Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Should the Book Include Liberian English Dialect without Translation?

The editor is brainstorming three options regarding the use of Liberian English or "dialect" in the book. Here are the options:

  1. Leave the Liberian dialect as I wrote it.
  2. Insert an italicized translation of the dialect in parenthesis after each instance of Liberian dialect.
  3. Put the dialect, with translation, in a glossary.  They would be in the order of how they appear in the book.
Having thought through it. I replied with the following feedback:

Most of the "dialect" is what we call Liberian English, and I really want to leave it that way WITHOUT translation next to it. I think the reader will figure out the meaning within the context, in the same way that you...have been able to figure it out without me. You even got the Bassa right!

If you think a glossary section for dialect is necessary, you may do so, but having the translation within the text seems to take away from the impact of the reading. Above all, leaving the dialect in there without translation is one way for readers to experience a little bit of Liberian speak, which is  part of the reader experiencing Liberia throughout the book. Who knows? A reader may visit Liberia one day, and s/he will have an idea of what to expect by way of Liberian English, and readers who have been to Liberia will connect with the language.


What do you think? Leave the Liberian "dialect" as it is or insert translations throughout the text? And what about including the Liberian "dialect" and translation in the glossary section of the book?

~mogama~

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