Trainspotting
Choose one short chapter of Trainspotting. Consider Welsh 's use of narrative position in that section and discuss language use (dialect, accent, taboo words)
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is a novel based around the drug culture of Edinburgh in the 1980’s. Structured around the lives of five, male heroin addicts, the novel is assembled by a series of short stories that are tied together by characterization. The readers follow the lives of those who have chosen to drop out of polite society, as well as the self-battle to stay away from the addictive drug in hope of a better life. Focusing on the short chapter narrated by main character Renton, ‘It Goes without Saying’, (pg 51-56), it describes how the group of friends named Skag Boys, deal …show more content…
with a tragic issue under the influence of heroin.
The chapter begins with Lesley, (a friend of the Skag Boys), bursting into the room, crying hysterically as she discovers her baby, Dawn, has passed away. Initially it seems to be caused by cot death, though it could also be from neglect. As the chapter develops, it becomes clear that Sick Boy is the father of Dawn as he notably becomes very emotional and distressed than the others until he then later claims to kick his use of heroin for good.
The narrative position in ‘It Goes without Saying’ is wholly composed by main character Renton’s point of view. The first person structure works well within the chapter as it gives the paragraph a much closer and personal understanding of the situation the friends are dealing with, effectively making it more emotionally moving for the readers. The readers are able to feel sympathetic towards characters such as Sick Boy and Lesley, and at the same time fully grasp Renton’s emotions and attitude towards the misfortune.
Straight away, the readers are able recognize that Renton feels uncomfortable and uncertain of how to deal with the situation through the use of short, sharp and simple sentence structure and frantic tone:
Lesley comes intae the room screaming. It’s horrible. Ah wanted her tae stoap. Now. Ah couldnae handle this. Nane ay us `could. No now.(51)
The repetitive simple sentences- ‘Now’ and ‘No Now’, demonstrates Renton’s desperation of the situation to end which also reflects the emotions of the rest of the boys, as the only friend that takes immediate caution is Sick Boy. The apprehensive atmosphere is also a demonstration of the Skag Boy’s incapability of dealing with the situation due to their lack of concentration and ability to understand what is going on around them. This is then clearly stabilized by Renton mentioning to the rest of the boys that he will be cooking up another shot, exhibiting that even in the most tragic of situations and above anything else, their next hit will always be the most important thing in their lives.
Renton’s lack of attentiveness is noticeable several times throughout the chapter as he repeatedly goes off topic and ponders around the thought of receiving his next hit. He eventually feels some sort of emotion towards the situation, yet is incapable of expressing his feelings or show comfort towards Lesley and his friends:
Ah feel thit ah love them aw. Matty, Spud, Sick Boy and Lesley. Ah want to tell thum. Ah Try, but it comes oot as: -Ah’m cookin. (55)
At this point the readers feel compassionate towards Renton as it seems upsetting that even at a most tragic moment, their addiction to heroin seems to overtake and control their lives, stopping them from acting and thinking appropriately.
The representation of accent and dialect in Trainspotting has a huge overall effect on the novel, both positively and negatively. The non-standard English and overly Scottish approach of the book provides immediate presence and realism. This seems to be the core intention of the language used, as it provides a more believable and earthly existence for the readers. Although the dialect in the novel provides a more effectual approach towards the story, it is also initially very difficult to read.
Firsthand, the accent is a setback to comfortably get to grips with, decreasing the chances of creating a vital connection between the reader and the book. This subconsciously can be off-putting for the reader and take the narrative plot away from the story. As the novel progresses, the flow naturally comes together, eventually becoming easier to comprehend and most importantly, enjoy. Aside from the invisible narrator, all characters in Trainspotting speak in non-standard dialect except for when necessary; the characters switch to standardized English dialect.
The dialect is constructed through both standard Scottish spelling and Irvine Welsh’s own non standard pronunciation, as few words are spelled according to standard-dialect norms. This is demonstrated through Renton’s speech in, ‘It Goes Without Saying’. Throughout the chapter we see the personal pronoun ‘I’, spelt as ‘Ah’ by Welsh although the standard implied pronunciation is spelt as ‘ae’. More examples include the verb ‘was’, spelt as ‘wis’ with the implied pronunciation of ‘wez’.
Welsh’s spelling and own non standard pronunciation may be easier for the ‘ordinary’ readers to enhance than others, again creating positive and negative issues when transcribing dialect in literature. An accurate transcription taken for the Scots dictionary will be very challenging for the reader who is unaware of the interpretation of the specific dialect- yet if the right balance is made between transcribing it sparingly but sufficiently, it will successfully create a realistic feel to the novel, which is another core feature of the dialect used.
Concentrating on the dialect in ‘It Goes Without Saying’, Renton is speaking in his usual, non-standard speech. This works well in this particular chapter as it embraces Renton’s thoughts to a more personal level and his attitude towards the others during the sad news:
Sick Boy 's noncommittal. This is weird. Normally the bastard 's barking orders at every cunt in sight, whither they take any notice or no.(54)
Renton notices that his friend Sick Boy is reacting differently to what he is used to, instantly letting the reader know that Sick Boy is Dawn’s father. Through Renton’s language and speech, the reader is able to gather more information about the character’s personalities and Renton’s attitude towards the circumstances.
As the chapter comes to an end, Renton begins to cook himself up a shot as a getaway of dealing with the situation as he is clearly unable find the words to comfort his friends. Renton’s attitude throughout the chapter is a clear and precise attribute of Thatcherism in England during the novel’s time era. Margaret Thatcher’s government Policies were based around the concentration of making England a wealthier country, which involved the individual focusing and looking after his own well-being before anybody else as Thatcher believed that society was nonexistent. An attribution of this attitude is heavily imprinted in Renton’s manner during the tragic scenario
The fuckers will huv tae wait.
Lesley comes first, eftir me. That goes without saying.(56)
Lesley asks Renton to cook her up a hit but he refuses to give her what she wants without sorting himself out first, stating the action ‘goes without saying.’ This demonstrates Renton’s self-centered and selfish attributes that was around in the late 1980’s. The self-interested behavior also reveals the harsh truth that no matter what, sorting themselves out first with the ‘junk’, will always be the most important thing in their lives.
Frustration and sadness then overcomes the Skag Boys as they all see baby Dawn dead in her cot and find it difficult to come to terms with. Taboo language is used to show their emotions and release their anger towards the upsetting situation: -Ah’m fuckin right ootay here, man, Ah cannae fuckin handle this. -Fuck it Matty! Nae cunt’s leavin here the now. Sick Boy …show more content…
shouts.(53)
The taboo words capture the boy’s emotions well as they are able to express and release their anger by using this specific language, common in every young male’s dialect. The readers are then able to feel sympathetic and understanding towards their feelings during the situation, intentionally and successfully giving the reader a more in-depth understanding of the stressful situation.
Overall, ‘It Goes Without Saying’ deals with sensitive, interpersonal dynamics that wouldn’t be as effective and emotionally moving without the Scottish accent, strong use of language and un-standard English dialect.
Although at first difficult to understand, the chapter captures an embraces all the emotions of the characters, positively making it more engaging and enjoyable to read. It is an unbiased and clear reflection of drug culture of Edinburgh in the 1980s with a precise implication of how society, class, politics and most importantly drugs affected the lives of people in that time era.
Bibliography
Childs, Peter and Storry, Mike. (2002). British Cultural Identities. Routledge.
Morace, Robert A. (2001). Irvine Welsh 's Trainspotting : a reader 's guide. Continuum. [Online] Available from: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=q5VKzzUUbBIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Welsh%27s+Trainspotting+:+a+reader%27s+guide&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XbCOT868GsvE8QPDh_ikCw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Welsh 's%20Trainspotting%20%3A%20a%20reader 's%20guide&f=false
TRAINSPOTTING [DVD] / written by Irvine Welsh, screenplay by John Hodge, directed by Danny Boyle. Universal Studios, (2003).
Warrack, Alexander. 1911. The Scots Dialect Dictionary. Dorset: New Orchard Editions Ltd, 1988
Welsh, Irvine. 1996. Trainspotting. 2nd ed. Great Britain:
Minerva
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is a novel based around the drug culture of Edinburgh in the 1980’s. Structured around the lives of five, male heroin addicts, the novel is assembled by a series of short stories that are tied together by characterization. The readers follow the lives of those who have chosen to drop out of polite society, as well as the self-battle to stay away from the addictive drug in hope of a better life. Focusing on the short chapter narrated by main character Renton, ‘It Goes without Saying’, (pg 51-56), it describes how the group of friends named Skag Boys, deal …show more content…
with a tragic issue under the influence of heroin.
The chapter begins with Lesley, (a friend of the Skag Boys), bursting into the room, crying hysterically as she discovers her baby, Dawn, has passed away. Initially it seems to be caused by cot death, though it could also be from neglect. As the chapter develops, it becomes clear that Sick Boy is the father of Dawn as he notably becomes very emotional and distressed than the others until he then later claims to kick his use of heroin for good.
The narrative position in ‘It Goes without Saying’ is wholly composed by main character Renton’s point of view. The first person structure works well within the chapter as it gives the paragraph a much closer and personal understanding of the situation the friends are dealing with, effectively making it more emotionally moving for the readers. The readers are able to feel sympathetic towards characters such as Sick Boy and Lesley, and at the same time fully grasp Renton’s emotions and attitude towards the misfortune.
Straight away, the readers are able recognize that Renton feels uncomfortable and uncertain of how to deal with the situation through the use of short, sharp and simple sentence structure and frantic tone:
Lesley comes intae the room screaming. It’s horrible. Ah wanted her tae stoap. Now. Ah couldnae handle this. Nane ay us `could. No now.(51)
The repetitive simple sentences- ‘Now’ and ‘No Now’, demonstrates Renton’s desperation of the situation to end which also reflects the emotions of the rest of the boys, as the only friend that takes immediate caution is Sick Boy. The apprehensive atmosphere is also a demonstration of the Skag Boy’s incapability of dealing with the situation due to their lack of concentration and ability to understand what is going on around them. This is then clearly stabilized by Renton mentioning to the rest of the boys that he will be cooking up another shot, exhibiting that even in the most tragic of situations and above anything else, their next hit will always be the most important thing in their lives.
Renton’s lack of attentiveness is noticeable several times throughout the chapter as he repeatedly goes off topic and ponders around the thought of receiving his next hit. He eventually feels some sort of emotion towards the situation, yet is incapable of expressing his feelings or show comfort towards Lesley and his friends:
Ah feel thit ah love them aw. Matty, Spud, Sick Boy and Lesley. Ah want to tell thum. Ah Try, but it comes oot as: -Ah’m cookin. (55)
At this point the readers feel compassionate towards Renton as it seems upsetting that even at a most tragic moment, their addiction to heroin seems to overtake and control their lives, stopping them from acting and thinking appropriately.
The representation of accent and dialect in Trainspotting has a huge overall effect on the novel, both positively and negatively. The non-standard English and overly Scottish approach of the book provides immediate presence and realism. This seems to be the core intention of the language used, as it provides a more believable and earthly existence for the readers. Although the dialect in the novel provides a more effectual approach towards the story, it is also initially very difficult to read.
Firsthand, the accent is a setback to comfortably get to grips with, decreasing the chances of creating a vital connection between the reader and the book. This subconsciously can be off-putting for the reader and take the narrative plot away from the story. As the novel progresses, the flow naturally comes together, eventually becoming easier to comprehend and most importantly, enjoy. Aside from the invisible narrator, all characters in Trainspotting speak in non-standard dialect except for when necessary; the characters switch to standardized English dialect.
The dialect is constructed through both standard Scottish spelling and Irvine Welsh’s own non standard pronunciation, as few words are spelled according to standard-dialect norms. This is demonstrated through Renton’s speech in, ‘It Goes Without Saying’. Throughout the chapter we see the personal pronoun ‘I’, spelt as ‘Ah’ by Welsh although the standard implied pronunciation is spelt as ‘ae’. More examples include the verb ‘was’, spelt as ‘wis’ with the implied pronunciation of ‘wez’.
Welsh’s spelling and own non standard pronunciation may be easier for the ‘ordinary’ readers to enhance than others, again creating positive and negative issues when transcribing dialect in literature. An accurate transcription taken for the Scots dictionary will be very challenging for the reader who is unaware of the interpretation of the specific dialect- yet if the right balance is made between transcribing it sparingly but sufficiently, it will successfully create a realistic feel to the novel, which is another core feature of the dialect used.
Concentrating on the dialect in ‘It Goes Without Saying’, Renton is speaking in his usual, non-standard speech. This works well in this particular chapter as it embraces Renton’s thoughts to a more personal level and his attitude towards the others during the sad news:
Sick Boy 's noncommittal. This is weird. Normally the bastard 's barking orders at every cunt in sight, whither they take any notice or no.(54)
Renton notices that his friend Sick Boy is reacting differently to what he is used to, instantly letting the reader know that Sick Boy is Dawn’s father. Through Renton’s language and speech, the reader is able to gather more information about the character’s personalities and Renton’s attitude towards the circumstances.
As the chapter comes to an end, Renton begins to cook himself up a shot as a getaway of dealing with the situation as he is clearly unable find the words to comfort his friends. Renton’s attitude throughout the chapter is a clear and precise attribute of Thatcherism in England during the novel’s time era. Margaret Thatcher’s government Policies were based around the concentration of making England a wealthier country, which involved the individual focusing and looking after his own well-being before anybody else as Thatcher believed that society was nonexistent. An attribution of this attitude is heavily imprinted in Renton’s manner during the tragic scenario
The fuckers will huv tae wait.
Lesley comes first, eftir me. That goes without saying.(56)
Lesley asks Renton to cook her up a hit but he refuses to give her what she wants without sorting himself out first, stating the action ‘goes without saying.’ This demonstrates Renton’s self-centered and selfish attributes that was around in the late 1980’s. The self-interested behavior also reveals the harsh truth that no matter what, sorting themselves out first with the ‘junk’, will always be the most important thing in their lives.
Frustration and sadness then overcomes the Skag Boys as they all see baby Dawn dead in her cot and find it difficult to come to terms with. Taboo language is used to show their emotions and release their anger towards the upsetting situation: -Ah’m fuckin right ootay here, man, Ah cannae fuckin handle this. -Fuck it Matty! Nae cunt’s leavin here the now. Sick Boy …show more content…
shouts.(53)
The taboo words capture the boy’s emotions well as they are able to express and release their anger by using this specific language, common in every young male’s dialect. The readers are then able to feel sympathetic and understanding towards their feelings during the situation, intentionally and successfully giving the reader a more in-depth understanding of the stressful situation.
Overall, ‘It Goes Without Saying’ deals with sensitive, interpersonal dynamics that wouldn’t be as effective and emotionally moving without the Scottish accent, strong use of language and un-standard English dialect.
Although at first difficult to understand, the chapter captures an embraces all the emotions of the characters, positively making it more engaging and enjoyable to read. It is an unbiased and clear reflection of drug culture of Edinburgh in the 1980s with a precise implication of how society, class, politics and most importantly drugs affected the lives of people in that time era.
Bibliography
Childs, Peter and Storry, Mike. (2002). British Cultural Identities. Routledge.
Morace, Robert A. (2001). Irvine Welsh 's Trainspotting : a reader 's guide. Continuum. [Online] Available from: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=q5VKzzUUbBIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Welsh%27s+Trainspotting+:+a+reader%27s+guide&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XbCOT868GsvE8QPDh_ikCw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Welsh 's%20Trainspotting%20%3A%20a%20reader 's%20guide&f=false
TRAINSPOTTING [DVD] / written by Irvine Welsh, screenplay by John Hodge, directed by Danny Boyle. Universal Studios, (2003).
Warrack, Alexander. 1911. The Scots Dialect Dictionary. Dorset: New Orchard Editions Ltd, 1988
Welsh, Irvine. 1996. Trainspotting. 2nd ed. Great Britain:
Minerva