Audiovisual Translation Overview

Audiovisual Translation (AVT)

• AVT is a broad term encompassing several overlapping concepts including media translation, multimedia translation, multimodal translation, and screen translation
• AVT covers the interlingual transfer of verbal language across visual and auditory mediums, mostly via electronic devices.
• Theatrical plays and opera, for example, have traditionally, used acting and singing in the original language, to translate the content

History of AVT

• The need for AVT arose in the 1920s with the introduction of talking pictures and the need to allow films to circulate despite language barriers.

AVT Modalities

• Two common modalities are dubbing and subtitling.
• Dubbing involves replacing the original audio with a voice track, ideally matching timing, phrasing and lip movement. The goal is for the target language to sound like the source actors.
• Subtitling is the visual display of a written translation overlaid on the screen, synchronized with the original dialogue. It's a condensed version of the dialogue.
• A less common modality is Voice-Over, which uses a disembodied voice on top of the original audio. This track has independent timing cues

Dubbing Process

• The typical process involves four main steps: translation, adaptation, recording, and mixing
• The adapted script should sound natural in the target language, aligning with actors' lip movements
• Original actors' phrasing and lip movements are targeted for accurate replication
• The final dub is mixed with original audio for a balanced effect
• Actors may record individual parts independently now, streamlining the process

Subtitling Process

• Subtitles generally are a condensed representation of the scene's dialogue that is synced with the original dialogue.
• The subtitling translator is responsible for adjusting the original language dialogue to fit the constraints of the display
• The mode of display (open, closed) impacts viewer control of the subtitles

Subtitling Considerations

• Subtitle length is generally 30-40 characters to avoid obstructing the viewer experience while retaining the narrative.
• Studies have shown that shorter subtitles can lead to better comprehension.
• Languages' differing word lengths might complicate subtitles.
• subtitles can be provided in various languages and formats.

Advantages of Dubbing

• It provides broader access to audiences by making the content accessible in other languages
• It maintains the original visual experience, therefore retaining a clear visual, emotional, and narrative flow

Disadvantages of Dubbing

• High cost and complexity, requiring various professionals such as translators, sound engineers, and actors
• It can lead to the loss of the original soundtrack's authenticity
• Sometimes, lip-synchronization might not be perfect and it can appear artificial

Advantages of Subtitling

• Keeps the original audio and soundtrack, preserving the actors' voices
• Aids in learning other languages as viewers can hear and read simultaneously
• It does not modify or alter the original audio.

Disadvantages of Subtitling

• It can divide viewers' attention making the movie less immersive due to the additional need to read subtitles
• Some languages' dialogues could be too long to fit within certain time frame limits
• Text can obscure visual cues

Voice-Over

• Often used in narrative styles, such as documentaries, news, and advertisements.
• While the original audio remains audible, the voice-over remains indecipherable to the majority.

Localization of Video Games

• Video games often include both subtitling and dubbing content to suit specific audiences.
• Language translation and software engineering are integral aspects of the video-game localization process.
• Localization includes the incorporation of translated audio and text into a game while keeping the in-game experience natural and immersive.
• Game publishers usually handle localization and ensure functional and linguistic quality control.

Real-Time Subtitling and Respeaking

• Emerging technology aids both real-time transcription of speaker-dependent speech which can be converted to written subtitles with human verification to minimize errors
• Speech recognition software can now process oral speech into written subtitles quite accurately.

Explore the fascinating world of Audiovisual Translation (AVT), a critical field in media translation that facilitates understanding across different languages and modalities. This quiz covers the history, common practices like dubbing and subtitling, and the evolution of AVT since the 1920s. Test your knowledge on how language intersects with visual and auditory media!