AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION II - 2021/2

Module Overview

In this module students will learn about various forms of audiovisual translation such as dubbing, voice-over, audio description and respeaking, their development, their major challenges as well as their overall relationship to translation. This module consists of a mixture of tutor-lead sessions and sessions with a prominent workshop element.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

DAVITTI Elena (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Attendance of Audiovisual Translation I in semester 1

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Typology of audiovisual translation, as a type of multimodal/intersemiotic translation, which includes, inter alia, dubbing, respeaking and accessible audiovisual translation, such as audio description;


• Specialized approaches to the mediation of audiovisual texts, including semiotics, multimodality and social aspects of transfer across media;


• Conventions and characteristic problems of translation/transfer in different types of audiovisual translation;


• Translating spoken language and dialogue;


• Translating visual images;


• Technology and audiovisual translation;


• Past and present trends in audiovisual translation (linguistic and cultural approaches, reception and avenues for future research).

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

·         Knowledge and understanding of the audiovisual transfer

·         Ability to analyse and interpret translated audiovisual discourse

·         Ability to select and synthesise information in a principled, lucid and scholarly manner

·         Subject-specific knowledge of multimedia translation

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

·         1 written assignment of 1000 words (to be submitted after week 7). Takes the form of a guided commentary task, enabling students to explore and test subject specific knowledge and develop research skills; students will be required to choose their own audiovisual material, translate it for dubbing purposes and discuss how linguistic challenges have been tackled in the target version

·         1 written assignment of 2000 words (to be submitted at the end of the module). Takes the form of an essay, enabling students to develop subject-specific knowledge in this field and to develop research skills in their chosen AVT accessibility mode.

Formative assessment and feedback

·         Formative assessment will focus on student participation and class discussions throughout the module

·         Students will be provided with detailed written feedback following coursework assignments

·         Verbal feedback will also occur in class and individual appointments if required

Module aims

• The module will help students to develop an understanding of the characteristics of audiovisual materials in the broader context of multimodal translation, with a focus on revoicing (dubbing and voice over) and media accessibility (subtitling for the deaf, respeaking and audio description). It will provide a framework for analysing audiovisual materials and making informed choices of appropriate audiovisual translation strategies.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Enable students to develop their multimodal analysis skills, through attending classes and by engaging with practical exercises


• Assist students in uncovering patterns of translated discourse though written assignments, writing exercises and workshop-type activities


• Encourage student participation and learner autonomy, through small group exercises/discussion and reading outside contact hours


• Equip students with the research and writing skills and with the ability to assess the relevance of translated discourse features to translation practice, through reading, presenting findings in group work as well as in the written assignment


• Enable students to acquire explicit knowledge of the creative potential of translation in audiovisual programmes through in-class discussion and individual study  

• Two contact hours per week over Semester 2


• Classes will include lectures


• Students are expected to read extensively outside classes in order to follow lectures


• Constraints and possibilities of audiovisual discourse will be discussed and students will be encouraged to participate actively, drawing on their knowledge of different locales, professional and technological norms in order to identify and illustrate phenomena and principles related to audiovisual translation

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TRAM176

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.