Re: Languages in Gibson's Passion

On Mon, Mar 08, 2004 at 08:03:28PM -0000, And Rosta wrote:
> John L. Leland:
> > I saw this film yesterday and was struck by several things that seemed
> > to me linguistic incongruities:
This has been discussed in some depth on sci.lang; you might want to
take a look at that discussion.  The principal thread is available here:

        http://xrl.us/bpzh (Link to groups.google.com)

Basically, the discrepancies were artistic decisions jointly made by
Gibson and the scholar responsible for the language, one Rev. William
Fulco, who were fully aware of the historical inaccuracy of some of the
choices.  Personaly I'm completely boggled by the exclusion of Greek,
especially from the inscription over the cross, but I can see where
having Pilate speak Aramaic and Jesus answer in Latin would be good
theatre.  "Ha-ha!  I can speak to you in your language!"  "Ha-HA!  So
can I!"  Right up there with the duel from "Princess Bride".  ("I am not
left handed!" [. . .]  "I am not left-handed either!")

The Latin is purportedly Vulgar, and certainly not Classical.  It is
given an Ecclesiastical-sounding pronunciation, which is probably not
correct, but then the Restored Classical wouldn't be either.

-Mark

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