NEGOTIATING MEANING ACROSS VARIETIES: THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE VARIATION IN SHAPING TRANSLATION CHOICES / NEGOTIARE IL SIGNIFICATO TRA LE VARIETÀ: IL RUOLO DELLA VARIAZIONE LINGUISTICA NELLA FORMAZIONE DELLE SCELTE TRADUTTIVE

Paola Manuela Terlizzi, Vikram Danugan

Abstract


This article examines the multifaceted relationship between language variation and translation, with a particular focus on how translators handle dialectal features, regionalisms, and sociolinguistic markers in their work. While translation has traditionally been framed as a process of transferring meaning from one standardized language system to another, such an approach often overlooks the internal diversity present within languages themselves. This internal variation—manifested through dialects, sociolects, and other markers of regional or social identity—poses unique challenges to the translator. Translators are frequently called upon not only to convey linguistic content but also to mediate social, cultural, and identity-based dimensions embedded in the language of the source text. The study begins by surveying theoretical contributions from both translation studies and sociolinguistics, including the work of scholars such as Eugene Nida, Mona Baker, Lawrence Venuti, and Peter Trudgill. These perspectives help frame the central question of the article: how do translators make informed decisions when faced with linguistic variation, and what are the implications of these decisions for the representation of culture, identity, and power? The article then presents a series of case studies from literary, audiovisual, and institutional contexts to illustrate how different domains of translation engage with language variation. In literary translation, for example, dialect often plays a crucial role in constructing character voice and regional authenticity. Rendering these features into another language presents significant dilemmas: should a translator search for an equivalent dialect in the target language, use standardized language, or invent a stylized form of speech that mimics the effect of the original? These questions are explored through comparative analyses of translated novels and their treatment of dialects and colloquialisms. In audiovisual translation, particularly in subtitling and dubbing, the challenge of linguistic variation is compounded by spatial and temporal constraints. Translators must often choose between preserving the flavor of regional speech and ensuring comprehension for a broad audience. The article examines how series like Peaky Blinders or The Wire have been translated for non-English-speaking audiences, noting the varying degrees to which dialect and sociolect have been retained, adapted, or erased. The discussion also extends to institutional and legal translation, where dialectal language may carry significant legal or political weight. For instance, in court interpreting or translation of witness testimonies, capturing the original speaker’s dialect and sociolect can be critical to maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the discourse. Overall, the article argues that language variation is not a peripheral concern but a central aspect of translation practice, one that reveals the translator's role as a cultural and sociolinguistic mediator. Rather than erasing variation in favor of uniformity, translators should be encouraged to engage with it in ways that preserve its communicative and cultural value. By doing so, translation can become a more inclusive and reflective practice that respects the richness and diversity of human language.

Questo articolo esamina la relazione multifaccettata tra variazione linguistica e traduzione, con un focus particolare su come i traduttori affrontano caratteristiche dialettali, regionalismi e marcatori sociolinguistici nel loro lavoro. Sebbene la traduzione sia stata tradizionalmente intesa come un processo di trasferimento del significato da un sistema linguistico standardizzato a un altro, tale approccio trascura spesso la diversità interna presente all’interno delle lingue stesse. Questa variazione interna — manifestata attraverso dialetti, socioletti e altri marcatori di identità regionale o sociale — rappresenta una sfida unica per il traduttore. I traduttori sono frequentemente chiamati non solo a trasmettere il contenuto linguistico, ma anche a mediare dimensioni sociali, culturali e identitarie insite nel linguaggio del testo di partenza. Lo studio inizia con un’analisi delle principali teorie provenienti dagli studi sulla traduzione e dalla sociolinguistica, includendo il lavoro di studiosi come Eugene Nida, Mona Baker, Lawrence Venuti e Peter Trudgill. Queste prospettive aiutano a inquadrare la domanda centrale dell’articolo: come prendono decisioni informate i traduttori quando si confrontano con la variazione linguistica e quali sono le implicazioni di tali decisioni per la rappresentazione di cultura, identità e potere? L’articolo presenta quindi una serie di casi studio tratti da contesti letterari, audiovisivi e istituzionali per illustrare come diversi ambiti della traduzione affrontino la variazione linguistica. Nella traduzione letteraria, ad esempio, il dialetto svolge spesso un ruolo cruciale nella costruzione della voce del personaggio e nell’autenticità regionale. Rendere queste caratteristiche in un’altra lingua presenta dilemmi significativi: un traduttore dovrebbe cercare un dialetto equivalente nella lingua di arrivo, utilizzare un linguaggio standardizzato o inventare una forma stilizzata di linguaggio che imiti l’effetto dell’originale? Questi interrogativi vengono esplorati attraverso analisi comparative di romanzi tradotti e del loro trattamento di dialetti e colloquialismi. Nella traduzione audiovisiva, in particolare nel doppiaggio e nei sottotitoli, la sfida della variazione linguistica è aggravata da vincoli spaziali e temporali. I traduttori devono spesso scegliere tra preservare il sapore del linguaggio regionale e garantire la comprensione a un pubblico più ampio. L’articolo analizza come serie come Peaky Blinders o The Wire siano state tradotte per pubblico non anglofono, evidenziando i diversi gradi con cui dialetto e socioletto sono stati mantenuti, adattati o eliminati. La discussione si estende anche alla traduzione istituzionale e legale, dove la lingua dialettale può assumere un peso legale o politico significativo. Per esempio, nell’interpretariato giudiziario o nella traduzione di testimonianze, catturare il dialetto e il socioletto dell’oratore originale può essere fondamentale per mantenere l’autenticità e l’integrità del discorso. Nel complesso, l’articolo sostiene che la variazione linguistica non è un problema periferico ma un aspetto centrale della pratica traduttiva, che rivela il ruolo del traduttore come mediatore culturale e sociolinguistico. Piuttosto che cancellare la variazione in favore dell’uniformità, i traduttori dovrebbero essere incoraggiati a interagire con essa in modi che ne preservino il valore comunicativo e culturale. Così facendo, la traduzione può diventare una pratica più inclusiva e riflessiva, che rispetta la ricchezza e la diversità del linguaggio umano.

 

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Keywords


translation studies; language variation; dialects; sociolinguistics; regionalisms; equivalence; translator choices; cultural context / studi sulla traduzione; variazione linguistica; dialetti; sociolinguistica; regionalismi; equivalenza;...

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejmts.v5i1.623

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