• Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      12
      ·
      4 months ago

      While technically correct, when it comes to translating slang things become more art than science.

      The goal is to evoke the same feeling and imagery.

      Like how I changed “Honestly” to “Literally”. Both are English but over here we don’t use “Honestly” like that so the word “Literally” was a better choice.

      • Uriel238 [all pronouns]@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        10
        ·
        4 months ago

        For us old fogeys, literally still means without metaphor, so someone who literally shit the bed actually soiled their bedsheets leaving a mess for maid service, as opposed to figuratively making a mess in an other situation.

        Honest, honest Iago just looked like a reliable friend who tells the truth and intends no harm. Politicians are honest. My weather station, when properly calibrated, is truthful in that it reports accurate facts.

        • Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          4 months ago

          And honestly honestly can mean figuratively as well

          Words are weird yo

          Definitions shifting and twisting over time is honestly so damn cool though, and common spellings falling out of favor for different ones is also pretty cool

          • brbposting@sh.itjust.works
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            4 months ago

            Context sure is important - like when a late-night host throws in

            and this is true

            before delivering a line that may be so preposterous the entire theater erupts in laughter. Or it might be followed by them reading a nearly unbelievable headline from a reputable source as it’s superimposed on screen.