Challenges in Translating Multilingual Characters in Fiction

Fiction relies on realism, and multilingual characters bring nuances, diversity, and authenticity to a story. But when you are attempting to translate those characters, things become tricky. Do you keep specific words or sayings in their original form? How do you preserve cultural subtleties without sacrificing meaning? And what to do with slangs, dialects, or jokes that fail to translate effectively?

Let's break down some of the biggest challenges of translating multilingual characters and how they impact storytelling.

1. Maintaining Cultural Subtleties

Every language has cultural undertones. A sentence in one language could be plain, but the translation would sound too formal or even lose its oomph.

For example, in Spanish, "Mi casa es su casa" is "My house is your house," literally. However, it is a welcome phrase. A direct translation may sound less inviting. Translators sometimes have to decide between fidelity and meaning comprehension.

The catch: How can you pay respects to the culture of a language without allowing readers to understand?

2. What to translate, what to resist

If one of the characters is multilingual, should every word be translated, or will some words and phrases be allowed to stay in the original tongue?

Take an example of a novel with a French character. Should they ever say "thank you" or "merci"? To keep some words back can add verisimilitude, but too many exclude readers who may not know the language. It's a very fine balance to strike.

3. Handling Slang and Idioms

Slang and idioms are arguably the most challenging aspects of translation. What sounds natural in one language can be nonsensical in another.

Imagine translating a British English expression like "It's raining cats and dogs" into another language. A literal translation would be confusing, so a translator must discover a culturally equivalent expression. The same applies to jokes and informal language—if they are translated too literally, they fall flat.

The challenge: ensuring slang and idioms are understandable while preserving the character's personality.

4. Accents and Dialects in Translation

Writers often use accents or regional accents to make their characters distinctive. But how do you express that in another language?

To give an example, a Southern American accent when you speak in English is quite recognisable. But when translating the book into French or German, how do you create the same ambience? Some translators try to replicate that by using regional dialects of the receiving language, but it does not work always.

5. Code-Switching and Mixed Language Use

The majority of multilingual speakers code-switch, or switch from one language to the other mid-sentence. In fiction, it is more realistic but hard to translate.

For example, a bilingual Spanish-English character could be quoted as, "I'm so exhausted, pero no puedo sleep." Translating every word, though, doesn't sound natural. But if translating is not enough, then some readers get lost.

6. Emotional Impact and Tone

Emotions are expressed differently in various languages. A delicate conversation in Japanese can utilize indirect speech, while an argument in Italian can be more dramatic. If one ignores these differences during translation, characters will get mismatched with their cultural origins.

Final Thoughts

Translating multilingual characters is not simply swapping words; it's about translating culture, personality, and emotion. The goal is to make characters as real as possible while keeping a story that still holds a wider audience.

At Kalakrit, we know the art of storytelling and translation. Whether you require a novel, screenplay, or script to be translated, we make sure every word captures the essence of your characters.

Want to make your multilingual narrative come alive? Contact Kalakrit today!

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