AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION AND AUDIO DESCRIPTION (ENGLISH)

The course Audiovisual Translation and Audio Description – English is one of the core courses common to the Master’s Degree in Translation and Interpreting and aims to provide methodological and practical tools for audiovisual translation.
Building on the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous academic year, the course aims to further develop students’ ability to reflect on language from an Italian-English contrastive perspective and to apply these reflections to audiovisual and intersemiotic translation practice.

Knowledge and understanding
- understand the stylistic differences between texts written to be read and texts written for oral delivery, and the implications of these differences for content development
- acquire knowledge of the main theories of multimodality, audiovisual translation and intersemiotic translation
- acquire intersemiotic translation techniques
- acquire theoretical and technical knowledge of interlingual subtitling

Applying knowledge and understanding
- carry out linguistic analysis aimed at identifying translation problems and linguistic strategies for intersemiotic translation and interlingual subtitling
- apply appropriate strategies and techniques to the intersemiotic translation of audio guides and/or video guides and to interlingual subtitling
- engage in collaborative translation practices
- use subtitling software

Making judgements
- justify and self-assess translation strategies and techniques
- carry out quality control based on existing guidelines

Communication skills
- use appropriate metalanguage when reflecting on linguistic and multimodal aspects and when evaluating the translation strategies applied
- communicate linguistic and translation-related reflections effectively
- communicate cultural heritage to specific categories of visitors

Learning skills
- critically consult the relevant bibliography
- adopt an informed and appropriate approach to the translation and adaptation of audiovisual products

- C1 level of English
- Excellent command of Italian
- Positive attitude towards group work
- Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, web search tools)

The course consists of one 30-hour semester module.

Course topics:
1. Multimodality and soundscape
2. Contrastive analysis of audio-guide scripts: Italian vs English
3. Practical intersemiotic translation activities applied to audio guides (IT>EN)
4. Theory and practice of interlingual subtitling
5. Software-assisted interlingual subtitling activities (EN>IT)

All the materials that will be uploaded on the Moodle course weekly are compulsory for exam preparation.

Compulsory readings:
- Fina, Maria Elisa. 2018. Investigating Effective Audio Guiding. A Multimodal Comparison of the Genre in Italian and English. Roma: Carocci.
Other articles will be provided during the course.

Online or printed dictionaries: free choice
Online monolingual dictionary recommended: Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

The exam consists of a written component (two assignments) followed by an oral examination (discussion):

1. Assignment 1: intersemiotic translation (IT>EN) applied to audio guides or video guides. Further details will be provided during the course;

2. Assignment 2: interlingual subtitling project (EN>IT). Further details will be provided during the course;

3. Oral examination:
- Discussion of the two assignments
- Two questions on the relevant theoretical framework.

written and oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Assignment 1: Intersemiotic translation – 10 points

a) Linguistic documentation (0–3)
0 = absent/invalid; 1 = limited or partially relevant, with inaccuracies; 2 = adequate and relevant, with some inaccuracies; 3 = relevant, accurate and effectively used to support translation decisions.

b) Cross-medium sensitivity (0–4)
0 = no adaptation; 1 = barely adequate, with limited awareness; 2 = partially adequate, with choices not always suited to medium, audience or purpose; 3 = good adaptation, generally suited to medium, audience and purpose; 4 = fully effective, with informed and coherent choices.

c) Compliance with guidelines (0–3)
0 = none; 1 = limited; 2 = partial; 3 = full.

Assignment 2: Interlingual subtitling – 10 points

a) Application of subtitling strategies (0–3)
0 = absent/largely inappropriate; 1 = limited or frequently inappropriate; 2 = generally appropriate, with some choices to improve; 3 = fully informed and effective in relation to the specific features of the audiovisual text.

b) Compliance with technical guidelines (0–3)
0 = failure/substantial failure to comply with fundamental guidelines; 1 = limited, with numerous inaccuracies; 2 = adequate, with minor inaccuracies not affecting overall quality; 3 = full and accurate.

c) Rendering of source-text meaning (0–4)
0 = significant misunderstandings/serious errors; 1 = frequently ineffective/inadequate, with numerous inaccuracies; 2 = generally adequate, with several inaccuracies; 3 = effective and appropriate, with few minor inaccuracies; 4 = fully effective, accurate and natural.

NB: A score of 0 in one or more criteria may result in failure regardless of the overall score. The project must then be redone at a subsequent exam session using a different audiovisual text.

Oral examination – 10 points

a) Discussion of translation choices and theoretical models (0–4)
0 = unable to justify choices or relate them to theoretical models; 1 = limited justification and scarce/generic/inaccurate theoretical references; 2 = adequate justification and relevant connections, with some inaccuracies; 3 = good, well-argued links between choices and models; 4 = fully informed and critical discussion, with precise links and consideration of alternatives.

b) Theoretical knowledge: two questions (0–3 each; max. 6)
0 = no/substantially incorrect answer and/or English that compromises comprehensibility; 1 = minimal/partial knowledge, with inaccuracies and limited accuracy in English/metalanguage; 2 = good knowledge, with minor inaccuracies; clear English and generally appropriate metalanguage; 3 = full and accurate knowledge; fluent, accurate English and confident use of disciplinary metalanguage.

Final grade: Assignment 1 (max. 10) + Assignment 2 (max. 10) + oral examination (max. 10).

The Italian lode (with distinction) may be awarded with a final grade of 30/30 for full command of the expected knowledge and skills, high operational autonomy, strong critical and decision-making skills, and particularly high awareness in the use of translation technologies.

IMPORTANT: Limited or no theoretical knowledge will result in failure. Assignment scores will be retained, but the theoretical-question component of the oral examination must be retaken.

The course will be delivered in blended mode: 10 classes will take place in person and 5 asynchronously via the Moodle course indicated on the course webpage. During asynchronous classes, students will log in to Moodle and complete the activities assigned for that week, but the instructor will NOT be online. The schedule of asynchronous classes will be published on Moodle at the beginning of the course.

The course will be taught mainly in English and will include both lectures and interactive sessions. To support effective learning, students are expected to participate actively in practical activities and discussions, both in class and on Moodle.
Students are advised to have access to their own well-performing computer and, where possible, to bring it to class when requested.
All students must enrol on the Moodle course and, when preparing for the exam, refer to the materials and activities uploaded each week.

The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus depending on the progress of the class and any difficulties encountered.

Important:
Regular attendance is strongly recommended. Given the complexity of the topics covered, students who are unable to attend for various reasons (Erasmus mobility, prolonged illness, work commitments, etc.) are advised to contact the instructor (mariaelisa.fina@unive.it) in good time to receive guidance aimed at reducing any disadvantages resulting from non-attendance. There is NO separate programme for non-attending students: since the course has a strong practical component, all students are required to complete all assigned activities.


FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT ASSESSMENT

To be admitted to the exam, all students must complete and submit on Moodle a number of compulsory assignments, which will be specified on the Moodle course page as the course progresses.
Both assignments may be completed in groups (maximum 4 students). In this case, the score awarded for each written assignment will be the same for all group members, while the oral-examination score will be based on each student’s individual knowledge and performance.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development