Dialogue in and between Different Cultures - International ...

References Translating Colloquial Language / Speech: The case of
slang and dialect
Elena Xeni
University of Cyprus
Introducing Colloquial Language/Speech (CL/S) through definition attempts and a
presentation of its characteristics, the particular paper discusses the translation of CL/S
in general and slang and dialect in particular in the frame of strategies and norms
governing the behavior patterns of translators observed during the translation process.
The paper concludes with remarks and suggestions for further research in an area that
much should be observed and investigated within the years to come.
1. Introduction
Being a category of lexis (general language words), colloquial language or speech
is acknowledged as the most extreme form of language and a phenomenon of
time, place, social class, level of education, cultural conditions and individual
speech (Leighton 1991). Encountered frequently in teenager’s language which
departs from the norms of spoken literacy, colloquial language although peculiar,
is unique and attractive when translated (Xeni 2000, Xeni in press).
Viewing definitions of the linguistic element in question as well as examples
deriving from well-known literature for children and young adults written in
English, the present paper will focus on the translation of colloquial speech from
English into Greek. Taking into account that even though “attempts in the
recreation of colloquial speech can enrich a translation, they can also irreparably
harm it” (Leighton 1991:126), an attempt is made for norms and strategies
employed while translating colloquial speech to be detected and identified
providing better quality translations in years where a need of communication
across languages and cultures is essential.
2. Definition and characteristics of colloquial language/speech (CL/S)
In an attempt to define colloquial language/speech (CL/S), Leighton (1991:207)
indicates that
Colloquial Language or Speech is the signification of non-literary form and phraseology
of spoken language […] which covers every verbal manifestation or irregular speech,