Evaluating Translation Strategies in Arabic Dubbing: A Functionalist Analysis of Arms and the Man
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1511.26Keywords:
audiovisual, dubbing, substitution, strategies, synchronizationAbstract
This study explores the translation strategies employed in the Arabic dubbing of George Bernard Shaw’s play Arms and the Man, focusing on the interplay between semantic fidelity, cultural relevance, and lip-sync accuracy. Dubbing, as a core form of audiovisual translation, requires more than linguistic precision—it demands cultural sensitivity and technical synchronization to ensure that meaning is not lost in translation. The research analyzes ten selected phrases from the dubbed Arabic version of the play, categorizing them according to four main strategies: literal translation, interpretive translation, omission, and substitution. Each method was evaluated based on three criteria: semantic accuracy, cultural adaptability, and synchronization with lip movements and facial expressions. The findings reveal that substitution was the most effective technique in achieving cultural relevance and contextual appropriateness, followed by omission, which supported time synchronization. Literal translation, while semantically accurate, often lacked cultural nuance and presented synchronization challenges. Interpretive translation struck a balance by maintaining intended meaning within a culturally coherent framework. The study contributes to the field of audiovisual translation by demonstrating the importance of balancing linguistic accuracy with cultural and technical requirements, offering helpful tips to practitioners and scholars of Arabic dubbing.
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