Non-professional Subtitling in Italy: the Challenges of Translating Humour and Taboo Language

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Hikma 17
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Published: Dec 13, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21071/hikma.v17i0.11103

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Giulia Magazzù
“Gabriele D’Annunzio” University of Chieti- Pescara

Abstract

Fansubbing is one of the most common forms of non-professional audiovisual translation today, whose popularity is increasing thanks to digital technology advances. This happens especially in countries like Italy, where English is not the official language. The fansubbing phenomenon is at the same time a source of entertainment and knowledge, and it gives the possibility to fans to watch their favourite programme in their language. Despite being an illegal activity, the phenomenon has several benefits both for the programme itself and for the audience. Through the analysis of the amateur translation of the subtitles of an episode of Vicious, this paper will attempt to show the main translational differences between mainstream subtitling and fansubbing, focusing on the rendering of humour and taboo language.

 

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How to Cite
Magazzù, G. (2018). Non-professional Subtitling in Italy: the Challenges of Translating Humour and Taboo Language. Hikma, 17, 75–93. https://doi.org/10.21071/hikma.v17i0.11103
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Vol. 17 (2018)
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Articles
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Author Biography

Giulia Magazzù, “Gabriele D’Annunzio” University of Chieti- Pescara

Giulia Magazzù, PhD, works as contract lecturer at “Gabriele D’Annunzio” University of Chieti- Pescara, Italy, where she teaches English linguistics and Translation at undergraduate level. Her research interests are: Corpus Linguistics applied to Translation Studies, Audiovisual Translation and Sociolinguistics.
She  has  worked  as  a translator from English into Italian  at  a  number of events and advertising campaigns in Italy. Her specialization and area of expertise is in the field of English to Italian audiovisual translation (subtitling and dubbing).

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