Monday, May 04, 2009

Languages on Lost

Lost is one of the hottest shows on TV now, and it's going into its last season next year. One thing I've found interesting about the show is the use of language. Over the course of the show we have seen numerous languages used, from just a sentence or two, right up to significant amounts of dialogue over several episodes.

There have been bits of German, Russian, Spanish and Latin - the 'secret' language of the Others. It was spoken briefly by young Charles Widmore and Juliet (in a typical modern manner of pronunciation) but also by Richard Alpert in a much more convincing tone. (Does this mean that he, Ricardus, is in fact a Roman?)

There was also the use of an African language in Mister Eko flashback scenes in Nigeria. Was it Yoruba? The actor who plays him, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje speaks Yoruba, although I don't recall him speaking any himself.

There has been more use of French (in the episodes with young Rousseau arriving on the island) but even more Korean. If you are learning Korean you must be overjoyed that episodes with Jin, Sun and her family, have included lots of Korean dialogue.

I just like the show, but find its inclusion of language an interesting and fun sidenote.

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