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Article published In: Babel
Vol. 70:6 (2024) ► pp.759–782

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Rendition of non-verbal acoustic elements for film audiences with hearing impairments

ORCiD logo with link | Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
 | Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
 | Binghamton University
Published online: 22 November 2024
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.24088.aha
Abstract
The issue of media accessibility for d/Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) viewers holds particular importance in advanced societies, leading to exponential growth in research within the field of subtitling for the d/Deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). However, limited research has been conducted on media accessibility, especially SDH, resulting in a relatively brief history of SDH and its quality within Iran. This research aims to determine how non-verbal acoustic elements have been rendered in subtitle versions of films intended for DHH audiences. Five drama feature films were purposefully selected from the Filimo platform, the largest video-on-demand (VOD) service in Iran. The study reveals that various strategies were employed in the SDH versions of the films, and inconsistencies were identified in the presentation methods throughout the films. However, some strategies conforming to international SDH conventions were identified within the SDH versions of the films. The study underscores the necessity for further research in this field to enhance the professional standards for producing appropriate SDH in Iran.
Résumé
La question de l’accessibilité des médias pour les téléspectateurs sourds et malentendants (SM) revêt une importance particulière dans les sociétés avancées, entraînant une croissance exponentielle des recherches dans le domaine du sous-titrage pour sourds et malentendants (SSM). Cependant, peu de recherches ont été menées sur l’accessibilité des médias en Iran, notamment sur le SSM, ce qui a conduit à une histoire relativement brève du SSM et de sa qualité dans ce pays. Cette recherche vise à déterminer comment les éléments acoustiques non verbaux ont été rendus dans les versions sous-titrées des films destinés aux publics SM. Cinq films dramatiques de long métrage ont été sélectionnés délibérément sur la plateforme Filimo, le plus grand service de vidéo à la demande (VOD) en Iran. L’étude révèle que diverses stratégies ont été employées dans les versions SSM des films et que des incohérences dans les méthodes de présentation ont été identifiées tout au long des films. Cependant, certaines stratégies conformes aux conventions internationales de SSM ont été observées dans les versions sous-titrées. L’étude souligne la nécessité de recherches supplémentaires dans ce domaine pour améliorer les normes professionnelles de production de SSM en Iran.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Media accessibility
    • 2.2SDH-based accessibility
    • 2.3Non-verbal acoustic elements
      • 2.3.1Character identification
      • 2.3.2Paralinguistic features
      • 2.3.3Description of sounds and music
    • 2.4Empirical research
  • 3.Method
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1No date, No signature (2017)
    • 4.2Swear (2019)
    • 4.3Castle of dreams (2019)
    • 4.4Rage and pandemonium (2015)
    • 4.5About elly (2009)
  • 5.Discussion
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Referencias
  • Filmography
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Filmography
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