This article sheds light on subtitling as one of the most important forms of translation which has a huge impact on modern communication worldwide. If written text-translation has ruled over intercultural communication over the previous centuries, subtitling drives most of the modern contemporary audiovisual productions proliferating in this globalized world, where international dialogue and interlingual communication have become so complex and so vitally important. In this perspective, the technological and artistic innovations advanced in the twentieth century such as the film industry and television broadcasting made imperative the emergence of new forms of translation such as subtitling, dubbing and drama translation.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Preliminaries
3. Subtitling: a unique form of translation
4. Some peculiarities of Subtitling
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to explore the theoretical aspects of subtitling as a significant and distinct form of translation in the era of globalized audiovisual communication. It examines the unique characteristics of subtitling, its divergence from traditional text translation, and the functional role it plays in modern society, ranging from information dissemination to language education.
- Theoretical evolution of translation studies towards audiovisual media.
- Defining subtitling as a unique and necessary form of translation.
- Linguistic and technical constraints inherent in the subtitling process.
- The transition from spoken dialogue to written captions.
- Sociocultural and educational impacts of subtitling in a globalized world.
Excerpt from the Book
Some peculiarities of Subtitling
To illustrate the major differences between text translation and interlingual subtitling, several aspects are to be emphasized:
The switch from spoken/oral to written language: In subtitling, subtitles are a representation of spoken dialogue in discrete written captions which needs to convey “roughly the same information as the dialogue fragment by employing the higher lexical density of a written text while at the same time retaining enough interpersonal features to maintain a strong spoken orientation” Sponholz (2003:30).
Substantive reduction of the original dialogue: the spatial restrictions(text-positioning, number of lines and character per line, front colour and background) and temporal restrictions(duration of subtitles, in-times and out-times, and camera takes) impose on the subtitler to resort to reduction of the source dialogue through condensation, omissions or deletions) to eliminate those parts which are not essential for the understanding of the original message and to rephrase the remaining passages in a condensed form without destroying coherence( for a more comprehensive view of this aspect, see Diaz Cintas (2001:124), Voge (1977), Sponholz (2003)).
However, reduction is reviewed by many of the very core of subtitling and a necessity when crossing over from speech to writing. The levels of reduction vary according to factors such as the pace of the original, the number of cuts, the complexity of the text, the genre and the medium. These factors/constraints are referred to by Gottlieb (1991:164) as the media defined constraints of subtitling caused by a host of different agents in the communicative process from production of the original to reception of the translated version.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter highlights the rising importance of subtitling as a primary driver of modern intercultural communication within global audiovisual production.
Preliminaries: This section discusses the shift in translation studies from sentence-based approaches to text-based and context-sensitive models, emphasizing the sociocultural nature of translation.
Subtitling: a unique form of translation: The chapter debates the classification of subtitling as a unique form of translation, arguing against narrow traditional definitions that focus solely on written texts.
Some peculiarities of Subtitling: This part identifies the technical and linguistic constraints of subtitling, specifically the shift from oral to written language and the necessity of dialogue reduction.
Conclusion: This final section reflects on the growing role of subtitling in fostering foreign language competence and preserving minority languages through modern media.
Keywords
Audiovisual translation, Subtitling, Interlingual translation, Sociocultural activity, Globalized world, Text translation, Spoken dialogue, Written captions, Media constraints, Language competence, Translation studies, Modern communication, Cultural background, Condensation, Minority languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this article?
The article focuses on the theoretical aspects of subtitling, presenting it as a vital and unique form of translation that significantly impacts modern global communication.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
Central themes include the transition from written text translation to audiovisual translation, the role of sociocultural context, and the specific technical constraints involved in subtitling.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to broaden the understanding of subtitling as a distinct, legitimate form of translation that requires specific skills, moving beyond traditional, written-only definitions.
Which scientific methods or approaches are used?
The paper employs a theoretical analysis, synthesizing scholarly definitions and observations from established translation studies experts to examine the nature of audiovisual translation.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body addresses the fundamental differences between text translation and subtitling, including the challenges of shifting from spoken to written language and the necessity of dialogue reduction.
How would you characterize this work using keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as audiovisual translation, subtitling, media constraints, language competence, and cultural communication.
How does the author define the relationship between text and context?
The author emphasizes that texts are not isolated linguistic items but are embedded in extralinguistic situations, requiring the translator to possess extensive encyclopedic and sociocultural knowledge.
Why does the author argue that subtitling involves "substantive reduction"?
The author explains that spatial and temporal restrictions (such as screen size, reading speed, and duration of subtitles) necessitate the condensation and deletion of non-essential dialogue parts to maintain coherence.
- Quote paper
- PhD Nor-eddine Bourima (Author), 2015, Audiovisual translation. Subtitling as a new form of translation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/342766
