ATA 61, Virtual Event, 2020

Sessions on audiovisual topics

Distinguished Speaker: Carme Mangiron

Carme Mangiron is a lecturer, researcher, and the director of the MA in Audiovisual Translation program at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. She has extensive experience as a translator, specializing in software and game localization. Her research interests include game localization, audiovisual translation, and accessibility to video games and the media. She has presented papers at numerous conferences, published extensively in international journals, and participated in several research projects. She is the co-author of Game Localization: Translating for the Global Digital Entertainment Industry, the first academic monograph on this topic.

Session: Game Localization: Models and Process (072)

Abstract: Game localization is recognized as key to the global success of the multibillion-dollar game industry. In this session, the main features, priorities, and restrictions of this bourgeoning modality of translation will be described. Next, the different localization models used in the industry will be presented—the in-house versus the outsourcing model, the simultaneous-shipment (sim-ship) versus the post-gold model, and the more recent crowdsourcing model—outlining the main advantages and disadvantages of each and its impact on the translator. Finally, the focus will shift to the game localization process, describing the different stages, the agents involved, and the tools used.

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Session: Game Localization: Quality Assurance and Technological Developments (082)

Abstract: This session will focus on two key issues for the game localization industry: quality assessment (QA) and technological developments. First, the QA process will be described, focusing on linguistic QA, which is essential to ensure the quality of the localized versions. The different stages of the QA process and the most common bug categories will be outlined. Secondly, recent technological developments that have a direct impact on game localization quality will be discussed, including the use of artificial intelligence for dubbing, the emergence of virtual reality, the challenges it poses for subtitling, and the increasing importance of machine translation.

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Paula Ianelli, CT

Paula Ianelli, CT has a bachelor’s degree in translation and a full diploma in conference interpreting. She is an ATA-certified English>Portuguese translator working from English and Spanish into Brazilian Portuguese. She is also certified by the Brazilian Association of Translators and Interpreters (ABRATES), where she has served as a director. She is a member of the Brazilian Association of Conference Interpreters. She is an experienced conference speaker. When she is not translating, she is either running her translation business or teaching conference interpreting at the Associação Alumni interpreting school in Brazil.

Session: From the Booth to the Screen: The Magical Combination of Closed Captioning and Simultaneous Interpreting (002)

Abstract: Have you ever seen your simultaneous interpreting delivery displayed in real time on a giant screen for thousands of people? Some lucky interpreters have, and they’ll tell you that it’s both tricky and fascinating. In this session, you’ll learn how this system works, what it’s recommended for, and what strategies interpreters should use to make sure their delivery comes through.

Lihit Velazquez

Lihit Velazquez is a Mexican freelance translator. She has a BA in translation from the Universidad Intercontinental and a BA in English literature from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. She has taught English at the School of Arts and Design at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and at the Universidad Intercontinental, where she also taught courses related to the theoretical and practical aspects of translation. She has presented papers related to non-binary pronouns at translation and linguistics congresses (Mexico and Canada).

Session: Translating Nonbinary Characters from English into Spanish (028)

Abstract: At first, translating pronouns from English into Spanish might not seem like a complicated task, but what if the text being translated refers to gender-ambiguous or nonbinary people? In this session, the speaker will highlight some examples taken from different novels where such a challenge must be faced and present diverse ways in which this situation can be solved. The speaker will also explore the reason why our decisions as translators mean so much for this particular topic.

Paul Filkin

Paul Filkin has worked with SDL since 2006. With a focus on helping SDL users get the most from their investment, he can be seen regularly on social media providing advice to anyone who needs it. He also maintains a personal blog (multifarious) addressing many of the practical issues faced by translators and translation companies when using technology for their work.

Session: Audiovisual Translation Using SDL Trados Studio (032)

Abstract: The growth in global audiovisual content is exceeding 10% per annum and is reported to be worth more than USD 2 billion per year. Tool providers stepped up to support this demand throughout 2019. This session will teach attendees how they can use SDL Trados Studio 2019 to handle work for the audiovisual localization market.

Tiina Kinnunen

Tiina Kinnunen is a Finnish professional audiovisual translator with over 30 years of experience. Her specializations include U.S. politics, documentaries, and project management (accessibility and translation in international projects). Her jobs range from translating a children’s movie script to subtitling the Oscar Gala. A co-author of the Translator’s Guide to the Industry, https://www.kaantajamestarinkirja.fi/en/home, she believes in sharing, giving back, and spreading the word of best professional practices. She is a frequent presenter at translation conferences and a guest lecturer to translation students at universities.

Session: The Invisible in Audiovisual Translation (049)

Abstract: We tend to think of audiovisual translation as the subtitles or dubbing we see on the screen. But there is a lot of unseen work behind the scenes, even before a film goes into production. International co-productions and financing create much demand for the translation of synopses, treatments, and scripts. Screenings for co-financiers often require draft subtitles, and multilingual productions need the actors’ lines translated. Accessibility issues also create new job opportunities for audiovisual translators. To highlight these hidden jobs, the speaker will discuss the process of an international co-production.

Dietlinde DuPlessis

Dietlinde DuPlessis is an audiovisual translator working from English and Spanish into German. She has subtitled movies, television shows, documentaries, trainings, corporate marketing, and featurettes. She has a master’s degree in technical translation from the University of Hildesheim in Germany.

Session: Chinese Whispers: Challenges of Pivot-Language Templates in Audiovisual Translation and How to Overcome Them (062)

Abstract: Streaming services are showing more content produced in languages other than English. Since it would be very complex to find and manage subtitle translators for every language pair, these services often resort to a pivot language approach, supplying translators with an English template derived from the original audio that they can translate into their native language without understanding the original language. The speaker will discuss some of the challenges associated with this approach and provide suggestions on how to mitigate them.

Gabriela Lemoine, CT

Gabriela Lemoine, CT is the chief executive officer of Hispano Language Advisory (HLA), a language company she founded in 2006. An ATA-certified English>Spanish translator, she has an MBA from the Universidad Católica de Córdoba. She is the founder and first president of the Argentina Association of Language Services Companies and serves as secretary for the Association of Language Companies. She presents on business and technical topics appealing to linguists and company owners, both in her home country and abroad.

Session: Translation Adaptation for Dubbing (102)

Abstract: There has been an increasing demand for audiovisual translation requests, but what are they used for? How do you approach a translation that is going to be used for dubbing? What is involved with dubbing and other related audiovisual services? What is the process for dubbing? What is a script? A draft translation? What is adaptation for synchronization? With some practice, and lots of video examples, attendees will leave this session knowing what to do when they receive their first audiovisual project.

Elena Chang

Elena Chang is a Korean linguist providing translation, interpreting, voice-over, copywriting, and directing services. She is also a cultural consultant and dialect coach who is proficient in numerous South and North Korean accents. She has completed numerous film script translations for lip-sync dubbing. She also creates subtitles and provides quality control services in English and Korean. Recent contributions include The Magnificent Seven, Little Women, Jumanji: The Next Level, The King’s Speech, 21 Bridges, Dark Waters, Black and Blue, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, MIB: International, West Side Story, Olympus Has Fallen, and Life in a Day.

Session: Translating into Hollywood: A Case Study of the Oscar-Winning Film Parasite (108)

Abstract: Parasite, by Korean writer/director Bong Joon-ho, is the first non-English-language film to win the Best Picture Oscar. Linguistically and culturally, English and Korean share little common ground. Yet this ‘very Korean film,’ as Bong describes it, strongly resonates with global audiences. It’s a universal saga of rich versus poor, but what makes Parasite unique? A crucial element of its success is the exceptional quality of its English subtitles, which enable the audience to surmount the dreaded ‘one-inch-tall barrier’ and appreciate the work on its own terms. In this session, the film’s subtitling will be analyzed and potential improvements explored.

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Britta Noack

Britta Noack was born and raised in Northern Germany and studied linguistics, literature, and media in Hamburg and Osnabrück. After receiving her MA, she discovered her love for translation and became a state-certified translator. She moved to San Diego, California, in 2002 and started working as a game localization specialist at Sony Online Entertainment. After many years, she decided to give subtitling her full attention. Her portfolio includes shows such as TheMagicians, Chicago PD, Star Trek Voyager, Ray Donovan, and movies such as Shine a Light, Diary of a Lost Girl, and many more.

Session: So You Want to be a Subtitler? (112)

Abstract: Working as a translator in the entertainment industry has become wildly popular in recent years, and many translators have found their passion in subtitling different forms of media. But where do you start and how do you get your foot in the door? This session will speak to all those who would like to get more insights on how to begin their career as a subtitler. Topics will include the dos and don’ts of the job, how to find clients, the software and training available, and how to land that first subtitling job.