BackJAN 17 2025
Transmission by THE BAND
// ARCHIVE

NOTE: ON_TRANSLATION

TECHNICAL Read

TWO LANGUAGES, TWO TRUTHS

When we translated "Japan" into Japanese, the song shifted.

"私は日本へ行った / マリコさんを探すために" "I went to Japan / to find Mariko-san"

Same words. Same story. But in Japanese, the longing feels heavier. The search feels more reverent. The failure feels more profound.

In English, it's a traveler's lament.
In Japanese, it's a prayer to ghosts.

We're broadcasting both frequencies:

  • English: For those who hear the story
  • Japanese: For those who feel the ache

Some emotions don't translate cleanly. Certain kinds of sacred longing only exist in Japanese.
Certain kinds of romantic failure only exist in English.

So we gave you both versions. Same pilgrimage. Different ghosts.

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