Subtitling Norms for Television
An exploration focussing on extralinguistic cultural references
Author
In most subtitling countries, those lines at the bottom of the screen are the most read medium of all, for which reason they deserve all the academic attention they can get. This monograph represents a large-scale attempt to provide such attention, by exploring the norms of subtitling for television. It does so by empirically investigating a large corpus of television subtitles from Scandinavia, one of the bastions of subtitling, along with other European data.
The aim of the book is twofold: first, to provide an advanced and comprehensive model for investigating translation problems in the form of Extralinguistic Cultural References (ECRs). Second, to empirically explore current European television subtitling norms, and to look into future developments in this area.
This book will be of interest to anyone interested in gaining access to state-of-the-art tools for translation analysis, or in learning more about the norms of subtitling, based on empirically reliable and current material.
[Benjamins Translation Library, 98] 2011. xvii, 242 pp.
Publishing status: Available
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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List of figures | pp. xi–xii
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List of tables | pp. xiii–xiv
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Abbreviations | pp. xv–xvi
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Acknowledgement | pp. xvii–xviii
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Chapter 1. Subtitling as audiovisual translation | pp. 1–24
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Chapter 2. Norms in general and particular | pp. 25–40
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Chapter 3. Extralinguistic Cultural References as translation problems | pp. 41–68
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Chapter 4. Translation strategies: How it’s done | pp. 69–104
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Chapter 5. Influencing parameters: Why it’s done like that | pp. 105–120
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Chapter 6. Empirical subtitling norms for television | pp. 121–208
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Chapter 7. Prototypical subtitling | pp. 209–216
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Sources | pp. 217–228
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Appendix A. The Scandinavian Subtitles Corpus | pp. 229–238
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Appendix B. Glossary | pp. 239–240
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Index | pp. 241–242
“Subtitling Norms for Television is a comprehensive and carefully researched academic study that will soon occupy the bookshelves of translation studies scholars, researchers in AVT and AVT practitioners alike. It takes the time to introduce and contextualise subtitling within AVT, but then moves on into the very specialized area of subtitling norms and extralinguistic cultural references (ECR’s), by the way of descriptive translation studies, drawing on a vast corpus of original material and a sound theoretical framework. Indeed, the book places subtitling, and AVT more generally, squarely within descriptive translation studies, demonstrating the relevance of its concepts and methodology for AVT, but also the relevance of technology-driven AVT for Translation Studies. In addition, Jan Pedersen’s meticulous analysis of subtitling strategies and the parameters that influence them is prime teaching material, and of great interest to practitioners in search of translation solutions. Finally, and equally importantly, the book raises new questions and is written in an engaging and accessible style that I truly hope will inspire many.”
Aline Remael, Hogeschool Antwerpen
“Jan Pedersen's stimulating book is based on solid, large-scale empirical research as well as his personal experience of working as a subtitler. This combination of factors makes the book a particularly welcome addition to subtitling studies. Subtitling Norms for Television is readable and well argued and avoids jargon. Whether you are a subtitler eager to compare notes with a colleague, a viewer curious about what goes on behind the scenes before the subtitles you need reach your living room, a student writing a thesis on some aspect of this very influential type of translation or an academic interested in subtitling norms and strategies, you will find this a very rewarding read.”
Ritva Leppihalme, University of Helsinki
“Once and again we read that audiovisual translation (AVT) has come of age, and Pedersen’s book is substantial proof of such a statement and a proud addition to our field. He deals with that challenging area of Extralinguistic Cultural References in a thorough, seriously witty and solidly researched manner. His proposed model for the analysis of ECRs is without a doubt one of the most promising breakthroughs we’ve seen in AVT in recent years, a seminal heuristic tool for researchers. Highly accessible in style, with a mine of information and excellent examples, this is essential reading for anyone interested in AVT.”
Jorge Díaz Cintas, Imperial College London
“In this fascinating study on subtitling, based on an impressive corpus of 50 feature films and 50 episodes of TV series, Jan Pedersen, himself an experienced subtitler-cum-scholar, analyzes the norms used in Sweden and Denmark, respectively, when dealing with what he calls Extralinguistic Cultural References, in short ‘ECRs’. [...] This well-written and long-needed book deserves to be enjoyed by all those who take an interest in what happens in the translation of the world’s perhaps most popular text type, TV fiction, from the world’s most dominant language, English, in what may be the world’s most subtitling-happy corner, Scandinavia.”
Henrik Gottlieb, University of Copenhagen
“Jan Pedersen’s research approach for his Subtitling Norms for Television: An Exploration Focussing on Extralinguistic Cultural References is going to find emulations in other language combinations.”
Federico M. Federici, in The Year’s Work in Critical and Cultural Theory, 21 (2013)
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Subjects
Translation & Interpreting Studies
Main BIC Subject
CFP: Translation & interpretation
Main BISAC Subject
LAN023000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Translating & Interpreting