The Illusion of Symmetry: Subtitling African America into French

This chapter explores the intricacies of translating African American English (AAE) into French subtitles, particularly focusing on recent representations of AAE speakers in visual fiction (post-2013). Whilst linguistic variation is inherent to characterization in films, it is often neutralized or standardized in subtitles, and subtitlers face great challenges in conveying social, geographical, and ethnic differences. Through the analysis of nonstandard linguistic features in French subtitles, this chapter discusses the tension between the constraints of the medium and maintaining subtitle invisibility on the one hand, and using adventurous linguistic strategies on the other. The convergence of subtitlers in using verlan suggests a level of trust in the audience’s ability to successfully handle complex networks of representations. Such strategies also highlight challenges to conventional norms and encourages reflection on alternative subtitle presentation models, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the richness and significance of AAE through subtitling practices.