians for how accurately it manages to capture the complex internal politics and international relations of feudal Japan. Although Blackthorne is not a real person, the way he is treated and reacts when he arrives in Japan is incredibly realistic.

total, Shogun It has been praised for its approach and its choice to focus on what is most important from the complex period of history it showcases. It is also commented by many that Shogun Does a great job of amending many of the inaccuracies of the source material, especially when it comes to language and Japanese culture.