The critically acclaimed FX and Hulu series *Shōgun* has captivated audiences with its stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and intricate historical detail, transporting viewers to feudal Japan in the year 1600. However, amidst the samurai, political intrigue, and cultural clashes, one particular aspect has consistently puzzled many viewers: why do they call English Portuguese in Shōgun? This linguistic conundrum, where characters explicitly state they are speaking Portuguese yet audiences hear English, has sparked considerable discussion and confusion, prompting many to question the show's creative decisions.
Understanding this deliberate choice requires delving into both historical accuracy and the practicalities of modern television production. While it might initially seem like an oversight or a strange narrative quirk, *Shōgun*'s approach to language is, in fact, quite unique and serves a specific purpose: to maintain historical authenticity while ensuring the narrative remains accessible and engaging for its largely English-speaking audience. This article will explore the layers behind this fascinating linguistic decision, shedding light on the historical context, the show's creative intent, and the reactions from viewers worldwide.
Table of Contents
- The Lingering Question: Why "Portuguese" When It Sounds Like English?
- A Deep Dive into Shōgun's Unique Linguistic Approach
- Historical Accuracy: Portugal's Dominance in 17th Century Japan
- Unpacking the Multilingual Layers: Dutch, Japanese, and the "Proxy" Portuguese
- The Role of Translators and the Nuances of Cross-Cultural Communication
- Viewer Reactions and the Debate Over Shōgun's Linguistic Choices
- Shōgun's Narrative Genius: Balancing Authenticity with Accessibility
- Conclusion: Embracing Shōgun's Intentional Linguistic Landscape
The Lingering Question: Why "Portuguese" When It Sounds Like English?
From the very beginning of *Shōgun*, viewers are introduced to John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), an English pilot whose ship, the *Erasmus*, washes ashore in Japan. Immediately, the linguistic landscape of the show becomes a focal point of discussion. Despite the characters, including Blackthorne and his various translators, speaking what sounds unmistakably like English, they consistently refer to this language as Portuguese. This discrepancy has naturally caused some confusion among the audience, who might wonder, "Why do they call English Portuguese in Shōgun?" Several instances highlight this peculiar choice. Characters announce their intention to speak in Portuguese, only for the dialogue to be delivered in English. For example, when Blackthorne is asked if he speaks Portuguese, the question is posed in Dutch, yet the subsequent interaction, meant to be in Portuguese, is heard in English. This consistent pattern forces the audience to grapple with a unique narrative conceit: the English they are hearing is, within the world of *Shōgun*, understood to be Portuguese. This decision, while initially disorienting, is central to the show's clever approach to language and its commitment to historical context.A Deep Dive into Shōgun's Unique Linguistic Approach
*Shōgun*'s approach to translation and language is indeed quite unique, and it’s precisely this distinctiveness that has led to much of the audience's bewilderment. The core intention behind having characters speak in English while referring to it as Portuguese is to allow the show to remain historically accurate without alienating its primary audience. The creators understood that a truly authentic portrayal, with lengthy scenes entirely in 17th-century Portuguese and Japanese, would likely be inaccessible or tiresome for many viewers. By referring to English as Portuguese, the series employs a form of narrative shorthand. It’s a creative compromise that bridges the gap between historical reality and modern entertainment. The show implicitly asks its audience to suspend their disbelief and simply pretend that the characters are genuinely conversing in Portuguese, even though the spoken words are in English. This method ensures that the audience can better understand what is happening, following the intricate plot and character developments without constantly relying on subtitles for every non-Japanese interaction. This strategic choice is a testament to *Shōgun*'s clever approach to managing its multilingual narrative, aiming for both authenticity and broad appeal.Historical Accuracy: Portugal's Dominance in 17th Century Japan
To truly grasp why they call English Portuguese in *Shōgun*, it's essential to understand the historical backdrop of Japan in the year 1600. At this time, Portugal held a near-monopoly on trade and contact between Japan and the Western world. For decades, Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries had been the only Europeans present in Japan, establishing a significant cultural and commercial foothold. Consequently, Portuguese became the lingua franca for diplomacy and commerce between the Japanese and any European outsiders. John Blackthorne, as an Englishman, represented a new, unfamiliar presence in Japan. England, at this point, was largely unknown to the Japanese, and its language even more so. Therefore, it was historically improbable for Blackthorne to communicate directly with the Japanese in English. Instead, if he were to communicate with them at all, it would almost certainly have been through Portuguese, which was the established language of foreign interaction. The series accurately reflects this historical reality by portraying Portuguese as the default European language of communication. This is why, when powerful regent Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) needs to communicate with this "barbarian" Englishman, he summons the closest thing he can find to a "Brit" who might understand him: a Portuguese Catholic priest named Father Martin Alvito (Tommy Bastow). Father Alvito, being Portuguese, would naturally speak the language of diplomacy and trade, making him the logical choice to bridge the linguistic gap, even if the audience hears their exchange in English. The show's commitment to this historical detail, even while taking a creative liberty with the spoken language, underscores its dedication to an authentic portrayal of 17th-century Japan.Unpacking the Multilingual Layers: Dutch, Japanese, and the "Proxy" Portuguese
*Shōgun* is a tapestry woven with multiple languages, though not all are explicitly heard by the audience. While viewers primarily hear Japanese (with subtitles) and English, the narrative implies the presence of several other tongues, particularly Dutch and Portuguese. This complex linguistic layering is a key aspect of the show's immersive world-building.The Initial Dutch Encounter
In the opening scenes, on Blackthorne's ship and when his pirate crew is initially locked up, the characters are speaking Dutch. This is historically accurate, as Blackthorne's expedition was a Dutch-funded venture, and his crew would primarily be Dutch sailors. However, for the sake of audience comprehension, this Dutch dialogue is often spoken aloud as English. This is the first subtle hint of the show's linguistic strategy: what you hear isn't always what's "actually" being spoken in the world of the show. This initial substitution sets the precedent for the later use of English as a stand-in for Portuguese.The Japanese Language Barrier
A significant portion of *Shōgun* is spoken in Japanese, requiring subtitles for most English-speaking viewers. This choice immediately establishes the linguistic divide between Blackthorne and the Japanese. It emphasizes his status as an outsider, a "barbarian" who must navigate a completely foreign culture and language. The struggle for communication, the reliance on interpreters, and the gradual learning of Japanese by Blackthorne are central themes, highlighting the critical importance of professional interpreters and translators in facilitating genuine understanding and connection across different cultures.English as the Stand-in for Portuguese
Most of the "English" heard in *Shōgun* that is not Japanese is, in the world of the show, actually Portuguese. This applies to the interactions between John Blackthorne and his translators, and crucially, to his burgeoning relationship with Lady Mariko. When Blackthorne and Mariko are speaking to each other in what sounds like English, the narrative implies they are communicating in Portuguese. Mariko, having been educated by Jesuit priests, would have learned Portuguese, making it the most plausible common language between her and Blackthorne. This creative decision allows the show to depict the intimacy and complexity of their conversations without constantly forcing the audience to read subtitles for what would otherwise be Portuguese dialogue. It's a calculated risk that asks viewers to accept a linguistic convention for the sake of narrative flow and emotional impact.The Role of Translators and the Nuances of Cross-Cultural Communication
The role of translators is paramount in *Shōgun*, serving as crucial bridges between disparate cultures and languages. However, the show's linguistic convention also creates an interesting, almost "ludicrous" scenario involving these very translators. As the "Data Kalimat" points out, "all of Blackthorne’s translators speak English, but they go on saying they are speaking and translating to Portuguese." This is where the audience's suspension of disbelief is most tested. For instance, when Father Martin Alvito translates for Toranaga, he is explicitly stated to be translating from Japanese to Portuguese for Blackthorne, and vice versa. Yet, what we hear is Alvito speaking English to Blackthorne. This highlights the show's consistent application of its linguistic proxy system. The translators are performing their duties, but the language they use for the audience's benefit is English, even if the "in-world" language is Portuguese. This stylistic choice, while pragmatic for storytelling, has led some viewers to openly question the decision, feeling it "undermines a language spoken by roughly 250 million people across the globe." The critique suggests that if the audience can handle subtitles for Japanese, they could also handle subtitles for Portuguese, thus maintaining greater linguistic authenticity. However, the show's creators clearly prioritized a different kind of accessibility, aiming to make the complex political and personal dialogues immediately comprehensible without an additional layer of translation for the non-Japanese parts. Despite this creative liberty, *Shōgun* still effectively captures the beauty and complexity of communication across different cultures, and the critical importance of professional interpreters and translators in facilitating genuine understanding and connection.Viewer Reactions and the Debate Over Shōgun's Linguistic Choices
The linguistic choices in *Shōgun*, particularly the decision to refer to English as Portuguese, have elicited a wide range of reactions from viewers. For some, the initial confusion quickly dissipates as they become accustomed to the show's unique convention. They find that *Shōgun*'s language confusion, which sees English be referred to as Portuguese, can take a while to get used to but ultimately makes sense within the context of the show's broader goals. These viewers are willing to suspend their disbelief for the sake of narrative flow and accessibility. However, a significant portion of the audience has expressed a desire for more linguistic authenticity. Many wish that all three primary languages – Japanese, Dutch, and Portuguese – were subbed instead of using English as a proxy. The argument often made is, "If the audience can handle subtitles for the Japanese, they can handle it for Portuguese too." Some viewers even suggest a compromise: "They could at least started speaking in Portuguese and then within the conversation switch to English by saying the English character sucks at Portuguese and they prefer to speak in English." This would acknowledge the linguistic reality while still offering a pathway to English for ease of viewing. The sentiment that the decision "makes the world think that Portuguese sounds awfully like English" reflects a concern that the show, while aiming for historical accuracy, might inadvertently misrepresent or diminish the distinctiveness of the Portuguese language. This debate underscores the challenge faced by historical dramas: how to balance educational authenticity with the demands of mass entertainment. Ultimately, viewer reception to this particular linguistic choice varies widely, highlighting the subjective nature of what constitutes an "immersive" or "authentic" viewing experience.Shōgun's Narrative Genius: Balancing Authenticity with Accessibility
Despite the ongoing discussions about its linguistic approach, *Shōgun* has largely been hailed as a triumph, praised for its meticulous attention to detail, compelling performances, and gripping storyline. The show's creators made a calculated decision to prioritize audience accessibility in its multilingual presentation, and in many ways, this choice contributes to its widespread success. This is an Australian story about an Englishman's adventures in feudal Japan that was adapted into a TV show by an American production crew for consumption of largely English-speaking audiences. Given this target demographic, the decision to use English as a proxy for Portuguese becomes a pragmatic and understandable one. The series is set in late 16th century Japan, a period during which Portugal indeed controlled the islands' commerce with the West. The show's view that English is a Portuguese language, or rather, that English *represents* Portuguese, allows it to convey this historical reality without erecting constant linguistic barriers for the viewer. It allows the audience to focus on the complex character dynamics, the political machinations, and the rich cultural tapestry of feudal Japan, rather than being distracted by a multitude of subtitle tracks. By having John Blackthorne, also known as Anjin (按針, lit. "pilot"), communicate with the Japanese through a "Portuguese" medium (heard as English), the show maintains the narrative flow, making the intricate dialogues between Blackthorne, Mariko, and other characters immediately comprehensible. This balance between depicting historical accuracy (Portuguese as the lingua franca) and ensuring narrative accessibility (using English as a proxy) is a testament to *Shōgun*'s clever approach to storytelling. It's a strategic choice that, while not without its critics, ultimately serves the broader goal of delivering an epic and engaging historical drama to a global audience.Conclusion: Embracing Shōgun's Intentional Linguistic Landscape
The question of "why do they call English Portuguese in Shōgun?" unravels a fascinating aspect of modern historical drama production. It reveals a deliberate and calculated decision by the show's creators to balance rigorous historical accuracy with the practical demands of captivating a wide, primarily English-speaking audience. While the historical reality dictates that Portuguese was the dominant European language in 17th-century Japan, and Blackthorne would have communicated through it, the series cleverly uses English as a proxy to ensure the narrative remains fluid and easily digestible. This approach, though it requires a degree of suspended disbelief from the viewer, ultimately allows *Shōgun* to immerse its audience deeply into its world without the constant interruption of multiple subtitle tracks. It highlights the complexities of cross-cultural communication and the vital role of interpreters, even if the spoken language is a convenient substitute. As viewers, understanding this creative choice enhances our appreciation for the show's meticulous craftsmanship and its commitment to delivering an epic story. What are your thoughts on the use of language in *Shōgun*? Did you find it confusing, or did you quickly adapt to the show's unique linguistic landscape? Share your perspective in the comments below, and explore more articles on historical accuracy and storytelling techniques in our other features.
