An analysis of the language of original and translated film: Dubbing into English

It is widely acknowledged that the larger European countries favour dubbing and the smaller countries – along with the UK and the USA opt for subtitling when it comes to audiovisual translation. In spite of this rather well-established scenario, this paper will investigate the almost virgin territory of dubbing into English, a practice which has not yet been scrutinized due to the unproved supposition that English-speaking audiences would not accept it. The work will proceed in two phases. First, it will explore some specific features of film dialogue in English and Italian, both as original texts and as dubbed versions. Then, it will consider the case of dubbing into English and whether this could ever become a common practice and a commercial feasibility. A case study of the translation for dubbing of the Italian short film Tutto brilla (Massimo Cappelli, 2005, Italy) will provide the vehicle for an appraisal of the professional expertise involved in creating a dubbed product of such a rare language combination.