Characteristics of Theatre Language and Its Translation Challenges

Abstract

Theatre language is a distinctive mode of communication characterized by its performative nature, oral orientation, and integration within a multimodal artistic context. Unlike traditional literary texts, dramatic language functions not only as written material but as a blueprint for live performance, combining dialogue, physical gestures, timing, and spatial dynamics to create a holistic theatrical experience. Translating theatre texts, therefore, presents unique challenges that extend beyond linguistic equivalence to encompass cultural specificity, performative feasibility, and audience reception. This paper investigates the essential characteristics of theatre language and explores the inherent difficulties encountered in its translation across languages and cultures. Employing a qualitative methodology that includes a comprehensive literature review and comparative textual analysis of selected dramatic works—ranging from Shakespearean classics to contemporary European drama—the study identifies key features such as colloquialism, dialectal variation, wordplay, and multimodality that complicate the translation process. The results reveal that theatre translation requires creative strategies to negotiate cultural references, humor, and performative constraints, often demanding adaptive solutions rather than literal translations. The discussion highlights the translator’s role as a cultural mediator and creative collaborator within the theatrical production process. This paper contributes to the growing field of theatre translation studies by emphasizing the interplay between language, culture, and performance, and suggests directions for future research including empirical studies on audience reception and collaborative translation practices.