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Article published In: Babel
Vol. 64:3 (2018) ► pp.348–369

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Language style in the negotiation of class identity in translated contemporary Spanish fiction

Vázquez Montalbán’s Los mares del sur in English and Croatian

 | Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)
 | University of Zadar
Published online: 2 October 2018
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https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00042.esp
Abstract
In the early novels of the Carvalho detective series by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, set in the years of Spain’s transition to democracy, the negotiation of identities and political stance are paramount characterization resources. Given the role of speech in the construction of identity, translations may vary in the readings they afford beyond the detective aspects. We apply the sociolinguistic concepts of identity work and language style (albeit mediated by fictive orality), and the discourse analysis tools of Appraisal Theory, to analyse two working-class characters in Los mares del sur (Vázquez Montalbán, Manuel. 1979. Los mares del sur. Barcelona: Planeta.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) and in its English (. 1986 (2012). Southern Seas. Transl. by Patrick Camiller. Brooklyn NY: Melville House Publishing. First ed., 1999 [1986, Pluto Press].Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) and Croatian (. 2007. Južna mora. Transl. by Draženka Milovanović. Zagreb: VBZ.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) translations.
In Spanish the language style of both characters reflects class allegiance, involvement and tenacity, intense feelings, a direct interpersonal approach and a rejection of altercasting. Their vocabulary and quotations from external sources index their ideology. The English translation is the least aware of identity work through language style and interaction. The characters’ standardized speech shows less involvement, tenacity and intensity. The Croatian translation follows the source text literally; involvement is maintained within a fictive colloquial spoken variety. Both translations maintain directness and a contractive dialogic style, and both make references to class and ideology more explicit.
Résumé
Dans les premiers romans de la série policière avec l’inspecteur Carvalho, de Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, qui se déroulent pendant les années où l’Espagne était en pleine transition démocratique, la négociation des identités et l’orientation politique constituent des ressources essentielles à la description des personnages. Étant donné le rôle du discours dans la construction identitaire, les traductions peuvent offrir différentes lectures, qui vont au-delà des aspects propres au roman policier. Nous appliquons les concepts sociolinguistiques du travail identitaire et du style linguistique (bien que tempérés par une oralité fictive) ainsi que les outils d’analyse du discours de la théorie de l’évaluation, pour analyser deux personnages de la classe ouvrière, dans Los mares del sur (Vázquez Montalbán, Manuel. 1979. Los mares del sur. Barcelona: Planeta.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) et ses traductions en anglais (. 1986 (2012). Southern Seas. Transl. by Patrick Camiller. Brooklyn NY: Melville House Publishing. First ed., 1999 [1986, Pluto Press].Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) et en croate (. 2007. Južna mora. Transl. by Draženka Milovanović. Zagreb: VBZ.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar).
En espagnol, le style linguistique utilisé par les deux personnages reflète leur appartenance à une classe sociale, leur engagement et leur ténacité, l’intensité de leurs sentiments, une approche interpersonnelle directe et le rejet de l’altercasting. Leur vocabulaire et les citations tirées de sources externes témoignent de leur idéologie. La traduction anglaise est la moins sensible au travail identitaire au travers du style linguistique et de l’interaction. Le discours standardisé des personnages montre moins d’engagement, de ténacité et d’intensité. La traduction croate suit littéralement le texte source ; l’engagement est maintenu au sein d’une variante fictive, parlée et familière. Les deux traductions conservent un caractère direct et un style de dialogue « contractif », et toutes deux rendent plus explicites les références à la classe et à l’idéologie.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Character analysis of two working class characters
    • 2.1The language style of Evaristo Cifuentes
      • 2.1.1General remarks
      • 2.1.2Evaristo’s evaluation of Ana Briongos
    • 2.2The language style of Ana Briongos
  • 3.Discussion and conclusions
  • Acknowledgement
  • Notes
  • References
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