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Article published In:
Target
Vol. 13:2 (2001) ► pp.289–304

Voiced-over television documentaries

Terminological and conceptual issues for their research

| State University of Ceará, Brazil

As a relatively new field of research, audiovisual translation still lacks conceptual and terminological consistency, especially when the object of study is factual output and its modes of transfer. Based on an empirical investigation of voice-over translations of television documentaries, the article gives a brief illustration of the commonest terminological and conceptual difficulties faced by the researcher, identifies some of their causes, and goes on to suggest some of the deplorable consequences for research. It is argued, above all, that research on audiovisual translation still has a lot to develop as far as television informative content is concerned.

Keywords: ausiovisual translation, commentary, documentary, modes of transfer, voive-over, terminology
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • 1.What documentary (voice-over) translation is/is not about
    • 1.1The documentary candidates for translation
    • 1.2Voice-over translation and the terminological landscape
    • 1.3Discourse types or translation modes?
  • 2.On the reasons for terminological and conceptual ambiguity and some consequences for research
  • 3.Final remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
  • Personal correspondence
Published online: 13 June 2002
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.13.2.05fra
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