Does Lelouch Speak Japanese?

[inulovinkit.livejournal.com]

Sounds silly, since Junjun certainly speaks Japanese, but considering that Geass takes place in a world where Britannia took over Japan and they obviously speak English there due to our little snippets of English fail in the background, this question popped into my mind.

We know Suzaku and Kallen are definitely bilingual, but what about Lelouch? I know he lived in Japan for a year before it was conquered by Britannia, so maybe a little bit...if he is fluent (which is very possible, considering Lelouch never seemed to be the one to pass up a new skill like learning a new language) then perhaps it would explain why the Black Knights thought it was so weird that he wasn't Japanese, because maybe he DID speak Japanese to them.

I just think its something interesting to think about, because due to our own language barriers in dubbing, it's something we'll probably never know.

Comments

[rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com]

This is a great question, and I've thought about this before. In season one, we see Eleven commoners and Britannian noblemen speaking to each other, so they ought to share some sort of language. But Suzaku's statement about frogs does make it seem like there is a "Japanese" out there.

In the end, I just decided that in Geass' world, everyone speaks a common language. But then in Turn 8, Lelouch had to ask what "nationality" was and brought up language. This pretty much tells us that there are more than one language out there. Bastard. So I now revise my opinion to "everyone in the great powers probably speaks a common language". Since Britannia is dominant, maybe everywhere else in the world learns English in addition to their mother tongue? Sorta like how many young Europeans nowadays are bi- or tri-lingual, while most young Americans know only English.

However, as far as Lelouch and Suzaku are concerned, we have to remember that they are privileged kids born into upper-crust families that are knee-deep in national governance. I wouldn't be surprised if Suzaku knew English or if Lelouch knew quite a bit of Japanese prior to their meeting. And I wouldn't be surprised if Lelouch eventually became fluent in Japanese simply because it would be "useful".

What gets me is: What language do the Black Knights use when they're hanging around? Japanese would make contextual sense, but I doubt that Diethard and Raksharta are both fluent. I guess the Black Knights hold their meetings in English, then. =P

[dragonmists753.livejournal.com]

I agree that because most of the main characters are either in the upper-class or in the military and heavily involved in national politics that they'd know more than one language. I also agree that Lelouch is most likely fluent in Japanese.

What's really confusing to me is when I start to try to figure out what language they're talking when. What with it being in Japanese, subbed in English, and random bits of English thrown in, eventually I decided to stop thinking about it unless something brings attention to it in the show. And when they get to China, gah! It gives me a headache just thinking about it.

That's a good question. What language do the Black Knights speak? I figure they all know English well since Japan was conquered but I don't think Diethard and Raksharta would know enough Japanese for the meetings to be held in it. But it'd make sense to me if when those two aren't around they'd talk a lot more in Japanese. Kinda of a keeping their culture alive kinda thing, but then switching to English when those two are around, just as a polite thing.

[rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com]

I just pretty much assume it's English all the time. Stuff like "YESU, MAI LORDO" and whatnot strikes me as just a shallow way for Sunrise to remind us "lol, occupied by foreigners". But then, we hear phrases from the JFL and Urabe like "Nippon banzai!" which would be absolutely silly if it was said in English. Likewise, it would seem silly that 10 year-old ore!Suzaku would have spoken English while beating up Lelouch the first time they met.

Urghhh. Really, the truth of the matter is that Sunrise probably has no fucking clue, either. I think we're thinking more than they want us to, lol. This is why we leave it up to fic to address stuff like this... >_>

[rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com]

P.S. Speaking as a biologist...icon love. ♥

[furato.livejournal.com]

I...I love your icon and it makes me realise how I miss working in research. LOL *_*

[dragonmists753.livejournal.com]

lol. I love it too. I snatched it from someone awhile ago but I don't remember who. *runs away from angry crowd shouting about stealing*

I know, when I found it I was taking a break from writing a research paper. It took me forever to see the whole thing 'cause I was laughing so hard. The best part is that I had actually used some of those terms. *shakes head* icon, so true.