TRAM498 Audiovisual Translation

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of cross-linguistic, cross-cultural issues in AVT, which will allow them to question own assumptions and to compare established practices and norms in audiovisual translation
• Make informed decisions about the production of sustainable audiovisual outputs, such as subtitles or voice over excerpts, based on knowledge of how language is processed in both written and spoken modes
• Apply theoretical approaches to solve translation problems, with a view to achieving sustainable digital solutions
• Develop self-efficacy and resilience in justifying and explaining audiovisual translation choices by analysing the decision process that led to digitally and theoretically informed solutions
• Demonstrate knowledge of the broader social, legal and technological contexts of audiovisual Translation, which will allow them to question own assumptions and will stand them in good stead for future employment.

• Typology of audiovisual translation, as a type of multimodal/intersemiotic translation, which includes, inter alia, dubbing, game localisation, live subtitling and accessible audiovisual translation, such as audio description
• Specialized approaches to the mediation of audiovisual texts, including semiotics, multimodality and social aspects of transfer across media
• Audiovisual communication analysis for AVT purposes
• Verbal and non- verbal elements in audiovisual texts
• Conventions and characteristic problems of translation/transfer in different types of audiovisual translation
• Translating spoken language and dialogue
• Translating visual images
• Technology and audiovisual translation
• Past and present trends in audiovisual translation (linguistic and cultural approaches, reception and avenues for future research).

• Seminars, which are interspersed with opportunities for group and whole class discussions, where students will be able to assimilate, apply and question acquired knowledge and where they will be able to analyse concrete examples of audiovisual translation from a technical, linguistic and client-compliance perspective
• The above contact hours will be complemented with materials (such as existing filmic material, audiovisual translations, podcasts, industry reports and manuals) and activities (such as planning an audiovisual translation project) for guided study posted on the virtual learning environment (SurreyLearn)
• Students are expected to read language-related and audiovisual translation-related sources outside classes in order to build their confidence in discussing multimodal discourse and they are expected to practice with dedicated software before/after each class so as to maximize their participation in hands-on exercises tackled in class and to prepare for their assignments.

A Written Commentary (1,200-words) (40%) (to be submitted in the first half of the semester). 

This takes the form of a guided commentary task, enabling students to explore and test subject-specific knowledge and develop research skills.

ONE of the following:

• A Written Assignment (1,800 words) (60%) (to be submitted at the end of the module). This takes the form of an essay, enabling students to develop subject-specific knowledge in this field and to develop research skills in their chosen AVT mode.
  OR
• A Written Commentary (1,600-word commentary based on 12 mins of prepared AV material) (60%) (to be submitted at the end of the module). This takes the form of a reflective, critical commentary task, enabling students to explore and test subject-specific knowledge and develop research skills. Students will be required to choose their own audiovisual material, prepare it for a certain context of production and discuss how linguistic/cultural challenges have been tackled.

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk