Film subtitles and the conundrum of linguistic and cultural representation
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Marie-Noëlle Guillot
Abstract
This article focuses on linguistic and cultural representation in interlingual film subtitles, as a platform for considering methodological issues associated with comparative approaches in audiovisual translation research and contrastive textology. A main argument is that subtitles have a capacity to generate their own modes of representation and interpretation and to sensitize audiences to linguistic and cultural differences, a capacity that deserves to be acknowledged in its own terms, and that tends to be obscured in face-value textual comparison routinely highlighting “loss” in translation. The questions about comparability that the idiosyncrasies of the relationship between film subtitles and their source dialogues bring to the fore extend to broader textual contexts, and to contrastive media analysis.
Abstract
This article focuses on linguistic and cultural representation in interlingual film subtitles, as a platform for considering methodological issues associated with comparative approaches in audiovisual translation research and contrastive textology. A main argument is that subtitles have a capacity to generate their own modes of representation and interpretation and to sensitize audiences to linguistic and cultural differences, a capacity that deserves to be acknowledged in its own terms, and that tends to be obscured in face-value textual comparison routinely highlighting “loss” in translation. The questions about comparability that the idiosyncrasies of the relationship between film subtitles and their source dialogues bring to the fore extend to broader textual contexts, and to contrastive media analysis.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Approaching contrastive media analysis 1
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Section 1. One language – one culture?
- Crosscultural perspectives on advice 11
- Global and local representations of Cambodia 47
- Contrastive news discourse analysis from a pragmatic perspective 67
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Section 2. Culture in communication – culture as communication?
- Film subtitles and the conundrum of linguistic and cultural representation 101
- Linguistic, intercultural and semiotic contrasts of obituaries 123
- Language and culture in minor media text types 145
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Section 3. Does nation matter?
- Italianicity goes global 179
- What defines news culture? 201
- Genre matters 219
- Index 245
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Approaching contrastive media analysis 1
-
Section 1. One language – one culture?
- Crosscultural perspectives on advice 11
- Global and local representations of Cambodia 47
- Contrastive news discourse analysis from a pragmatic perspective 67
-
Section 2. Culture in communication – culture as communication?
- Film subtitles and the conundrum of linguistic and cultural representation 101
- Linguistic, intercultural and semiotic contrasts of obituaries 123
- Language and culture in minor media text types 145
-
Section 3. Does nation matter?
- Italianicity goes global 179
- What defines news culture? 201
- Genre matters 219
- Index 245
