Linguocultural Aspects of Audiovisual Translation: The Cartoon Series "Masha and the Bear" in the Context of English and Greek Languages
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30827/meslav.24.33049Keywords:
audiovisual translation, dubbing, cultural references, wordplay, children’s animationAbstract
This paper focuses on the linguistic and cultural features of the audiovisual translation of the Russian cartoon series Masha and the Bear into English and Greek. In the modern context of global intercultural communication, audiovisual translation (AVT) has gained particular prominence, as cartoons intended for children often contain abundant cultural references requiring adaptation to a different linguistic environment. The study addresses the theoretical foundations of audiovisual translation, emphasizing the specifics of dubbing and translation strategies that account for the age-related and cognitive characteristics of young viewers. The analysis is conducted on the first ten episodes of Masha and the Bear, where a variety of culturally marked elements – precedent phenomena (references to Soviet cosmonautics and Russian folklore), particles, puns, and occasionalisms – are identified. It is demonstrated that, in dubbing, translators frequently resort to functional substitution, omission, and adaptation, making the content more accessible to non-Russian-speaking children, yet potentially resulting in a loss of national flavor and semantic nuances crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the original. The findings highlight the necessity of a balanced approach, wherein translators strive to preserve the cartoon’s playful and comic function without overburdening the target audience with cultural and historical realities unfamiliar to them. In conclusion, the paper provides insights into compensation strategies for conveying culturally specific elements and outlines prospects for further research aimed at improving the audiovisual translation of children’s animated films.
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