Abstract:
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Spanish subtitles for concerts have received very little attention from translators and
producers. The spectator should have the option of watching a concert, either
broadcasted on TV or on DVD, with translated subtitles on screen. The problem is that
there are neither manuals nor systematic solutions to be applied in every case, since two
types of translation converge here along with somewhat contradictory principles:
audiovisual and literary translation. The aim of the present paper is to find what the
most common mistakes at subtitling are and what options must prevail in case that one
rules out the other. In order to reach this goal, we analyze the subtitles of two concerts
broadcasted on Spanish TV channels by the Canadian poet and folk singer Leonard
Cohen (1934-2016). In addition to being one of our personal references in modern
literature, we think that Cohen’s lyrics show a true command of registers (formal, slang)
and communication levels (speaking plainly, talking around), and thus it is this variety
that we seek for this purpose. To complete our theoretical framework, reliable sources
that deal with subtitling have been gathered, contextualized for this type of audiovisual
product, questioned or even modified. We then review the subtitles produced by the TV
companies TVE and TVC and introduce our corrections according to the work we have
developed. Finally, this paper should motivate an argument that subtitles in concerts are
a great, uncharted challenge for translators to deal with, as well as for the new market it
might create. |