Subtitling Alexian Nadsat into Arabic: The Language of Ultra-Violence and Brainwashing in A Clockwork Orange

Abstract

Fictional languages have become increasingly popular in films recently. And although quite amusing to the audience, they can pose an extremely challenging task for translators. This paper discusses Nadsat, the fictional language of the film A Clockwork Orange: What it is, the functions it serves, the challenges it poses, and how to overcome and subtitle it into Arabic to fulfil those functions. My argument is that the exoticizing element should be retained in the subtitling product, but according to specific conditions that ensure consistency and consider the layout of the audiovisual material. The functions for which Nadsat was created should not be dismissed because they are essential to the narrative. And by establishing a detailed strategic plan to translate it, the language can be maintained while not compromising, and even enhancing, the overall understanding of the film’s dialogue. I also wish to start a discussion about the importance of constructed languages and the role they play in fictional contexts, as well as their transability into Arabic by having this translation as evidence.