Teaching video game localisation in audiovisual translation courses at university

Abstract

In the current globalised market context, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in audiovisual translation (AVT) in Europe are incorporating new subjects to try to meet the requirements of a more than ever demanding and specialised market. The aim: to prepare translator trainees at universities to face the challenges posed by the professional world in this field. One of these subjects is Video Game Localisation. This paper aims to set the grounds for teaching Video Game Localisation at higher education institutions. Drawing on a previous study on AVT teaching (Chaume, 2003) and a parallel effort for teaching advertising translation (Chaume and Martí forthcoming), profiles for both students and lecturers of this subject are defined. Then, we will focus on the teaching objectives and learning outcomes, the teaching methods available, the characteristics of the materials to be used, and the bibliography used. A final word is also briefly devoted to assessment issues. As a result, a didactic proposal for a Video Game Localisation course for translators is presented.