Japanese viewers missing English/Latin/Etc references

[einhorn303]

Usually, when it comes to missing linguistic references in anime, you think of non-Japanese speakers.

But as I was watching the Simoun DVD's, in their little "Voice Actor Game Show" specials, I noticed how they didn't really understand the implications of terms like "chor," "Tempus Spatium," and so on. Quizzed on what a "chor" is, they answered, "When you get a goal in soccer! (score) Uh, no, it's uh, like...a team or something right?" They only understood it in the context of the show, as some made-up fantasy word.

When you think about it, there are a lot of non-Japanese language references like that in anime. The geis/geas from Irish folklore, "celestial being," The Lance of Longinus, etc. Even if they do it to sound cool, it's still kind of odd, especially if you think anime is still being made for a mostly foreign audience. And R2 anime never has "TL notes," unlike R1 DVD's and fansubs do.

[qtipbrit]

Originally Posted by einhorn303

The geis/geas from Irish folklore, "celestial being," The Lance of Longinus, etc. Even if they do it to sound cool, it's still kind of odd, especially if you think anime is still being made for a mostly foreign audience. And R2 anime never has "TL notes," unlike R1 DVD's and fansubs do.

Actually, a lot of Geass' names are based on European/Latin-based roots: Knightmare (oh, come on, like most Japanese teenagers would get it XD), Schneizel, Clovis, Euphemia, etc. C.C.'s green hair might also be some kind of pointer.
Names of organisations not stricly Japanese are rarely in Japanese, actually. Celestial Being is never strictly said to have any Japanese members, though they speak Japanese simply because it's anime.
Evangelion contains plenty of Biblical references (relevant or not is a different story), since its creators were said to have wanted to create interest in the Bible in Japan (and seemingly, it worked). The Lance of Longinus was also the spear that pierced Jesus when he was crucidfied, something that may point to a scene in End of Evangelion...
While I've personally found it a bit... weird that there's so many English references, names, titles, etc. in anime, but it's partly a matter of interest. Japan has followed western movements for some time, and English is increasingly popular among its youth. Anime probably wouldn't be an exception to this.

[yezhanquan]

I don't think so. Anime is still primarily targeted at Japanese consumers. Besides, taking aspects from different cultures isn't any big deal, IMO.

[Ash Falls Town]

Originally Posted by qtipbrit92

C.C.'s green hair might also be some kind of pointer.

Off topic but does that mean C.C's hair is a reference to Cu Sith?
Anyway on topic a lot of people can miss references even if they are familiar with the culture being referenced. Even still these sorts of things usually aren't necessary to understand the plot they are just little Easter Corporation Eggs. So really it doesn't really matter.

[HayashiTakara]

Well you gotta look at it like this too... how many americans or western viewers actually get the references as well? the most a person can probably get is "some european country."

[tetsuo]

I know that there are quite abit now in bleach with the arrancar. As the espadas which in spanish means "Sword" and with Chad's arms names. Right arm of the Devil, and Left Arm of the Giant..translated that is. Also just the word arrancar mean to like, rev up or start up as in like a car but in this cause I guess they're talkin' about powering up the characters or something.