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Article published In: Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada/Spanish Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 34:1 (2021) ► pp.201–225

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Translating the gay identity in audiovisual media

The case of Will & Grace

ORCiD logo with link | Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Published online: 22 July 2021
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/resla.19006.ple
Abstract
In this study we analyse different linguistic elements in the TV series Will & Grace that shape the gay identity of the main characters of the show. We will base the analysis on the inclusion of the cultural turn into the field of audiovisual translation studies and on the technical time and space constraints that may emerge when conveying the message in this type of texts. Therefore, we will focus on the treatment of cultural references associated to the LGBTQI community that are shown on the series, as well as the linguistic variant of gayspeak and the comic elements included in the dialogues in order to observe whether the information that viewers of the Spanish dubbed version receive regarding gay identity is the same that is portrayed in the original version in English.
Resumen
La traducción de la identidad gay en los medios audiovisuales: El caso de Will & Grace
En la presente investigación proponemos el estudio de diferentes elementos lingüísticos en la serie Will & Grace que contribuyen a perfilar la identidad gay de los personajes principales de este producto televisivo. Llevaremos a cabo dicho análisis partiendo de la incorporación del giro cultural en los estudios de traducción audiovisual por las limitaciones técnicas de tiempo y espacio que pueden surgir al transmitir un mensaje en este tipo de textos. De este modo, estudiaremos el tratamiento de los referentes culturales vinculados a la comunidad gay que aparecen en la serie, así como la variante lingüística del gayspeak y los elementos de humor que se incluyen en los diálogos para comprobar si la información que recibe el espectador a través del doblaje al español sobre la identidad gay es la misma que la que trasmite la versión original en inglés.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction: The integration of the cultural turn into audiovisual translation studies
  • 2.Gender and LGBT representation in audiovisual translation
  • 3.Will & Grace (1998–2006)
  • 4.The use of gayspeak in Will & Grace
  • 5.The treatment of cultural references in Will & Grace
  • 6.Instances of humour in Will & Grace
  • 7.Conclusions
  • Note
  • References
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Bogucki, Łukasz
2024. Constructing the Other: Linguistically Manifested Otherness in Audiovisual Translation. In The Palgrave Handbook of Multilingualism and Language Varieties on Screen, ► pp. 33 ff. DOI logo

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