At Japan’s Studio Ghibli, which has produced extraordinary animated films(动画片）since 1985, the best-known figure has always been one of the company’s founders, Hayao Miyazaki.
But an equally key figure is co-founder Isao Takahata, who has recently made a new feature, The Tale of Princess Kagnya. It is an unforgettable feature with an unusual hand-drawn aesthetic(美感).
The title character is a tiny baby girl who appears in a bamboo plant. She is found by a woodcutter, who takes her home and brings her up. He believes the little girl is a princess, and sets about preparing what he regards as a suitable world for her.
This original story is the oldest work of fiction in Japan; every child knows it in its simplified folktale form.
“It is a fascinating story with elements of wonder, humour, and sorrow,’’ Takahata says, “but these three elements are scattered(分散）about.” The chief challenge for anyone trying to adapt it is that “we are completely unable to comprehend what was in the heart of Princess Kaguya. Because of this, despite its being well known, few people consider it interesting. There have been several attempts at making a film out of the story, but they ended up being abandoned.”
He was connected with one of these attempts, but no one paid any attention to his concept.
“Fifty-five years later, I thought my concept was still appealing, and used it as a basis for turning the story into a feature film.”
His concept involves the princess’s origins, her expectations and her access to “the full range of human emotions”.
To realize his vision, Takahata says, “I needed to take the extremely individualistic brushwork and key designs of Osamu Tanabe and Kazuo Oga, two brilliantly talented artists, and have them permeate(扩散）throughout the film. The two of them drew many pictures, but they weren’t nearly enough. The most challenging part was to have all the other animation staff copy their styles in a free and easy way.”
The Tale of Princess Kaguya has been released, and people are saying that the two founders, now in their seventies, have directed their final films. But is it as clear-cut as that? When I ask Takahata about a scene of escape and urgency with a particularly distinctive (独特的) visual style, he says he had intended to use “this type of rough-drawn, forceful animation, in a project before this film.
“That project hasn’t been realized yet, but if it comes to pass, this style is essential.”
A hint, perhaps, there's still more to come.
1.Which of the following choices has got the right match?
①Hayao Miyazaki | a. one of the founders of Studio Ghibli |
② Isao Takahata | b. fictional character |
③ Kazuo Oga | c. famous artist |
④ Princess Kaguya | d. animation staff member of The Tale of Princess Kaguya |
A.① d B. ② a C.③ b D.④ c
2.Why is it challenging to adapt the original story to a feature film according to the passage?
A. Because people are in the dark about the feelings of Princess Kaguya.
B. Because the story itself offers a combination of wonder, humour and sorrow.
C. Because the story is too old to appeal to the audience nowadays.
D. Because every Japanese has been familiar with the story ever since childhood
3.From the Takahata version of The Tale of Princess Kaguya, we can expect the following except ________.
A. more details about the Princess’s origins and expectations
B. a forceful animation type featuring fine images and gentle brushwork
C. the distinctive brushwork and key designs from two gifted artists
D. a hand-drawn visual effect that brings out a unique sense of beauty
“I invented a new word. How do I get it into the dictionary?”
This is, by far, the question lexicographers(词典编纂者）hear the most. People invent new words all the time, but which ones actually make it into the dictionary? When lexicographers decide what words to add to dictionaries, they try to imagine what words users actually want to look up. There are important factors to keep in mind here.
1）Is the word in widespread usage?
The usage question is an important one that gets at the heart of how dictionaries are written. When modem lexicographers try to add words to dictionaries, they tend to approach their work from the angle of descriptivism — that is, they observe how the language is being used, see if it, s a common phenomenon, and then write definitions based on their research.
2）Does the word have staying power?
Widespread usage does not, however, guarantee a word a shiny new definition in a dictionary. Is the word going to stay around for a while, or is it just a passing fad? Is it likely to be in use in 5, 10, 20, or even 100 years? These are important questions to ask because there are far more updates and new words to be added to dictionaries than lexicographers have time to write.
3）Are you famous? Do you have influence?
If you’re famous, that could definitely up your chances of getting a word into a dictionary. Are you a writer? That could help. Take, for example, William Shakespeare, who invented (or at least popularized) hundreds of words and phrases commonly used today. Politicians also make their contributions. Abraham Lincoln invented the word neologize, and Winston Churchill has the first citation(引语）in the OED for many words, including fluffily and fly-in. So if you’re a person with influence and a following, the words you use can spread into common usage, which, as discussed above, is very important when it comes to gaining dictionary-entry.
4）Does the word fill a gap in the language?
If you’re not famous, there are other ways. Maybe you’re a scientist introducing new concepts to the public. Take, for example, the Higgs Boson particle(粒子), named after physicist Peter W. Higgs. But you don’t have to be a scientist to get your word a dictionary entry. Just look at Dominique Ansel, the pastry chef (糕点师) who captured the stomachs of New Yorkers with his dessert, the cronat. His invention even inspired copycats in the form of doissants and daffins.
Apart from these, it does sometimes help if the word is fun to say. The term blog is relatively new, which arose in 1999 when Peter Merholz made a light-hearted comment on the sidebar of his “weblog” telling his readers “I’ve decided to pronounce the word ‘weblog’ as wee’-blog. Or ‘blog’ for short.” And there’s also Dr. Seuss, who invented the term nerd.
So, why do some words make it into dictionaries while others don’t? With the knowledge discussed above in hand, the answer is more than obvious. Go forth! Use language creatively! Lexicographers are listening!
Title: How does a word gain 1.into the dictionary? | ||
Reasons | Details | Examples |
Being used 2. | With the approach of descriptivism, modem lexicographers will observe how commonly a word is used and 3.it according to their research. | |
Having staying power | The 4. a word remains in use, the more likely it is to be put into the dictionary. | |
Being invented by famous people | Chances of dictionary entry also 5. if the new word is invented by people of importance and influence. | hundreds of words and phrases invented by literary figures and 6.. |
7.a gap in the language | If a word introduces new scientific concepts, or 8. new inventions, it will probably get into the dictionary. the Higgs Boson particle; cromit, doissants, duffins | the Higgs Boson particle; cromit, doissants,duffins |
Being fun to say | Some words make it into dictionaries because they carry a 9.of fun when you use them. | 10.nerd |
“We need carbohydrates, protein and fat — they are like the wood in the fireplace. The vitamins and minerals are like the match, the spark, for the fuel,” she explains. “We need them all, but in a very different proportions. And if the fuel isn’t there, the spark is useless.”