German Reacts to German (?) Scenes in Hollywood Movies! | Feli from Germany

Feli from Germany
30 Apr 202138:01
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script is a detailed review by Felicia, a German native speaker and YouTuber, who critiques and reacts to the portrayal of the German language and accents in various Hollywood movies and TV shows. She discusses the authenticity of the German spoken by actors, the use of German words and phrases, and the accuracy of accents. Felicia also provides cultural context and explains certain German words that were misused or misunderstood in the media. The video includes scenes from 'Django Unchained,' 'Ocean's 8,' 'Inglourious Basterds,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' 'X-Men: First Class,' 'Scrubs,' and 'The Big Bang Theory.' Felicia offers insights into the German dubbing industry and shares her personal experiences as a German speaker watching English-language media. She also suggests that she could create a video on how to do an authentic German accent, given the frequent misrepresentations.

Takeaways
  • 🎬 The video discusses the portrayal of German accents and characters in Hollywood movies and TV shows from the perspective of a German native speaker.
  • πŸ—£οΈ German native speaker Felicia reacts to scenes featuring German dialogues or accents, noting the authenticity and inaccuracies in the language use.
  • πŸ“Ί In Germany, non-German speaking movies and TV shows are usually dubbed, which is a big and professional industry there.
  • πŸ‘ Actor Kristoff Fassbender, born in Vienna, Austria, is praised for his authentic German speech in 'Django Unchained' despite not having a strong Austrian accent.
  • πŸ‘ Sandra Bullock, who grew up in Germany and Austria, is recognized for her good German language skills, although her accent might not be distinctly German.
  • πŸ€” The video highlights the challenge for actors who usually perform in English in Hollywood when they are required to speak their native German.
  • 🎭 The portrayal of German characters is sometimes inaccurate, with non-native speakers being cast and sometimes mispronouncing or misusing the language.
  • πŸ˜… Humorous mistakes are made in the script, such as made-up German words or phrases that don't exist in the language.
  • πŸ‘‰ The video points out that even when German words are used in a sentence, they may not be used in a way that is natural or correct for German speakers.
  • πŸ“š Felicia offers to make a video teaching an authentic German accent, suggesting that many portrayals in media get it wrong.
  • πŸ“Ί The video ends with a call for more suggestions of scenes to analyze in future videos, indicating the interest in continuing this discussion.
Q & A
  • What is the general perception of German dubbing in the film and television industry in Germany?

    -The German dubbing industry is quite large and professional. Non-German speaking movies and TV shows are usually dubbed in German for the German audience, with only a few exceptions shown in their original version.

  • Why does Felicia, the YouTuber, find it interesting to listen to the accents of German characters in English-speaking movies?

    -Felicia finds it interesting because German native speakers are not always cast for German roles, and she enjoys analyzing their word choice, what they're saying, and how their accents sound.

  • How does Felicia feel about the use of the word 'foine' in the movie 'Django Unchained'?

    -Felicia notes that 'foine' is an outdated term and is no longer used in modern German. Using it could be perceived as impolite or condescending, similar to using a sarcastic tone.

  • What language does Sandra Bullock speak in the movie 'Ocean's 8'?

    -Sandra Bullock speaks German in the movie 'Ocean's 8'. She spent her formative years in Germany and Austria, which influenced her language skills.

  • Why did the character in 'Inglourious Basterds' get caught due to their hand gesture?

    -The character was caught because they used a hand gesture to indicate the number three that is typical of British or American people, not Germans, which revealed they were not a native German speaker.

  • What is the issue with the German word used in 'How I Met Your Mother'?

    -The issue is that the word used is not an actual German word. It was made up for the show and does not make sense in the German language.

  • Why did the producers of 'The Big Bang Theory' not cast a native German speaker for the character Herman the German?

    -The script does not provide a specific reason, but it is noted as a missed opportunity for authenticity, especially since the character's name implies a German background.

  • How does Felicia feel about the German accent portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie 'Fury'?

    -Felicia appreciates Brad Pitt's effort and notes that he did a really good job with the German language. He had an interest in speaking it and mentioned taking classes specifically for the movie.

  • What does Felicia think about the German words and phrases used in the sitcom 'Scrubs'?

    -Felicia finds the use of German in 'Scrubs' to be inaccurate and misleading. The grammar and word usage are incorrect, and the accents do not sound native, which she finds confusing and amusing.

  • What is the cultural significance of the Bavarian flag in the 'Fun With Flags' scene from 'The Big Bang Theory'?

    -The Bavarian flag represents a cultural region within Germany, which is often associated with traditional German stereotypes. The use of the Bavarian flag instead of the German flag in the show is a humorous oversight.

  • Why does Felicia think that many American productions get German accents wrong?

    -Felicia suggests that many American actors and the productions they work on do not accurately portray the German accent, possibly due to a lack of proper language coaching or not casting native German speakers.

Outlines
00:00
🎬 German Accents in Hollywood: A Native Speaker's Perspective

Felicia, a German native from Munich now living in Cincinnati, discusses the German dubbing industry and her experiences watching English-speaking movies with German characters. She offers to create a video teaching an authentic German accent and reacts to famous German scenes from Hollywood movies, including 'Django Unchained,' with observations on the actors' accents and word choices.

05:11
πŸ—£οΈ Authenticity of German Accents in Film: A Closer Look

The paragraph delves into the authenticity of German accents in films, focusing on actors like Kristoff FZ and Carrie Washington in 'Django Unchained' and their ability to speak German. It also touches on Sandra Bullock's and Heidi Klum's performances in 'Ocean's 8,' discussing their backgrounds and the nuances of their German language use.

10:11
πŸŽ₯ Analyzing German Dialogues in 'Inglourious Basterds'

Felicia thanks Skillshare for sponsoring the video and promotes its learning platform before analyzing the infamous bar scene from 'Inglourious Basterds.' She discusses the performances of German actors Diane Kruger and Til Schweiger, highlighting the authenticity of their German speech and the cultural nuances captured in the dialogue.

15:25
πŸ“Ί German in American TV: A Critique of 'How I Met Your Mother'

The paragraph critiques the use of German language and accents in 'How I Met Your Mother,' pointing out the inaccuracies and made-up words used by characters. Felicia expresses her love for the show but highlights the cringe-worthy moments when the characters attempt to speak German, including the misuse of words and the portrayal of German culture.

20:26
🀣 Misunderstandings in Translation: German in American Media

Felicia discusses the misuse of the German language in American media, particularly in the TV show 'Scrubs,' where a character inaccurately translates medical terms. She also addresses the challenge of casting native German speakers for German roles and the importance of accurate representation in media.

25:27
πŸ“š Skillshare Promotion and German in 'The Big Bang Theory'

The final paragraph includes a brief promotion for Skillshare before Felicia comments on a scene from 'The Big Bang Theory,' where Sheldon Cooper presents 'Fun With Flags' focusing on Germany. She finds humor in the common American misconceptions about German culture and language, such as the conflation of Bavaria with the entirety of Germany.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘German accent
The German accent refers to the pronunciation and intonation characteristics of the German language as spoken by native speakers. In the video, the host Felicia, a German native, critiques and analyzes the authenticity of German accents portrayed by actors in various Hollywood movies and TV shows. The accent is a central theme as it is used to evaluate the accuracy of German representation in media.
πŸ’‘Dubbing
Dubbing is the process of replacing the original voice track of a film or video production with a different language. In the context of the video, Felicia discusses how non-German speaking movies and TV shows are dubbed into German, which was the norm during her upbringing in Germany. This keyword is significant as it sets the stage for the host's perspective on how German characters are portrayed in English-speaking originals.
πŸ’‘Native speaker
A native speaker is a person who has spoken a language since early childhood, typically born into a community where that language is spoken. The video frequently refers to native German speakers to emphasize the authenticity of language use. Actors' portrayals are compared against native speakers to highlight the accuracy or inaccuracy of their German accents and language use.
πŸ’‘Compound words
Compound words are formed by joining two or more separate words together to create a new word with a unique meaning. In the video, Felicia explains that German is known for its long compound words, which is a feature of the language that often surprises non-German speakers. This concept is illustrated by the host when she talks about the humor derived from long, made-up German words in a sitcom scene.
πŸ’‘Cultural nuances
Cultural nuances refer to the subtle details or features of a culture that can distinguish it from others. The video explores cultural nuances in the context of how Germans are depicted in media. For instance, Felicia points out gestures and language use that are not typically German, highlighting the gap between portrayal and reality.
πŸ’‘Historical movies
Historical movies are films that depict events and settings from the past. The video mentions that German characters are often featured in historical movies, which provides a context for discussing the authenticity of German representation. These movies set the backdrop for analyzing the language and accents used by actors playing German roles.
πŸ’‘Sitcom
A sitcom, short for 'situational comedy,' is a genre of comedy centered around a fixed set of characters and often set in a common environment. The video includes analysis of German language use and accents in sitcoms like 'How I Met Your Mother' and 'The Big Bang Theory,' which are used to critique the accuracy and humor related to German representation.
πŸ’‘Accent authenticity
Accent authenticity refers to how accurately an actor's or speaker's accent reflects the genuine pronunciation of a region or language. Felicia evaluates the authenticity of the German accents in various movie scenes, noting when they ring true to her as a native speaker and when they fall short. This keyword is central to the video's aim to provide insight into the portrayal of Germans in media.
πŸ’‘German language
The German language is a West Germanic language mainly spoken in Central Europe. The video's focus is on the use and portrayal of the German language in American media, with Felicia providing insights as a native speaker. The language is a key element in the critique of how German characters and culture are represented in Hollywood productions.
πŸ’‘Media representation
Media representation refers to how individuals, cultures, or groups are depicted in various forms of media, such as film and television. The video script discusses the representation of Germans and the German language in American media, with a focus on the accuracy of language, accents, and cultural references. This keyword is pivotal in understanding the video's exploration of cultural portrayal and authenticity.
πŸ’‘Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning community offering thousands of classes on diverse topics. In the video, Felicia mentions Skillshare as a sponsor and discusses the platform's offerings, which include classes on video creation, photography, and language learning. This keyword is relevant as it provides context for the video's promotional content and highlights opportunities for learning new skills, including languages.
Highlights

Felicia, a German native speaker from Munich, discusses the inaccuracies and stereotypes of German accents in Hollywood movies and TV shows.

In Germany, non-German speaking movies and TV shows are usually dubbed, making it hard to notice inaccuracies in native language portrayals.

Felicia finds it interesting to listen to the accents of German characters, as they often do not cast German native speakers for these roles.

Kristoff Fassbender, an Austrian actor, convincingly plays a German character in 'Django Unchained', with a subtle accent.

Carrie Washington's German in the same movie has a French accent, possibly intentional for her character's backstory.

Sandra Bullock, having grown up in Germany, convincingly speaks German with a slight accent in 'Ocean's 8'.

Heidi Klum, a German model and TV personality, is known for her work both in the US and Germany.

In 'Inglourious Basterds', the actors' portrayal of German speech and cultural nuances are well-executed, despite some characters not being native speakers.

Michael Fassbender's German in the movie is impressive, given his mixed heritage and language coaching for the role.

The use of non-native German words and phrases in 'How I Met Your Mother' are humorously inaccurate, even to non-German speakers.

Kevin Bacon's attempt at a German accent in 'X-Men: First Class' is not authentic, but still understandable.

Brad Pitt's German in 'Fury' is surprisingly good, reflecting his interest in the language.

Sarah Chalke's German heritage influences her accent in 'Scrubs', despite not being a native speaker.

In 'The Big Bang Theory', Sheldon's misuse of German words and the Bavarian flag instead of the German flag highlights common American misconceptions about German culture.

Felicia offers to create a video teaching an authentic German accent, as many American portrayals are inaccurate.

The German dubbed version of 'How I Met Your Mother' had to replace made-up German words with actual German words, indicating the original script's inaccuracies.

Felicia's video provides insight into the complexities of language portrayal in media and the importance of cultural authenticity.

Transcripts
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