Language is the colour palette of communication, with individual hues represented by elements such as dialects, slang, and idioms.
These linguistic features, each rich in cultural essence, lend a distinct character to every conversation, which is essential for compelling communications that enable the intended audience to understand the meaning of the message perfectly. However, capturing these subtleties in translation requires more than a basic grasp of a language.
It’s here that our expertise as a professional translation agency comes into play, as we skillfully navigate the intricate art of translating dialects, slang, and idioms.
Dialects: The Local Colour in a Language
A dialect is more than just a variant of a language. It embodies the culture, history, and shared experiences of a region, adding local colour to the language through unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Let’s take the example of translating from Standard German to Bavarian, a southern German dialect. The sentence “Wie geht es dir?” (How are you?) in Standard German would translate to “Wie geht’s da?” in Bavarian. If you’re a marketing professional trying to reach a Bavarian audience, using the local dialect would certainly create a stronger connection.
Take, for example, translating from Standard English to the Liverpudlian dialect (Scouse) in the UK. The phrase “How are you?” in Standard English transforms into “Y’aright, lad?” in Scouse. As marketers aiming to strike a chord with a Liverpool-based audience, the use of local dialect creates a more profound connection.
Understanding this, Bubbles’ team of translators are proficient in various dialects. We delve deep into the sociocultural nuances of each region to ensure the translations are not just linguistically correct, but also culturally relevant.
Slang: The Informal Twist in Language
Slang is the informal seasoning in language that makes conversation zestier. However, translating slang can be challenging because it’s always changing and is often unique to certain groups or demographics.
For instance, if a tech company aims to market a new product to youth in Australia, using slang like “bloke” (man) or “barbie” (barbecue) in their promotional material will make it more relatable and appealing to the young demographic.
Let’s consider a tech firm keen to market a new product to the youth in the UK. Utilising slang like “it’s bangin'” (it’s excellent) or “mate” (friend) in promotional content would resonate more effectively with a young British audience.
Using terms like “guay” (cool) or “móvil” (mobile phone) in Spanish promotional material would resonate with a young audience better than formal language.
Bubbles’ translators keep abreast of evolving slang across cultures and ensure their translations align with the target audience’s vernacular, making the content more engaging.
Idioms: Creating Vivid Imagery with Words
Idioms are phrases where the overall meaning is different from the literal interpretation of the individual words. Translating idioms requires finding a similar idiom in the target language or explicating the meaning of the original idiom more directly.
If an English document uses the phrase “kick the bucket”, a literal translation into Italian wouldn’t make sense. Instead, our translators would use the Italian idiom “stirare le zampe”, which conveys the same metaphorical meaning.
If a casual user instruction manual in English uses the idiom “a piece of cake”, a literal translation into Italian would not convey the intended meaning. Instead, we’d employ the Italian idiom “È un gioco da ragazzi”, which shares a similar sentiment.
In the world of marketing, idioms can add a unique local flavour to documents and campaigns, making them more memorable and impactful. Bubbles excels in transferring these linguistic gems from one language to another without losing their original charm or implied meaning.
Let Us Navigate through the Nuances of Language Styles For You!
At Bubbles, we’re well-versed in the intricate task of translating the nuances of language styles, ranging from dialects and slang to idioms. We understand the crucial role each word plays in delivering the intended message, especially in technical documents and marketing materials.
Our translators are native speakers and are immersed in local cultures when translating dialects, we stay updated with the ever-evolving world of slang, and find the closest matching expressions when dealing with idioms. Our stringent quality checks further ensure the delivery of accurate, culturally apt translations.
So, whether you’re a tech firm aiming to communicate with a global audience, or a marketer striving to create locally resonant campaigns, Bubbles can help you master the art of language style in translation.
