In spoken languages just as in sign languages one can find words or phrases with metaphorical meaning. A word or a phrase can get metaphorical meaning if a speaker uses it instead of some other word or phrase based on the similarity of their referents. Within a given context, words or phrases do not refer to the most obvious, general or common referent, but to a referent which is similar to that referent in one or more properties. In our thesis we will focus on the transfer of idioms from Slovene language to the Slovene sign language.
In Slovenia, there is a community of deaf people, hard of hearing people and people with cochlear implant. Their natural language of communication is a sign language. In Slovenia it is called the Slovene sign language. The right to use sign language is guaranteed by the Act Regulating the Use of Slovene Sign Language from 2002. Since Slovene language and Slovene sign languages differ in structure and modality, the interpreters of sign language take care to overcome communication barriers. Interpreters usually interpret to or from sign language simultaneously, which is considered to be one of the most challenging cognitive processes.
When interpreting, interpreters must pay attention to the linguistic specifics of each language, as well as to the cultural specifics of each linguistic community, which may be reflected in the vocabulary of their language. Language-specific linguistic features which are rarely inter-linguistically similar are also idioms. Idioms are, as a reflection of a particular cultural identity, more difficult to transfer from the source language to the target language. Interpreters can use several strategies that can help them interpret the idioms. Nevertheless, in many cases the metaphorical meaning is lost in translation.
This research of the transfer of idioms from Slovene language into the Slovene sign language will contribute to raising awareness of the issue among general users of the Slovene sign language and among interpreters of Slovene sign language. At the same time, it will also provide some insight into strategies for interpreting Slovene language phrases in to the Slovene sign language.
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