Foreign Language Music Video Analysis

by Laura Myers
In our recent Friday Project, the ROBOT team watched foreign language music video’s from a sampling of countries including: United Arab Emirates, Germany, Mexico, China, France & Taiwan.  For every video we each wrote what we thought the song’s actual title was, a line from the chorus was and a summary of the songs meaning in English.  We then compared our answers to each other before comparing to the translated song lyrics and descriptions. 

Since most of us couldn’t understand the words, we relied on clues in the singers’ body language, tone and the video concept and design.  The results were interesting and surprising. 

Often our responses contradicted each other or were completely opposite of the translated meaning.  For example, Charlie thought the Taiwanese song “Si Lu” (Silk Road) had a carpe diem, life is beautiful theme while Lara thought someone had definitely died in the song.  Here is a clue… they were both wrong.  In the song “Si Lu” a woman compares the pursuit of the man she loves to the long arduous journey of the Silk Road – the ancient silk trading route connecting Asia and Europe.  Brittany thought the song Ta Tienne by French singer Carla Bruni meant “I’ve Lost You” but it is actually “I am Yours.”

From this Friday project we discovered how hard it is to understand body language and tone and just how bad we are at trying.  We need to incorporate this realization into our interactions with clients and each other and not always assume we understand non-verbal cues. 

Want to try your luck?  Check out this music video by the popular Chinese singer S.H.E titled “Wo Ai Ni” here.  Let us know what you think it is about!

Comments

[john schellenberg]

That is the raddest thing ever!

[john schellenberg]

So kool!!!