Trainspotting: Translation of Swearing

by Martin Bowman and Wajdi Mouawad

Martin Bowman and Wajdi Mouawad were commissioned by Pierre Bernard, the artistic director of the Theatre de Quat'Sous in Montreal, to translate Harry Gibson's adaptation for the stage of Irvine Welsh's novel, Trainspotting.

Trainspotting is one of the most significant cultural exports that Britain has produced over the past twenty years. The novel has been translated into numerous languages, the film is an international success, the play has toured the world and the sound track was an immediate success. The British Council feel it is important to examine this success and explore through its translation into joual the impact of the work. This exploration of the translation of Trainspotting is based upon the play which was adapted from Irvine Welsh's novel by Harry Gibson. Please note the pages contain language that may be considered offensive, both the play and novel are available in bookshops.

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