BOOK REVIEW: Reverter Oliver, B., Martínez Sierra. J.J., González Pastor, D. & Carrero Martín, J. F. (Eds.) (2021). Modalidades de traducción audiovisual: Completando el espectro. Editorial Comares.

Abstract

In their Spanish-language academic book Modalidades de traducción audiovisual: Completando el espectro, (Modalities of Audiovisual Translation: Completing the Spectrum) the four editors have explored the field of audiovisual translation through different trends related to the new technologies and new ways of consuming audiovisual products. Due to the exponential growth of audiovisual translation in multilingual contexts, this volume is targeted at professionals and academics who are interested in recent research and the professional strategies followed in this field.

Although the book is about multilingual translation, we can see similarities with professional reporting and transcription, since in both fields the professionals must adapt to the different contexts, limitations and characteristics found in materials, and to different audiences. Each chapter of the book focuses on a specific type of audiovisual translation as applied in different contexts. In this review, I will analyse the types and fields of audiovisual translation discussed in the book, chapter by chapter. I will also highlight their relevance to intralingual reporting and transcription.

The book starts with the most popular types of audiovisual translation: dubbing, which relates to the translation of dialogue and oral interventions by characters in audiovisual products, and subtitling, which is the translation from the oral of dialogue into written text. The chapters focus on the less-known practices that complete the current spectrum of knowledge. The introduction to the volume provides a review of audiovisual translation studies and their evolution over time, which could be useful for professionals interested in making a start in audiovisual translation. This way, the reader has context to truly understand the impact and importance of each chapter’s domain.