This module explores the history, theory and practice of interlingual subtitling in fiction film. Hands-on subtitling of film excerpts is complemented by critical reflection and analysis of specific examples.

The module aims at creating theoretically informed awareness of the specific challenges and constraints involved in subtitling, in accordance with current industry standards. Students will be guided in developing adequate strategies for subtitling film dialogue, voice-over narration and on-screen language, allowing them to build basic proficiency in subtitling practice. The practical experience gained in the subtitling exercises will, in turn, increase students’ capacity to critically reflect on subtitling at a high level of sophistication.

Although no specific knowledge of subtitling software is required, students on this module need to have a high level of competence with computers. All subtitling work will be carried out on Windows computers in the School. Please note that the layout of the keyboards provided is British English (QWERTY). Students wishing to translate into a language using non-Roman characters (e.g. Arabic, Persian, Mandarin Chinese) should be aware that text input may be significantly slower than with a keyboard specifically designed for their language.

1. Apply translation theories to subtitling (LO1)
2. Critically analyse the challenges involved in subtitling feature films (LO2)
3. Develop strategies to accommodate the specific constraints of subtitling (LO3)
4. Explain their own practice of interlingual subtitling (LO4)

Teaching is by eight double seminars and workshops in the second semester (Spring). The first two sessions will be theoretical and analytical, involving short student presentations in session 2; sessions 3 to 6 are workshops introducing students to the subtitling process and software-based subtitling; in session 7 students will be able to discuss their work on the first subtitling assignment and receive further guidance from the tutor with regard to the subtitling workflow; the final session (8) will attempt to draw conclusions and allow room for discussing ideas for projects (MA dissertation or ATP).

Computer skills

Presentation skills

Assessment will be by two subtitled film clips and accompanying files (details will be provided in class).

Written Assessment (40%): Subtitling exercise 1 (set passage) (c. 450 words of film dialogue, from English into a TL of choice other than English + reflective commentary of c. 900 words). This assesses LOs 1 to 4.

Written Assessment (60%): Subtitling exercise 2 (student choice) (c. 600 words of film dialogue, from a SL of choice into a TL of choice + reflective commentary of c. 1,200 words) This assesses LOs 1 to 4.

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

You may be required to resit one or more of the assessments in this module if you fail the module. The Examination Board will advise you which assessments you need to resit during the August resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

• Introduction to audio-visual translation: history, theory, analysis
• Analysis of examples (formative student presentations)
• The subtitling process: working conditions and technical considerations
• Workshops: Introduction to software-based subtitling
• Optimising the subtitling workflow

Summary and conclusions: ideas for projects