Abstract:

Digitization era has stimulated the spread of Information and Communication Technology, thus, inducing translators to face new challenges (Gambier, 2006, p. 2). Audiovisual translation (AVT) is actually a text type which cannot be isolated as it is an interdisciplinary subject connecting languages, technologies and cultures. New technologies, such as translation programmes, subtitling and other programmes, have a direct impact on translator‘s professionalism. The translators of AVT must be aware of the “complexity of the audiovisual production” as it determines the implemented translation strategies (Díaz Cintas, 2009, p. 7-10). The students majoring in translation studies were asked to analyse the subtitles of a particular film with the focus on rendering culture specific items (CSI) from English to Lithuanian as well as identify the translation procedure used. The results indicate that the most common translation procedure of CSIs in subtitles is preservation of content, although other translation procedures are used as well. Thus, the translation of CSI is considered to be a challenging task as it requires not only good language knowledge but also deep cultural awareness. This twofold aim may be achieved via this kind of exercises. In an intentional learning context, audiovisual translation helps students in the language acquisition process by providing them with comprehensible written input, which adds confidence and security (Krashen 1982) together improving general comprehension, vocabulary acquisition and listening comprehension as well as raising cultural awareness which, in its turn, increases the professionalism of a translator. The research results demonstrate that any mode of audiovisual translation may be helpful in raising cultural awareness in various cultures; it also deepens language knowledge. The use of audiovisual tasks in translation as well as foreign language classes may be helpful not only in raising cultural awareness of non-native culture but also expanding vocabulary, improving listening skills.

Keywords:

Language learning, audiovisual translation, culture specific items.