Audiovisual Translation

Audiovisual translation, also known as multimedia translation, is the process by which audiovisual content is translated to transmit information through visual or acoustic media. It can be said that audiovisual translation is any translation intended to be consumed through a screen. It is called multimedia translation since it is transmitted through various media such as cinema, mobile devices, television, among others. Audiovisual translations are characterized by the fact that they must always be consistent with what the viewer sees on the screen. The text and the image are inseparable and each word must make sense in a context, time and tone.

Living in a world where more and more audiovisual content is consumed, audiovisual translation becomes essential so that it can reach many more countries and cultures. This is why cultural aspects must be taken into account in the translation, maintaining the tone of the original, adapting it to the target culture. Therefore, translators, in addition to having knowledge of vocabulary, must have a high level of knowledge of the colloquial language.

Types of audiovisual translations:

• Subtitling: The subtitling service consists of translating the oral version of an audiovisual production and placing it as a written text at the bottom of the image. The purpose is that the viewer can follow the sequences without problems, for this the translator must be able to adapt the text to the reading speed without losing the essence and the context. It is usually used in informative videos, movies, series, documentaries, etc.

• Dubbing: Dubbing consists of replacing the dialogues of an audiovisual production in the original version with dialogues in another language. It should be as natural as possible and make sense with what is being seen in the production. For this it is necessary to adopt in the best way the expressions, the lip photography and the cultural context. It is used in movies, series, animations, testimonials, reality shows, among others.

• Audio description: This is a description made for blind people of the content of an audiovisual material. The translator must describe the content so that blind people can perceive it in a similar way to the rest of the spectators, helping them to understand the setting and atmosphere of the scene. You can make audio descriptions of movies, plays, cultural events, etc. They are widely used in museums and art exhibitions where the user is described what they are visiting and the meaning of the artworks.

• Sign language: This is the translation of the audiovisual content made by a sign interpreter through a box located on the lower right side of the screen. It is essential for people with hearing disabilities to have equal access to audiovisual media. It is usually used in news and debates, however, like the like the ones mentioned above, it can be used in movies, documentaries, etc.