TRANSLATION OF DIALECT IN COMICS

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF ZEROCALCARE’S WORK)

Abstract

This research examines the use of the Roman dialect in Ogni maledetto lunedì su due by Michele Rech, known under the pseudonym Zerocalcare, and addresses the main challenges of translating it into Ukrainian. The analysis of forty pages of the comic identified twelve instances of Roman dialect elements that serve to characterize the protagonists and reflect humor, emotion, and social background. Particular attention is paid to phonetic reductions, lexical variations, vulgarisms, and interjections, which add liveliness and authenticity to the dialogue. The study also outlines key translation strategies, including neutralization, localization, and compensation. Overall, the research emphasizes the role of dialect as a stylistic, sociolinguistic, and communicative tool in contemporary comic art.