SUBTITLING VS DUBBING: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN FILM TRANSLATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55640/Keywords:
Subtitling, Dubbing, Film Translation, Audiovisual Translation, Uzbekistan, Cross-cultural Communication, Viewer Reception, Language Policy, Translation Strategies, Localization.Abstract
Film translation plays a crucial role in cross-cultural communication, making audiovisual content accessible to audiences worldwide. Among the dominant strategies used to translate films are subtitling and dubbing—each with distinct linguistic, technical, and cultural implications. This paper provides a comparative study of subtitling and dubbing, focusing on their respective translation processes, challenges, and the impact on viewer reception. Subtitling preserves the original audio and offers concise written translations, demanding high levels of condensation and synchronization. Dubbing, on the other hand, replaces the source language audio with a target language voice track, aiming for natural speech patterns and lip-sync accuracy. The study investigates how these modes shape meaning, viewer engagement, and cultural fidelity. Drawing from scholarly sources in translation studies and audiovisual media, the paper critically examines when and why each method is preferred, and how these choices affect the perception of foreign films. Ultimately, the paper underscores that the selection between subtitling and dubbing is not merely a technical decision but one deeply rooted in cultural, economic, and linguistic contexts.
References
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[^7]: Karimov, S. (2021). “Digital Media and Youth Language Learning in Uzbekistan.” Central Asian Journal of Media Studies, 3(1), 45–58.
[^8]: Perego, E., Del Missier, F., Porta, M., & Mosconi, M. (2010). “The Cognitive Effects of Subtitle Processing.” Media Psychology, 13(2), 243–272.
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[^10]: Chaume, F. (2012). Audiovisual Translation: Dubbing. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing; Díaz Cintas, J., & Remael, A. (2007). Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling.
[^11]: Perego, E., Del Missier, F., Porta, M., & Mosconi, M. (2010). “The Cognitive Effects of Subtitle Processing.” Media Psychology, 13(2), 243–272.
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