AMD - Völlig Unoriginal but something better in the works

For this adventure with German have I Ghost seen. Jedermann hat das Filme Gesehen aber hast du ihn mit Deutscher Untertitel gesehen? Das habe ich mir gedacht!

The following is my analysis and critique of the German subtitles of a certain early scene where Patrick Swayze(Sam) and Demi Moore(Molly) argue over a chair.

Molly

Audio:         What’s this chair doing here?

Subtitle:      Was macht der Stuhl hier?

W-for-W Transliteration: What does the chair here?

Sam

Audio:         What do you mean? I love that chair.

Sub:            Das ist mein Lieblingsstuhl.

TransL:       That is my favorite-chair.

Molly

Audio:         I thought we discussed this.

Sub:            Ich dachte, wir hätten das geklärt.

TransL:       I thought, we *had* that (cleared up).

This subtitle sentence is a great one to expand on. The first clause uses regular Präteritum, aka simple past. The second clause is not only uses Plusquamperfekt, but also the Konjunctive II mood shown by “hätten” as opposed to regular Plusquamperfekt’s “hatten.” This inserts some doubt into her assumption.

The only possible fault I see here is that the second clause should begin with “dass.” I think Herr Rastalsky said this (whatever it is, subordinating conjunction?) is not necessary in English but is always required in German.

Sam:

Audio:         I’ve had it forever. When I watch TV, I sit in it.

Sub:           Ich habe ihn schon ewig. In ihm sehe ich fern.

TransL:        I have him already (eternized?). In him watch I TV.

Another suggestion: Wenn ich sehe fern, sitze ich

But don’t forget that ‘fern’ is literally ‘far’!

Molly

Audio:         This chair is ugly. And it doesn’t go with anything.

Sub:            Der Stuhl ist hässlich. Und er passt zu nichts.

TransL:        The chair is ugly.          And he fits to nothing.

Would it sound stilted to say “Dieser Stuhl…”?

Sam

Audio:         It goes with me.

Sub:            Er passt zu mir.

TransL:        He fits to me.

Molly

Audio:         You’re right. It does.

Sub:           Stimmt, das tut er.

TransL:        Correct, that does he.

It is possible the reason for omitting subtitles for audio of “What do you mean?” is that “Was meinst du?” is not something commonly said in everyday speech. Or perhaps the Subtitler just missed a phrase.

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JeSt