Shogun: Why characters speak English instead of Portuguese

Shogun is a new limited historical drama series set in feudal Japan in 1600. And there’s one major thing about it that’s confusing viewers. Why do the characters in Shogun speak English despite claiming to speak Portuguese?

Before we get into exactly what’s going on with the use of language in Shogun, it’s worth providing some context.

The show follows sailor and navigator John Blackthorne, who is an Englishman. When he is shipwrecked in Japan, he becomes entangled in a violent battle for power between the country’s feudal lords.

It is immediately made clear to viewers that there is a significant Portuguese Catholic presence in Japan. This is historically accurate for the time period, when Portugal had much control over the region’s trade and embedded Catholicism in Japanese society.

As a Protestant, Blackthorne is immediately at odds with Catholic priests he encounters in Japan. Strangely, it is clearly stated in the show that they communicate with each other in Portuguese.

However, viewers only ever hear them converse in English. Similarly, Lord Yoshii Toranaga – a main character in Shogun – communicates with Blackthorne through Portuguese translator Toda Mariko.

But, once again, Mariko only speaks in either English or Japanese. She is never shown uttering a single word of Portuguese despite her translations. So, why is this and do any of the characters ever actually speak in Portuguese?

Do characters in Shogun speak English or Portuguese?

While the characters in Shogun speak English for the benefit of viewers, they are actually speaking Portuguese in the context of the show’s story.

During this time period in real life, these characters would have spoken Portuguese or Japanese. No one – except for Blackthorne – would have spoken English.

However, due to the show being an American production and its global distribution, the Portuguese language has been replaced with English presumably to make it accessible to as many audiences as possible.

This may seem like a confusing choice for some viewers, but it actually makes complete sense. By referring to English as Portuguese, it allows the show to remain historically accurate.

Likewise, all viewers need to do is suspend their disbelief and pretend the characters are really speaking in Portuguese (even though they aren’t).

What are your thoughts on the use of language in Shogun? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other Film & TV articles.