Translating Metaphores in the Catcher in the Rye
TRANSLATING COLLOQUIAL IDIOMS/METAPHORS IN THE CATCHER IN THE RYE: A COMPARISON OF METAPHORICAL MEANING RETENTION IN THE SPANISH AND CATALAN TEXTS
MICHAEL O’MARA Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir Michael.Omara@ucv.es
57
In spite of the novel's position among the American Library Association's list of the one hundred most frequently censored books, The Catcher in the Rye (1951), by J.D. Salinger, is widely considered to be one of the most significant literary works of the twentieth century, frequently found in high school literary curricula throughout Europe and North America. The controversy concerns its alleged profanity, vulgar language and treatment of sexual themes, elements that typify Holden's use of the English language, or his idiolect. Idiolect refers to individual speech. It is based on grammar, word selection, phrases, idioms, and includes pronunciation. Of particular note is the author’s use of italics to denote emphasis, or where accents fall when considering rhythm in, and among, certain words. It is possible that this practice was brought almost to perfection in The Catcher in the Rye, in replicating speech patterns in written language. Quite possibly, it has not been matched since. The author’s ability to capture rhythm and colloquial speech is, indeed, quite remarkable. This is especially obvious for readers who are fluent in, or are native speakers of American English. Consider how the author stresses groups of words:
"Wuddaya mean so what?" (p. 41) "You don't do one damn thing the way you're supposed to" (p. 41) "She was blocking up the whole goddam traffic in the aisle" (p. 87) miscelánea: a journal of english and american studies 35 (2007): pp. 57-75 ISSN: 1137-6368
Michael O’Mara
Other times, certain words are stressed:
“What the hellja do that for?” (p. 41) “Well, don't get sore about it...” (p.82) “Which is something that gives me a royal pain in the ass. I mean if somebody yawns right while they’re asking
MICHAEL O’MARA Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir Michael.Omara@ucv.es
57
In spite of the novel's position among the American Library Association's list of the one hundred most frequently censored books, The Catcher in the Rye (1951), by J.D. Salinger, is widely considered to be one of the most significant literary works of the twentieth century, frequently found in high school literary curricula throughout Europe and North America. The controversy concerns its alleged profanity, vulgar language and treatment of sexual themes, elements that typify Holden's use of the English language, or his idiolect. Idiolect refers to individual speech. It is based on grammar, word selection, phrases, idioms, and includes pronunciation. Of particular note is the author’s use of italics to denote emphasis, or where accents fall when considering rhythm in, and among, certain words. It is possible that this practice was brought almost to perfection in The Catcher in the Rye, in replicating speech patterns in written language. Quite possibly, it has not been matched since. The author’s ability to capture rhythm and colloquial speech is, indeed, quite remarkable. This is especially obvious for readers who are fluent in, or are native speakers of American English. Consider how the author stresses groups of words:
"Wuddaya mean so what?" (p. 41) "You don't do one damn thing the way you're supposed to" (p. 41) "She was blocking up the whole goddam traffic in the aisle" (p. 87) miscelánea: a journal of english and american studies 35 (2007): pp. 57-75 ISSN: 1137-6368
Michael O’Mara
Other times, certain words are stressed:
“What the hellja do that for?” (p. 41) “Well, don't get sore about it...” (p.82) “Which is something that gives me a royal pain in the ass. I mean if somebody yawns right while they’re asking