Introduction to Media Translation

Description

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the field of media translation, focusing on the translation of audiovisual content such as films, TV shows, advertisements, and online media. Students will explore translation theories, strategies, and practical techniques specific to media formats and gain hands-on experience through practical assignments.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the key concepts and challenges in media translation.
• Apply translation theories to audiovisual texts.
• Develop practical skills in translating subtitles, dubbing scripts, and other media formats.
• Analyze and address cultural and contextual issues in media translation.
• Create and evaluate media translation projects.

Weekly Outline:

Week 1: Introduction to Media Translation

• Overview of media translation and its significance.
• Types of media content: Film, TV, advertising, online media.
• Key challenges in media translation.
• Introduction to translation theories relevant to media.

Week 2: Translation Theories and Media Context

• Review of major translation theories: Skopos Theory, Dynamic Equivalence, and Formal Equivalence.
• Application of these theories to media content.
• Case studies of different media translation approaches.

Week 3: Subtitling Basics

• Principles of subtitling: timing, reading speed, and space constraints.
• Subtitling software and tools.
• Practice: Creating subtitles for a short video clip.

Week 4: Dubbing and Voiceover

• Differences between dubbing and voiceover.
• Techniques for writing dubbing scripts and voiceover texts.
• Practice: Adapting dialogue for dubbing.

Week 5: Cultural Adaptation in Media Translation

• Understanding cultural references and idiomatic expressions.
• Techniques for cultural adaptation and localization.
• Practice: Translating culturally-specific content in advertising or TV.

Week 6: Translating Film and Television

• Key aspects of translating film and TV content: dialogue, tone, and humor.
• Challenges in translating different genres and formats.
• Practice: Translating scenes from a film or TV show.

Week 7: Advertising and Marketing Translation

• Principles of translating marketing materials and advertisements.
• Adapting promotional content for different markets.
• Practice: Translating and localizing an advertisement.

Week 8: Online Media and Social Media Translation

• Challenges and strategies for translating online content, including social media posts and blogs.
• Understanding the impact of digital media on translation.
• Practice: Translating social media content and online articles.

Week 9: Legal and Ethical Issues in Media Translation

• Copyright and intellectual property considerations.
• Ethical issues in media translation: fidelity, cultural sensitivity, and representation.
• Case studies of legal and ethical challenges in media translation.

Week 10: Quality Assurance and Editing

• Techniques for reviewing and editing translated media content.
• Ensuring accuracy, consistency, and quality in media translation.
• Practice: Editing and proofreading translated media content.

Week 11: Project Work – Media Translation Project

• Students work on a comprehensive media translation project.
• Projects can include subtitling, dubbing scripts, or translating advertising content.
• Group discussions and peer reviews of projects.

Week 12: Presentations and Course Review

• Students present their media translation projects.
• Review of key concepts and skills learned throughout the course.
• Discussion on future trends and developments in media translation.

Assessment Methods:

• Weekly assignments and practice exercises.
• Midterm quiz covering translation theories and basic practices.
• Media translation project (subtitling, dubbing, or advertisement translation).
• Final presentation of media translation project.

Recommended Texts and Resources:

• Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling by Jorge Díaz Cintas and Pablo Romero-Fresco.
• The Translation of Advertising and Marketing Materials by David Katan.
• Access to subtitling and dubbing software.
• Case studies and examples from real media translation projects.

Final Project:

Students will complete a media translation project of their choice, which could include subtitling a short film, adapting a dubbing script, or translating an advertising campaign. The project will be presented in the final week, showcasing the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course.

This outline provides a comprehensive introduction to media translation, covering both theoretical and practical aspects, and preparing students for various challenges in translating media content.