Exploring audiovisual translation: from Arabic to Italian

How do you bring a film, TV series or documentary to life in another language? Students explored the answer during an intensive subtitling workshop organised by the Arabic Cultural Institute.

Led by Dr Marianna Massa, the workshop offered participants a hands-on introduction to audiovisual translation, allowing them to work through the different stages of subtitling, from translating dialogue to adapting and synchronising subtitles with on-screen content.

Through practical exercises, students explored the challenges that make audiovisual translation a unique discipline. They worked on finding the right balance between accuracy and readability, adapting dialogue to limited screen space, respecting reading speeds, and preserving the rhythm and meaning of the original conversation.

Designed for intermediate and advanced Arabic language students, the workshop provided an opportunity to put their language skills into practice while gaining insight into a potential career path in translation. By engaging directly with subtitling tasks, participants developed a better understanding of the linguistic and technical skills required in the field and experienced first-hand the challenges of translating audiovisual content across languages and cultures.

The workshop offered a valuable opportunity to connect language learning with practical experience and explore new professional possibilities in the world of audiovisual translation.