Subtitling films in another language becomes especially complex when the original language
deviates from its standard form. Films that feature non-standard pronunciation dialects or
other varieties of language especially when juxtaposed with more standard uses are said to
display «linguistic variation». As language use is central to characters' identities and to a
film's plot it is essential to retain the source language (SL) specificity as fully as
possible in the target language (TL) subtitles so the target audience can experience the film
as authentically as possible. Given its considerable difficulty subtitling in this manner is
often advised against avoided or when attempted subjected to considerable criticism. This
book focuses on a collection of British and French films selected for the range of approaches
that they adopt in portraying linguistic variation. Each chapter explores the challenges posed
by the subtitling of such linguistic difference in the given films and the corresponding
solutions offered by their subtitlers. Drawing on these findings and referring to contemporary
thinking in the field of translation studies this book argues that with insight and skill
linguistic variation can be preserved in film subtitles.
