Translation of Stylistically-Marked Vocabulary in Gangster Films (the Case of "Sopranos" TV Series and "The Irishman" Film)

This paper delves into the realm of audiovisual translation (AVT) and focuses primarily on the stylistically-marked vocabulary employed in the mafia film genre. It acknowledges the evolution of “equivalence” within the study of AVT theory and underscores the significance of creative translation techniques that ensure the films stylisation is kept the same, thus establishing the appropriate social context and nuances. While prior research have thoroughly explored the speech patterns and terminology of certain social groups, there has not been any research on the linguistic peculiarities of gangsters in film. The tone and themes of mafia genre is heavily explored through the characters’ speech, which does not have a clear translation strategy for rendering in the Russian language. This research seeks to bridge this gap by employing descriptive statistical analysis to examine the stylistically-marked vocabulary used in gangster films. By assessing the equivalent translation units selected by the translator for their rendition of the source text, the paper seeks to find elaborate ways of approaching stylistically-marked vocabulary in film and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of translation of said units in AVT. Thereby, hoping to elevate the viewing experience for the Russian-speaking culture. Key words: stylistically-marked vocabulary, audiovisual translation (AVT), gangster films.