Audiovisual Translation

See highlighted sections for changes.

Audiovisual Translation (102 53740)

Wednesday, 13.20 – 15.10 (General Courses Bldg 205)

Overview

This module introduces you to the fascinating subject of translating audiovisual programmes for the television, cinema, and Internet. It provides you with an insight into the audiovisual translation processes involved in the production of video material. You will receive instruction on the principles of audiovisual translation and an introduction to the technical aspects of subtitling and dubbing, and you will practice in the production of subtitling and voice-overs for audiovisual material.

Aims

1. To familiarise you with the theoretical dimensions and practical issues associated with audiovisual translation;
2. To help you understand the relationship and interaction that takes place between written text and audiovisual media text within the context of translating various media items;
3. To highlight and investigate the formats of new media/multi-media texts such as the Internet, TV films, news reports;
4. To develop the skills required to translate audiovisual material.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. understand the relationship between translation and media through a wide range of media format translation applications;
2. understand the key dimensions (technical, linguistic, socio-cultural, commercial) associated with subtitling, dubbing, and the translation of audiovisual material as forms of intercultural communication;
3. recognise the challenges facing translation, translators and, consequently, translation process/ product when dealing with the ever changing and developing multi-media channels;
4. deal with media texts open-mindedly, taking into account the various cultural differences globally as well as locally;
5. produce reasonable, well informed, and good pieces of translated texts of various media, multi media formats (e.g., film sub-titles).

Requirements

Most classes will take a “lecture, tutorial and workshop” format, involving a mixture of teacher-facilitated explanation and discussion, followed by exercises, presentations, and evaluation. The working method is designed to give you first-hand experience. You must come to class prepared. There will be at least four translation exercises, including on-site practice. There will also be a collaborative term-end translation project. Students are required to maintain an “Audiovisual Translation Portfolio”, containing all work done for this course, for assessment purposes and future reference. It is also useful to bring your laptop to class so you can do corrections and revisions in class as we go along, and you can also look things up on the Internet as needed.

Attendance: You will need to attend class regularly to succeed in this course. Please come on time and be prepared. If you must miss class, let me know in advance by e-mail. You are responsible for work assigned or due in your absence. More than three absences will lower your final grade; more than five absences will result in you failing the course. Two tardies are equivalent to one absence.

Late Work: Assignments need to be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date. I will accept assignments up to one week late with a five-point penalty. No exceptions will be made to this policy except in cases of serious emergency.

Grading: Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Translation exercises: 50%

Term project: 20%

Peer-editing: 20%

Attendance & participation: 10%

References: Course materials will be supplied weekly.

Serban, Adriana. (2004) Introduction to Audiovisual Translation. University of Leeds.

Díaz Cintas, Jorge & Remael, Aline. (2007). Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling (Translation Practices Explained). Manchester, UK, & Kinderhook (NY), USA: St. Jerome Publishing.

Diaz Cintas, Jorge (ed.). (2009). New Trends in Audiovisual Translation. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

Fong, Gilbert & Au, Kenneth. (2009). Dubbing and Subtitling in a World Context. Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Orero, Pilar (ed.). (2004). Topics in Audiovisual Translation. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.

Syllabus (updated regularly)

Week	Date	Syllabus
1	24/02	Introduction
2	03/03	Poetry slam: Introduction to “poetry slam”, example, discussion; transcription exercise; translation workshop. HW: Translation of “What Teachers Make”
3	10/03	Poetry slam: Peer-editing workshop; discussion HW: Revision, translation & self-assessment
4	17/03	Poetry slam: Peer-editing workshop; presentation; assessment HW: Revision, self-assessment DUE next week: All drafts and final translation of “What Teachers Make”
5	24/03	Stand-up comedy: Introduction to stand-up comedy, example, discussion; transcription exercise; translation workshop HW: Translation
6	31/03	Stand-up comedy: Peer-editing workshop; discussion HW: Revision, translation & self-assessment
7	07/04	Study Break (no class) HW: Peer-editing workshop via e-mail; revisions and final version + self-assessment DUE next week: All drafts
8	14/04	Stand-up comedy: Presentation; assessment Film: Introduction to movie; transcription exercise of “Wit” (part 1, segment 3) HW: Translation of “Wit” 1.3
9	21/04	Film: Discuss transcription and translation of “Wit” 1.3; peer-editing workshop; translation for “Wit” 1.2 HW: Revise translations for “Wit” 1.2 & 1.3; watch whole movie
10	28/04	Discussion: Issues about the class and changes Film: Peer-editing workshop (two segments); comparison of translation with professional subtitlers’; selection of clip/part to work on HW: Revise translations 1.2 & 1.3; transcribe selected clip (pair work).
11	05/05	Film: Peer-editing workshop (pair & peer); class discussion; T-S interviews HW: Revise translation + self-assessment
12	12/05	Film: Pair peer-editing workshop; class discussion; T-S interviews HW: Prepare for presentation (e-mail T presentation by Monday 5PM)
13	19/05	Film: Presentation (dotsub.com); assessment DUE next week: all drafts & self-assessment
14	26/05	Lecture: topic to be announced Webcast
15	02/06	Webcast
16	09/06	Due: Portfolio (including new revisions and final drafts) Webcast
17	16/06	Dragon Boat Festival (no class)
18	23/06	Term project presentation