Summer School in Audiovisual Translation

3 – 31 July 2017

This intensive four-week course provides a theoretical framework for translators and researchers in the area of AVT as well as hands-on training with audiovisual material taken from different authentic contexts.

The course is divided in four modules:

Module A: Dubbing and Voice-over (3 – 10 July)

12 hours of language specific teaching

Dubbing After a definition of dubbing, the interaction between text and image will be discussed and you will learn about the technical issues that constrain dubbing in terms of time and space. We will then take a look at the different conventions applied in what is considered standard practice intranslation for dubbing: take segmentation, dubbing symbols, lip-syncing and the emulation of oral discourse. All these concept will be illustrated with examples and clips. You will work with clips and will carry out some of the tasks pertaining to dubbing, like take segmentation (segmenting the translation according to different national conventions), insertion of dubbing symbols for voice talents, as well as the omnipresent lip-sync according to the constraints imposed by the medium. In a supportive environment, you will make a simulated dubbing in the class with the help of Windows Movie Maker or VirtualDub, so that you can experience the technical and technological dimensions of dubbing.

Voiceover This component starts with an introduction to voice-over as an audiovisual transfer mode which is gaining momentum in the international arena. Although references to fictional genres will be made, the focus will be on non-fiction (documentaries, interviews, corporate videos, etc.). After describing voice-over practice in Europe, the main features of this transfer mode as well as the various workflows will be summarised. Special attention will be paid to synchronisation issues and the language rewording that it often entails. You will translate and discuss various short clips that present different challenges, and specific software will be used to simulate voice-over.

Module B: Subtitling (11 – 18 July)

12 hours of language specific teaching

After a definition and a survey of the different types of subtitles, the interaction between text and images will be discussed and you will learn about the technical issues that constrain subtitling in terms of time and space. We will then take a look at the different conventions applied in what is considered standard practice in interlingual subtitling, and examples of strategies such as segmentation, condensation and reformulation will be offered. You will work with clips and will carry out some of the tasks pertaining to subtitling, like the spotting or cueing (i.e. deciding the in and out times of the different subtitles) as well as the actual translation of the clip following the appropriate limitations imposed by the medium. In a supportive environment, you will produce and simulate your own translations and subtitles with the help of the professional subtitling software WinCAPS, so that you can experience the technical and technological dimensions of subtitling.

Module C: Subtitling for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (19 – 24 July)

12 hours of teaching in English (no language specific sessions)

The module starts with an introduction to deafness aimed at becoming familiar with the audience. The specific requirements of subtitling for the deaf and hard-of hearing – textual, tone of voice, speaker identification sound effects – will be highlighted. The conventions and norms in place will be discussed. An insight into subtitling for deaf children will be presented and issues related to subtitling for young audiences will be discussed. You will translate and discuss various short clips that present different challenges, with the help of the professional subtitling software WinCAPS.

Module D: Audio Description for the Blind and the Partially Sighted (25 – 31 July)

12 hours of teaching in English (no language specific sessions)

After a definition and brief introduction to the different types of audio descriptions available, you will be taken through the technical constraints of adding audio description to film, where image, sound and speech need to be perfectly understood in order to be taken into account when an all encompassing aural equivalent (AD) is in order. You will be working with different materials that will enhance your image reading skills and give you the basic tools needed to audio describe moving images.

Máis información: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/centras/study/professional/summer/av-summer-school