Sexuality in Audiovisual Translation: The Case of the English Dubbing and Subtitling of Supersex (2024)
摘要
Sexual terms, particularly those describing sex, bodies, and sexual functions, are often regarded as “taboo” in linguistics (Wene and Ena 2020, 75). Within audiovisual translation (AVT), swear words and taboo expressions are frequently softened through euphemisms or entirely omitted in subtitles (Díaz Cintas and Remael 2021, 189). Similarly, dubbing tends to be conservative due to performative and lip-sync constraints (Chaume 2012). Translators must consider both the expressive impact of swearing on the plot and the target audience’s acceptance of such language (Díaz Cintas and Remael 2021, 190). Nonetheless, not all expletives can be omitted, especially if they support characterisation or play a thematic role in the audiovisual product (Díaz Cintas and Remael 2021, 191). This chapter aims at undertaking a descriptive analysis of the dubbing and subtitling into English of the sexual terms present in the seven episodes of the Italian Netflix series Supersex (2024). The focus of this quantitative research is to establish what differences are present between the English subtitles and dubbing. Moreover, a qualitative analysis of the most frequently used translational strategies is undertaken, to determine whether translational norms had an impact on the representation of sexuality in the series.