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Miss Frances McGonigle

PhD Research Student (Centre for Translation Studies)

Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA

Email:

Further information

Biography

During my Masters in Monolingual Subtitling & Audio Description, I began research into blindness and the implications of visual absence on the translation of film narrative for visually-impaired audiences. My dissertation focused on 'The Audio Description of Children's Films' (Distinction, 2007) (available in hard copy at the University of Surrey library).

Following my Postgraduate Degree, I worked professionally as a freelance subtitler and administrator, with assignments including subtitle origination of American chat shows and sitcoms, Discovery Channel and ITV shows and documentaries. Awarded a University of Surrey scholarship in 2008, I am now undertaking doctorate research into the audio description of film.

Research Interests

Research Topic

Audio Description & Semiotics

Supervision: Professor Margaret Rogers and Dr Sabine Braun.

The context of this project is Audio Description (AD), a growing media access service for visually-impaired people.

In AD for film, important visual elements and sound effects are briefly and creatively described for scripts then voiced onto the original soundtrack. AD does not necessarily make reference to how films are put together however, including symbolic elements. These elements may contribute to meaning, and they are also accessible to sighted audiences. This research therefore investigates whether it is necessary to audio describe film symbolism, as well as possible, based on approaches in semiotics, translation, film and disability studies.

In February/March 2012, I spent a week at New College Worcester (NCW). NCW is a residential school for blind and partially-sighted children, with approximately 80 students of between 11 and 18 years of age. The school offers a full range of curricular activities supporting students through to A' level, as well as providing training in Braille, mobility, and independent living skills, also creating personal learning programmes for children with additional needs. As a result of my time at NCW and being able to interact with students in a variety of settings, I have a vastly improved understanding of visual impairment (VI), access technology and learning support. Most importantly, I also no longer hold any out-dated assumptions about the shape of specialist education: NCW is a very modern and friendly environment, where the interests and aspirations of young people living with VI are met every day.  I am very grateful to the Principal, Mrs Mardy Smith, and to all of the staff and students at NCW for this very rewarding and enjoyable experience.

NCW is a registered charity (No. 1118377). For further information, please go to http://www.newcollegeworcester.co.uk/ or contact Chris Stonehouse, Vice Principal, on 01905 763933.

Publications

Pending chapter on 'The Audio Description of Children's Films' in an edited volume for the "Benjamins Translation Library" series (Ed. Braun/Rogers), publication date tbc.

Conferences and Seminars

Attendance at the 4th International Media for All Conference - Audiovisual Translation: Taking Stock
Imperial College London (28 June-1 July 2011)

Attendance at Calling the Shots: a new approach to audio description
City University London (19 May 2010)

Attendance at The Media of Translation / Translation between Media conference
Cambridge University (20 March 2009)

Attendance at the memorial event for Professor Gunilla Anderman, who taught me in the Translation of Drama and Children's Literature:
Celebrating the Life and Work of our Colleague, Professor Gunilla Anderman (1938-2007)
University of Surrey (25 June 2008)

Attendance at the two-day seminar/workshop:
Audio Description for Visually Impaired People: Towards an Interdisciplinary Research Agenda
University of Surrey (28-29 June 2007)

Attendance at the Centre for Translation Studies' 21st Anniversary Symposium event
University of Surrey (22 November 2006)

Contact

If you share an interest in film, semiotics and accessibility, I would very much like to hear from you. Please e-mail me at: f.mcgonigle@surrey.ac.uk.