cell leader

Taña Dalglish Jun 24, 2016:

@ Olga This is what I have resorted to, going to books and movies re prisons and crimes.
https://www.wheretowatch.com/movies/28323
"The Big House" 1930 Crime Drama (refers to the "cell-block leader").
http://buycdnow.ca/movies/birdman-of-alcatraz--v5725
Birdman of Alcatraz (movie). Here, there is a reference, albeit obscure, to "The Fixer". I don't know if you can use "The Fixer" for any of the terms you have described ("cell leader", "gang leader"), or whether you can even classify "The Fixer" as slang, but unfortunately, I am bereft of any further ideas, apart from those already suggested throughout the various postings here. Good luck on this and regards.

Olga Prisekina-Olrichs (asker) Jun 24, 2016:

I don't need to know any translation, I need help to find a slang equivalent to the phrases I presented. I've searched prison slang glossaries, which didn't yield much results. Thanks for trying to help, but this is English-English question. If you could think of sometime, would be great. Thanks.

Taña Dalglish Jun 24, 2016:

@ Olga You said you were translating? Into what language? Your question has been posed English to English, so are you approaching the translation first and foremost by trying to find English synonyms, rather than posting, for example English to Dutch, assuming you are translating into Dutch? Nevertheless, Olga, I think we all need more context other than a word or two here and there (e.g. "cell leader", "gang leader"), or your paraphrasing for our benefit. I think persons who are willing to help would rather see actual paragraphs or sentences so that they can then interpret the context for themselves. Regards.

Olga Prisekina-Olrichs (asker) Jun 24, 2016:

in this case there are at least 4 people in the cell, any suggestions will be great. I need to have something "slang" to use instead of a "cell leader" and "gang leader", not to use too many repetitions.

Olga Prisekina-Olrichs (asker) Jun 24, 2016:

I am translating a novel, some scenes take place in prison, so I need to find a slang word for a "cell leader" and "gang leader" (in prison), which is used interchangeably in reference to the same person/same concept. I found one: shot caller. But I need more.

B D Finch Jun 24, 2016:

Context? Philgoddard's point that a cell only contains one or two prisoners is definitely not true for certain places and periods. This is further complicated by the fact that "cell" might not refer to the physical prison cell, but to a political cell that might be spread over several prison cells.

We are getting more and more questions where the Asker totally fails to understand the importance of context, which is a basic thing for a professional translator to take into account.

Taña Dalglish Jun 24, 2016:

The question is English to English translations
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / prison slang
The asker may not speak French!

Didier Fourcot Jun 24, 2016:

in French "caïd" if this may help finding an English translation:
http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2016/02/20/fin-de-parc...

Taña Dalglish Jun 24, 2016:

More... http://prison-slang.com/n-p/
pod – noun: gallery, deck
http://prison-slang.com/c-d/
cell block – noun: area in a cell house where the cells are located. This term is more formal and less commonly used. See also deck, gallery, pod, block, wings. I therefore assume you can have a "cell block leader" (and in some prisons, a "pod leader").

Taña Dalglish Jun 24, 2016:

@ Olga I agree with Phil regarding "cell". However, given that it is poetry, perhaps poetic licence has been used here. As far as I know, one term that comes to mind is a "pod" described here: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070924145902A...

MarinaM Jun 24, 2016:

Target audience? In Argentina, "cabecilla".

philgoddard Jun 24, 2016:

Hi Olga What does it mean, and what's the context?
I don't see how "cell" can refer to a room, since a cell contains only one or two people. Do you mean cell as in a branch of an organisation?