Linguistic choices play a pivotal role in shaping communication and fostering inclusivity. One particularly intriguing aspect of language translation involves the decision between formal and informal registries, which often reflects broader cultural shifts and nuances.
Case Study
In a recent translation project, I encountered a scenario that underscored the evolving nature of these registries within the Spanish language. In the translation project I undertook, which involved a web design course, the decision of whether to use the formal or informal "you" registry in Spanish became a significant consideration.
Despite the client's initial hesitance, which reflected the belief that academic language necessitated formal expression, I did my best to explain why I believed this approach was not optimal. Here are the reasons I presented to them:
While formal and informal registers continue to be firmly taught in schools across the United States, there has been a noticeable easing of these distinctions within the Hispanic world in recent decades. It's worth noting that this phenomenon varies in intensity from one country to another.
"Cool" platforms such as Facebook and Duolingo embrace the informal "you" (as you will discover in the following paragraphs, there may be deeper motivations beyond simply “being trendy”).
The formal "you" is much more heavily gender-marked. For instance, consider the difference between "lo/la vi el otro día, por la calle" (gender-marked) and "te vi el otro día por la calle” (not gender-marked). While "te" is unisex and inclusive of not just male and female but also of any gender identification, "lo" or "la" (as in "lo/la vi el otro día por la calle") is not. As a translator with thousands of projects under my belt, I can assure you that this is not an exception, and the formal "you" often throws the translation "under the bus" of sexist language.
The formal "you" uses the same object pronouns much more frequently as the third person singular. Using the previous example, "lo vi el otro día por la calle" could refer to you, he, or it, whereas "te vi el otro día por la calle" can only refer to "you." This creates a lot of ambiguity, the only way around which is to add the pronoun "a usted," which is not precisely very natural in the Spanish language.The verb conjugation of the formal "you" is also much more frequently identical to the third person singular. For example, "Debe revisar este documento" could be either "he must" or "you (formal) must" while “Debes revisar este documento” may only refer to “you”.
Younger generations do not recognize the formal register as "their" language, and they may be distrustful of people who use it, assuming they are trying to "sell" them something.
The Evolution of Language Registries
Bilingual schools in the United States continue to teach formal and informal registries as distinct and rigid linguistic categories, as has been the tradition. However, in recent decades, there has been a discernible shift within Hispanic culture, challenging the categorical boundaries of these registries.
Navigating Cultural Shifts
While bilingual education systems may continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining these registries, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Adapting to Cultural Realities
Rather than viewing formal and informal registries as rigid constructs, we should advocate for a more nuanced approach that acknowledges the fluidity of language and cultural dynamics.
Embracing Fluidity and Flexibility
By adopting a flexible approach to language translation, we can better reflect the dynamic nature of linguistic expression within diverse cultural contexts. This means recognizing that language is not static but rather evolves in response to social, cultural, and technological influences.
Words matter: The Impact of Inclusive Language Choices
The experience of navigating language registries within the context of Hispanic culture in the United States underscores the importance of embracing cultural fluidity and flexibility in translation. By acknowledging the evolving nature of language usage and cultural norms, translators can create content that is not only linguistically accurate but also culturally relevant and inclusive.
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