Dialect and Dialect and RegisterRegister

Dr Wiebke Brockhaus-Dr Wiebke Brockhaus-GrandGrand

German StudiesGerman Studies

Week 10Week 102. Variation and the translator2. Variation and the translator

2.1 2.1 Identifying varieties in the source Identifying varieties in the source languagelanguage

2.2 2.2 Establishing the cultural Establishing the cultural significance of variation in the source significance of variation in the source language textlanguage text

2.3 2.3 Identifying parallel varieties in Identifying parallel varieties in the target languagethe target language

2.4 2.4 Resolving cultural dissimilarity – Resolving cultural dissimilarity – lost in translation?lost in translation?

2.1 Identifying varieties in the 2.1 Identifying varieties in the source language source language   

You see something that looks unusual in You see something that looks unusual in the source language. How can you tell the source language. How can you tell what it is?what it is? Use any clues given by the author – with some Use any clues given by the author – with some

common sense, you can normally work out common sense, you can normally work out what the unusual bit of language is meant to what the unusual bit of language is meant to represent (see Example E)represent (see Example E)

If not, try asking a native speaker (But do they If not, try asking a native speaker (But do they always know? See Example A and below)always know? See Example A and below)

Has tha fell out wi’ im? Has tha fell out wi’ im? Dinna gan doun their? Dinna gan doun their? Wha is she a-doin of? Wha is she a-doin of?

2.1 Identifying varieties in the 2.1 Identifying varieties in the source language source language   

Research the work in the literature (on the Research the work in the literature (on the Web!) if you can’t find the answers any other Web!) if you can’t find the answers any other wayway

2.2 2.2 Establishing the cultural Establishing the cultural significance of variation in the significance of variation in the

source language textsource language text   Things are different outside Britain!Things are different outside Britain!

Speaking dialect (i.e. a particular regional Speaking dialect (i.e. a particular regional variety) does not variety) does not necessarilynecessarily identify an identify an individual as being uneducated and/or of a lower individual as being uneducated and/or of a lower social class (or make them a figure of fun)social class (or make them a figure of fun)

Although authors sometimes want to do Although authors sometimes want to do precisely that (e.g. Examples E, C and G), there precisely that (e.g. Examples E, C and G), there are other interpretations, so think carefully what are other interpretations, so think carefully what the variety is meant to convey in each case, e.g. the variety is meant to convey in each case, e.g. Brecht’s Mother CourageBrecht’s Mother CourageExamples D and F

2.3 Identifying parallel 2.3 Identifying parallel varieties in the target varieties in the target

languagelanguage Careful here! You could end up with

unintended effects when, say, attempting to replace one city variety with another (e.g. Dublin with Berlin) – adaptation may work, but can be risky

Example B: country girl (Brabants), rural speech could work in English and German, but not French (patois associated with old people and often not understood by the general population)

2.3 Identifying parallel 2.3 Identifying parallel varieties in the target varieties in the target

languagelanguage Example A: French generally favours the

standard variety and non-standard language is often written in fiction as standard (See Example A and consider the furore caused by Example D)

2.42.4 Resolving cultural Resolving cultural dissimilarity – lost in dissimilarity – lost in

translation?translation?   So what do you do? Weigh up the the general cultural

significance of the variety used, the author’s specific intention and the perception of your target audience

Adaptation (e.g. Example G) Amplification (e.g. Examples E and F) Live with the fact that some nuances simply

can’t be translated and be content with conveying the crucial information (e.g. about a person’s social status and regional origin)