module specification

The module focuses on one particular audiovisual translation (AVT) mode: Subtitling.
You will be introduced to the main translation-related issues peculiar to subtitling, including methods of dealing with linguistic and non-linguistic elements within the audio-visual text, and taught the basic, transferable practical skills necessary to develop further experience in a professional subtitling environment. Theoretical and example-based instructions in the basic principles of the various issues will be coupled with practical and technically-oriented exercises relating to these principles.

The module aims to enable you to:

1. Appraise the challenges faced by the translators working with audiovisual material, namely the complex semiotic mix of linguistic and non-linguistic elements;
2. Develop practical techniques and translation strategies for dealing with these issues as appropriate to subtitled material;
3. Identify the pros and limitations of subtitling within the context of the target audience culture;
4. Appreciate the social dimension of audiovisual texts, i.e. the sociocultural context in which audiovisual programmes are produced, the extent to which these convey values, clichès and biases and how much these influence the target audiences’ perception of the world, as well as the translator’s decisions.

If there are no sufficient student numbers to make a module viable , the school reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the School cancels a module it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative

No official pre-requisites but students are advised to be IT literate

The module focuses on the subtitling modality of AVT, although much of the material covered will also be relevant to other modalities such as dubbing and voiceover.The module intends to provide you with an awareness of technical and translational issues peculiar to subtitling (LO1), give you the practical skills necessary to develop further experience in a professional subtitling environment (LO2 and LO3) and support your reflection on social issues triggered by audiovisual programs (e.g. gender, ethnicity) and, consequently, on your role of active agent in instigating positive social changes through your work of translator (LO4).
For this purpose, you will work with a varied range of audiovisual texts (films, documentaries, advertisements).You will be expected to combine your theoretical and practical knowledge in producing a short piece of subtitled work for the assessment. Only one software package will be taught, but the skills learned are expected to be transferable to other programs.

You will also gain experience of working on your own and in group.

The module involves a combination of face-to-face and blended learning delivery to keep enhancing your capacity to communicate and exchange work through different mediums. You will get knowledge about the specificities of AVT (more specifically subtitling) through very practical sessions which will entail hands-on exercises with the regular use of a subtitling program, individual and group work, brainstorming and reflective activities and problem-solving tasks. This range of activities is aimed at recreating the scenarios in which professional subtitlers work, to accommodate your different learning styles and to enable you to develop different transferable skills: time management while working to set deadlines, individual and team work, self-reflection on your own and your peers’ work and, more widely, on the whole process.

These activities will attract formative feedback which will support your reflection on what you have been learning in preparation for the summative assessment.
Use of WebLearn will be made regularly for the purpose of sharing material, tasks and submitting assignments.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:
1. Distinguish the challenges faced by the translators working with audiovisual material, i.e. the complex semiotic mix of linguistic (dialogue and other verbal cues) and non-linguistic elements (e.g. movements and expressions, setting, mood, sound);
2. Apply the key practical techniques and translation strategies to deal with these issues (e.g. timing, segmentation, condensation, omission);
3. Develop the capacity to successfully comprise between the pros and limitations of the subtitling mode within the context of the target audiences’ culture;
4. Critically discuss to what extent audiovisual texts are carriers of social values, clichès and biases and how much this impact the target audience’s perception of the world and the translator’s decisions.

The content of the assessment has been designed taking into consideration the employers’ demand for candidates who are able to produce subtitled translations which comply with global industry standards, as well as inclusivity parameters. It therefore aligns with the set learning outcomes.

For this purpose, the assessment aims to test both your practical skills in producing a piece of subtitled work and your understanding of the theoretical issues at play in subtitling.
The assessment has therefore two components: one practical and one evaluative. For the practical component, you will be given a videoclip from a film or other audiovisual source to subtitle in class using the designated software programme.
For the evaluative component, you will have to write a commentary on an audiovisual programme of your choice which has already been subtitled by the industry. This commentary will highlight a set number of issues encompassing an appropriate range of linguistic and extra-linguistic considerations as covered during the taught sessions.

Formative assessment on your homework tasks will be given each week in class and/or through WebLearn. This will prepare you for the assessment on which you receive feedback in due time.

See reading list here:
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/1491A020-B76D-682E-E102-5383E47B7DDD.html?lang=en-US&login=1