Labarta Postigo, Maria
Volume 13 Issue 1
This paper analyzes the strategies and challenges involved in the translation of English idioms in a specific domain of broadcast media. Current technology and distribution networks make it possible to watch series from around the world shortly after they are aired in their original language. Although sometimes dubbed, Internet-based TV series are often broadcast with multilingual subtitles. I will focus here specifically on idioms in subtitles translated from English into German, Norwegian, Spanish, and Portuguese. The study considers 10 comedy and drama series screened by media service providers (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Filmin).
The data will be described from a cognitive and contrastive perspective. I follow a methodology drawn from a previous article (Labarta Postigo, 2020). My main aim is to shed light on the strategies used in the translation process and to compare translation outcomes across languages. In terms of contrastive analysis, variants of the same language, such as Latin-American and European Spanish, and Brazilian and European Portuguese, have been considered.
The findings of this study are of potential use in pedagogical applications that develop learners’ cultural awareness and their understanding of figurative language in the foreign languages in question, as well as in the field of audiovisual subtitling translation.
Keywords: cultural literacy, translation
Bird, Matthew and Peter J. Rich, Stephen C. Yanchar
Volume 13 Issue 1
This report presents a review of study abroad research conducted from an ecological perspective (Kramsch, 2003; Leather & van Dam, 2003; van Lier, 2004) and identifies areas of inquiry that are lacking compared to second language acquisition and other fields (i.e., linguistics, psychology). It identifies value-based views as a high-priority area of interest and draws on frameworks in other fields to outline how language learning research could effectively describe the moral ecology of study abroad for language learning.
Keywords: language ecology, study abroad
Linares, Emily
Volume 13 Issue 1
Instructors’ Perspectives
A reflection on the importance of academic literacy socialization in foreign language education.
Keywords: academic writing, French
Blocker, Déborah
Volume 13 Issue 1
Instructors’ Perspectives
This testimony discusses an experiment in teaching French academic genres in the context of a French reading and composition class held at UC Berkeley in spring 2020. The experiment was designed and implemented in collaboration with Emily Linares. The article describes the reasons for introducing students to these genres, within a multiliteracies framework and explains which pedagogical strategies worked best in this context, and why. It also points to possible socio-political implications of the experiment, which could also prove beneficial to minority students or students from underrepresented backgrounds in American universities.
Keywords: academic writing, French
Kramsch, Claire
Volume 13 Issue 1
Kramsch reflects on her own academic background in light of Linares’ and Blocker’s papers.
Davies, Paul John
Volume 13 Issue 1
Instructors’ Perspectives
ELT in Latin America and elswehere in public schools and higher education and parts of the private sector has long been failing badly. The coronavirus pandemic should focus minds on changing that situation. Going back to TEFL business as usual should not be an option. In this article areas where radical change is needed are discussed and ideas for change proposed.
Keywords: English
Kern, Richard
Volume 13 Issue 1
This paper introduces the six articles addressing what language instructors need to know. These papers were originally presented at a BLC Forum celebrating the tenth anniversary of L2 Journal.
Keywords: knowledge base, language instructor
Navarrete, Ignacio
Volume 13 Issue 1
A reflection on language learning and teaching as a learner of French, a teacher of Spanish, and as a language department chair.
Keywords: knowledge base, language instructor
Licata, Gabriella
Volume 13 Issue 1
This paper considers the relationship between the structure of language departments and the content of the curriculum.
Keywords: knowledge base, language instructor, raciolinguistics