A Practical Approach to Subtitling – a workshop with Dr Jorge Díaz-Cintas

ITIA CPD Event 17 September 2011 

A Practical Approach to Subtitling – a workshop with Dr Jorge Díaz-Cintas

Part 1: 11 am -12.30 pm and 12.45 pm to 2.15 pm
General Introduction to Audiovisual Translation and Subtitling

This session will start by offering an overview of the different types of translation that take
place in the audiovisual world, including accessibility to the media (i.e. subtitling for the
deaf and the hard-of-hearing and audio description for the blind and the partially sighted),
and will centre later on subtitling.

A definition of this professional practice will be offered as well as a survey of the different
types of subtitles in existence. The semiotics of subtitling, that is, the interaction between
text and images will be discussed and participants will learn about some of the issues that
constraint this particular form of translation.

We will then take a look at the different conventions applied in what is considered standard
practice in interlingual subtitling, and examples of strategies such as segmentation,
condensation and reformulation will be offered.

Towards the end of the session, there will be  time for  discussion regarding the changes
taking place in the professional world and the new audiovisual translation practices that are
cropping up in the market.


Part 2: 3.15 pm to 5.15 pm
The technical dimension of subtitling

This session centres on the technical dimension of subtitling, paying special attention to the
space and time constraints that define it. The different tasks pertaining to subtitling will be
illustrated, including spotting or cueing (i.e. deciding the in and out times of the different
subtitles) according to the limitations imposed by the medium. Concepts like safe area and
proportional lettering will also be covered.

During this session, a professional subtitling program will be demonstrated so that
participants can learn how the technical and technological dimensions of subtitling
impinge on the actual written result. An insight into the working environment will also be
presented and some time will be left at the end for questions.

A list of useful websites and other sources of information will be given to all the
participants.

Date/venue: Saturday, 17 September 2011, 11 am to 5.15 pm.
At the Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Cost: €35 ITIA members (and members of other FIT associations); €45 nonmembers; €15 students/concession.

For further details please contact Annette at: cpd.itia@gmail.com

IRISH TRANSLATORS’ AND INTERPRETERS’ ASSOCIATION

CUMANN AISTRITHEOIRÍ AGUS TEANGAIRÍ NA HÉIREANN

Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association (ITIA), 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland

T: +353 87 6738386; F: +353 1 8726282; 

E: itiasecretary@gmail.com ; www.translatorsassociation.ie