Disciplina: Audiovisual Translation (Subtitling, Audio Description)

Tarefa 2.1

Subtitling is a type of translation in which the audiovisual language of TV

programs or films is transferred in order to express the message that is being
transmitted. Subtitling has many differences in relation to the translation of most
written texts. And also presents some challenges and strategies.
Regarding the differences between most translations and subtitling, while
in most translations the reader does not compare the source text with the target
one, in subtitling the comparison happens simultaneously, especially if the viewer
is familiar with the source language. Another difference is that, in subtitling,
extended messages must be condensed due to the reduced space destined to it,
while other written texts have more space to present them. Also in subtitling the
addition of footnotes and other explanations is not possible.
Subtitling, as other types of translations, presents many challenges. The
challenges can be technical, like the limited space (usually two lines per frame)
and limited time (normally six seconds per frame). There are also cultural
challenges in subtitling, such as the differences in cultural norms of different
countries, like humor, for example, or cultural taboos. Linguist challenges are
also common, such as accents and pronunciation.
The main purpose of subtitling is to make audiovisual material
understandable for the target audience. For that, a translator shall use Skopos, a
theory in the field of translation studies that employs the principle of a purposeful
action to determine a translation strategy. Skopos can help the translator to
decide which strategies he or she should apply for subtitling determined material.
The strategies used for subtitling can be classified in macro-strategies and
micro-strategies, being the first formulated to overall framework and the former
that deal with individual translation problems on word and sentence levels.
Macro-strategies can help the translator to decide how to translate the text.
It can be divided into source oriented or target oriented. When a translator
focuses on the form and content of the source, like in documentaries, the
translation is source oriented. If the focus is on the effects of the text more than
the semantic meaning, the translation is target oriented.
Micro-strategies, on the other hand, can be divided into twelve types: direct
transfer, calque, direct translation, oblique translation, explicitation, paraphrase,
condensation, adaptation, addition, deletion, substitution and permutation. The
translator shall choose the better technique to fill the purpose of each translation.
 Finally, subtitlers must bear in mind other important concepts in order to
reach good results in their work. These are the concept of culture, the use of
translation strategies, the norms linking concepts and the written and oral
concepts.