Exploring the Translation of Colloquial Expressions: A Sociolinguistic Perspective

Abstract

This study investigates the translation of colloquial expressions through a sociolinguistic lens, emphasizing the interplay between linguistic equivalence, cultural mediation, and social identity. Colloquial language—including slang, idioms, and informal speech—reflects speakers’ cultural values, group membership, and evolving communication norms. Translating such expressions presents challenges due to their cultural embeddedness, contextual variability, and rapid evolution across digital platforms. Using examples from English and Azerbaijani, the paper analyzes how translators navigate these challenges through adaptive strategies such as borrowing, paraphrasing, domestication, and contextual adaptation. It argues that translators function as cultural mediators, preserving not only semantic meaning but also social and pragmatic nuances that define colloquial discourse. The study highlights the increasing influence of social media on the emergence and diffusion of slang, underscoring the need for translators to maintain cultural awareness and linguistic flexibility in the digital age.