Taboo Language Translation in the Lithuanian Voice-Over of the Movie The 40-Year-Old Virgin
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Abstract
This study examines the translation of taboo words in the Lithuanian voice-over of the American romantic comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin. The objectives are to categorize taboo words, determine their functions, and analyze the translation strategies used in the Lithuanian version, 40-ties ir vis dar skaistus. Employing qualitative and quantitative methods, the study follows Swan’s (2015) classification of taboo words and their functions, and Pavesi and Formentelli’s (2023) translation strategies. Results indicate that the dominant category was sexual activity, with insults and exclamations of annoyance as prominent functions. Most taboo words were mitigated or omitted in translation.
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