Do you know the universe of Star Wars (Star Wars) ? On August 8, a very special version of the first film in this saga, released in 1977, was screened in a cinema in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is an adaptation in Ojibwe, the language spoken by the members of the Anishinaabe First Nation, a community very present in the province. It was the first time that a film in the franchise Star Wars was translated into a native language. In the newspaper Freedomwe spoke to the Jedis behind this initiative! ???? Here’s what they had to say.
Anangong Miigaading
This is the Ojibwe language translation of Star Wars. The biggest challenge of such a translation? Finding the right words in Ojibwe, while remaining faithful to the original version. “We had to take into account the fact that Ojibwe doesn’t always translate exactly the same thought as in English,” explains Ajuawak Kapashesit, the actor who dubbed Han Solo’s voice.
“Even if he speaks another language, we want the character to be as similar as possible to the original,” he adds.
In some cases, it was even necessary to create words for certain concepts that do not exist in the Ojibwe language, such as… lightsaber!
Additionally, in order for the characters in the film to appear to speak naturally in Ojibwe, some sentences had to be edited to be the right length and lip-synced. Sometimes this was not easy, especially with the humor.
“There is a lot of sarcasm in Star Wars. But sarcasm is a type of humor that doesn’t really translate into Ojibwe, at least not in the same way,” says Cary Miller, the project leader and a professor of indigenous languages.
Values that everyone shares
The translation project is a collaboration between the University of Manitoba, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (a Canadian television network) and the Dakota Obijway First Nations council. The goal of this adaptation? To inspire young people from the Anishinaabe Nation to watch a film in the language of their community. It’s a way to ensure that these languages remain alive and well.
In addition, Star Wars depicts ideas that are close to the values of Indigenous peoples. For example, the way the characters talk about the Force, which is everywhere and connects us to nature, recalls beliefs that are important to First Nations people.
“Seeing these concepts reflected in a major motion picture will encourage our young people, I think, to accept and acknowledge these ideas,” Miller said.
The film will air on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network channel on October 13, 2024. It is also expected to be released on the Disney+ platform, but no date has been announced yet.
By Clémence Tessier
Want to know more?
Do you like to understand current events?
Come take a look at lesasdelinfo.com. We also have a whole section for teachers!
An initiative of the Information Coops supported by the Government of Canada.
