Audiovisual Translation and Subtitling

Academic year: 2009-2010 Course code module 1MFVS040 Semester: 1st semester Credits: 6 Study load (hours) 168 Theory (hours): 10,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): 35,00 Other (hours): Part-time program: 1/2 Instructor(s) A. Remael Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 1st semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties A very good passive knowledge of English (and French), and an excellent active knowledge of Dutch. Students are able to understand and correctly translate English (and/or French) film dialogues and voice-over commentary into idiomatic Dutch, the target language of the subtitling. *Sequentiality None 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) Students know the typical features of the most common forms of audiovisual translation: their linguistic specificity on the one hand, and their intersemiotic characteristics on the other. They are able to subtitle feature films and documentaries in idiomatic Dutch in a way that fulfils the needs of the target audience and accords with possible genre conventions, thereby using professional subtitling software and taking into account language and culture specific factors as well as the typical technological constraints of subtitling.  3. Course content This seminar consists of a short theoretical introduction to the different forms of audiovisual translation (AVT), but is primarily focused on the practical (linguistic and cultural) aspects of subtitling. In the theoretical part, the most common forms of audiovisual translation (i.e. translated commentary and voice-over, post-synchronisation, and subtitling) along some recent forms (subtitling for the hearing impaired, ‘audio description’) are being looked into. The historical-ideological background of these different variants, within Europe, is elaborated, as well as the different ways in which they affect the film text and the nature of the linguistic and intersemiotic problems they pose for the translator. The practical part of the seminar is devoted solely to subtitling: the software (Scantitling, Titlevision and Swift), the technical and linguistic constraints that are inherent to the technique, dialogue analysis, the influence of genre and target audience. Students provide subtitles for a number of short movies for the ANIMA Animation Film Festival in Brussels, organized by Folioscope. The theoretical part of the course gives students insight into the complexities of translating for film and television; the practical part provides hands on experience in subtitling films on videotape and in digital form. 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Exercise sessions Seminars (possible question and answer sessions) Skills training 5. Assessment method Written assignment: Without oral presentation 6. Compulsory reading – study material Course materials and a collection of recent articles about film translation (available at ABS, Amerikalei, Antwerpen). Jorge Díaz Cintas & Aline Remael (2007) Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling. Manchester: St Jerome. This book is available at the library of the department Vertalers en tolken (Artesis), can be bought on the website of St Jerome or through the department Vertalers en tolken at the beginning of the academic year. 7. Recommended reading - study material See bibliographical list in course materials. 8. Tutoring After class and by appointment. laatste aanpassing: last update: 11/01/2010 15:14 hanna.goossens