More than words: a multimodal analytical framework for studying the subtitling of swearwords

Lu, Siwen

doi:10.1080/0907676x.2023.2268126

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…However, in this reception study, the empirical data allow me to state that discomfort with reading subtitles arises when participants realize that the swear word has been softened in the subtitle and its offensive load has significantly distanced itself from the context of the scene and the English dialogue. Consequently, the intensity of the translated swear word strays from the elements of cinematic language, which does not align with Lu's (2024) analytical proposal. In turn, it can result in a breach of the contract of illusion in subtitling.…”

Section: Acceptability Of Softened Swear Words In Subtitlingmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Among the studies within the scope of linguistic taboos, I chose the terms swearing (Beers Fägersten 2012; Mohr 2013;Stapleton et al 2022) and swear words (Arango 1991;Dewaele 2004;Güvendir 2015;Lu 2024) to use in this pilot study. Like Hjort (2017, p. 164), I assume that "swear word and swearing are typically defined along the same lines".…”

Section: Swearing and Swear Wordsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, based on the analysis of data from G1, it appears that the acceptability of softened swear words in subtitling is lower compared to the other groups studied in this pilot research. In Lu's (2024) study, it is presented that various elements of cinematic language, beyond verbal cues, play a role in comprehending scenes where swear words are omitted or softened. These elements include body language, tone, and volume of speech, as well as character behavior, among others.…”

Section: Acceptability Of Softened Swear Words In Subtitlingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These elements include body language, tone, and volume of speech, as well as character behavior, among others. For the author, the analysis of the swearing in subtitling should shift its focus away from what is lost in the target text and instead consider the contributions of various elements across different modes and their intermodal relations (Lu 2024). However, in this reception study, the empirical data allow me to state that discomfort with reading subtitles arises when participants realize that the swear word has been softened in the subtitle and its offensive load has significantly distanced itself from the context of the scene and the English dialogue.…”

Section: Acceptability Of Softened Swear Words In Subtitlingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Subtitling of Swearing: A Pilot Reception Study

Moura

2024

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Reception studies in audiovisual translation seek to explore how translation choices affect the audience’s comprehension, emotional engagement, enjoyment, and overall viewing experience of audiovisual materials. This study focuses on the subtitling product and analyzes the acceptability of swear words translated through different stimuli: subtitles with softened, maintained, and intensified swearing, along with standard Netflix subtitles (control). Employing a multi-method approach, the study collected data through a survey, using questionnaires with a Likert scale and interviews, following the user-centered translation model to understand how participants receive and perceive swear words in subtitling. The results indicate that the control group had the highest acceptability of the participants, while the group with softened swear words presented the lowest acceptability rate. The analysis shows that participants across all groups reported that discomfort does not arise from reading the swear word in the subtitle but from perceiving a deliberate change in its offensive load—usually softened. The findings demonstrate that this change can lead to a breach of the contract of illusion in subtitling, as participants are exposed to the original dialogue and the translated subtitle simultaneously. In conclusion, when perceived, the change in the offensive load can redirect the viewer’s focus from the video to the subtitles, negatively affecting the enjoyment of the audiovisual experience.

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Section: Acceptability Of Softened Swear Words In Subtitlingmentioning

confidence: 88%