How non English Native Speaker Translate Slang Texting into Regular English
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
The subject of this study is slang and how the use of slang can be transferred from a source text in one language to a target text in another language. I have chosen this subject because slang is something in a conversation or similar communicative situation that most people easily recognize as soon as it is uttered, but explaining and defining what slang is and how it functions is an entirely different matter. Consequently, it is interesting to research the use of slang in order to determine if there are any difficulties in transferring slang from one language to another.
Slang seems to have suffered social stigma among linguists and lexicographers because it has frequently been associated with overtly impertinent behavior (Adams 2009: 32). However, as it turns out, little research has been conducted into the actual use of slang. In fact, finding sources to explain the function of slang is very difficult. Researching terminology that is attributed to being slang, showed me that slang is more than just words to show impertinent behavior and that there are many social aspects embedded in slang, which in this thesis will be referred to as the use of slang. This study seeks to find out what slang is, how it is used, who uses it and why it is used. The embedded social effect and function of using slang will be researched and discussed in order to show why slang deviates from standard language and why it is used.
I have chosen to look at how slang works within a given culture (the USA) because in Denmark, due to an excessive exposure to American television, films and music, we are heavily subjected to American- English language media which may give us a greater consciousness of the English language. From a translation studies’ point of view, slang is interesting because of its connotations in its source culture.
Slang seems to be connected to the culture in which it is created, so how are slang words and expressions transferred into
The subject of this study is slang and how the use of slang can be transferred from a source text in one language to a target text in another language. I have chosen this subject because slang is something in a conversation or similar communicative situation that most people easily recognize as soon as it is uttered, but explaining and defining what slang is and how it functions is an entirely different matter. Consequently, it is interesting to research the use of slang in order to determine if there are any difficulties in transferring slang from one language to another.
Slang seems to have suffered social stigma among linguists and lexicographers because it has frequently been associated with overtly impertinent behavior (Adams 2009: 32). However, as it turns out, little research has been conducted into the actual use of slang. In fact, finding sources to explain the function of slang is very difficult. Researching terminology that is attributed to being slang, showed me that slang is more than just words to show impertinent behavior and that there are many social aspects embedded in slang, which in this thesis will be referred to as the use of slang. This study seeks to find out what slang is, how it is used, who uses it and why it is used. The embedded social effect and function of using slang will be researched and discussed in order to show why slang deviates from standard language and why it is used.
I have chosen to look at how slang works within a given culture (the USA) because in Denmark, due to an excessive exposure to American television, films and music, we are heavily subjected to American- English language media which may give us a greater consciousness of the English language. From a translation studies’ point of view, slang is interesting because of its connotations in its source culture.
Slang seems to be connected to the culture in which it is created, so how are slang words and expressions transferred into
References: Adams, Michael (2009). Slang – The People’s Poetry. Indianapolis, Indiana: Oxford Press. Eble, Connie (1996). Slang and Sociability – In-group Language among College Students. Chapel Hill and London: The University of North Carolina Press. Hamaida, Lene (2007). Subtitling Slang and Language. MuTra 2007 – LSP Translation Scenarios: Conference Proceedings. www.linguistblog.com. Retrived 30 November 2012 www.leydesdorff.net. Retrived 30 November 2012 www.wikipedia.com. Retrived 2 November 2012