Modules | Department of Languages, Cultures and Film

Modern Languages and Cultures

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.

Title	AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION
Code	HLAC507
Coordinator	Dr R Biasini Languages, Cultures and Film Rosalba.Biasini@liverpool.ac.uk
Year	CATS Level	Semester	CATS Value
Session 2025-26	Level 7 FHEQ	Second Semester	15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

Co-requisite modules:

Teaching Schedule

	Lectures	Seminars	Tutorials	Lab Practicals	Fieldwork Placement	Other	TOTAL
Study Hours	6	12	1			4	23
Timetable (if known)
Private Study							127
TOTAL HOURS							150

Assessment
EXAM	Duration	Timing (Semester)	% of final mark	Resit/resubmission opportunity	Penalty for late submission	Notes

CONTINUOUS	Duration	Timing (Semester)	% of final mark	Resit/resubmission opportunity	Penalty for late submission	Notes
90 minutes class test (1-min clip to subtitle and 300 words reflection) Standard UoL penalties will apply. There will be a resit opportunity. This cannot be marked anonymously.	0		30
4-5 minute clips to be subtitled + 1500 words commentary Standard UoL penalties will apply. There will be a resit opportunity. This cannot be marked anonymously.	0		70

Aims

Develop nuanced understanding of and sensitivity to the technical restrictions, audience needs, practical considerations and professional standards of subtitling across a variety of audiovisual genres and settings;

Develop the ability to justify various translation choices, decisions and strategies and critically evaluate the quality of the subtitling product.

Learning Outcomes
(LO1) Gain practice in the processes of audiovisual translation with a focus on subtitling.
(LO2) Handle subtitling programmes and software.
(LO3) Solve translation (intra/inter-linguistic) difficulties in subtitling and justify decisions taken.
(LO4) Produce translations (intra/inter-linguistic) for subtitling that fulfil the industry’s professional standards.
(LO5) Become familiar with audiovisual translation theories as well as practices.
(S1) Translate (intra/inter-linguistically) and make accessible audiovisual products, also via the use of specific programmes and software.
(S2) Apply relevant methodologies, techniques, and standards to create innovative proposals in professional practice and in research in the field of audiovisual translation.
(S3) Understand the different modes and textual genres of audiovisual translation and media accessibility and their characteristics.
(S4) Recognise the translation issues (in both intra/inter-linguistic contexts) specific to the different modes of audiovisual products and use the knowledge acquired to solve them.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The majority of teaching will be delivered face-to-face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on-campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.

Lecture
The 6 lectures (non-language specific) will be one-hour long and delivered by staff from Translation Studies and Film Studies.

Workshop
Two two-hour practical and non-language specific workshops.

Seminar
Six two-hour language specific seminars.

Tutorial
One 1-hour tutorial for consolidation and revision.

Syllabus

Topics covered may include:

Overview of audiovisual translation history and geographical/national differences;

Subtitling;

Dubbing;

Multilingual films;

On-demand platforms such as Netflix;

Fansubbing.

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.