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Article published In:
Babel
Vol. 66:3 (2020) ► pp.365–380

English as a lingua franca (ELF) in Chinese fansubbers’ practices

With reference to Rizzoli & Isles over six seasons

| Chung Yuan Christian University

As a global phenomenon, English as a lingua franca (ELF) has been rigorously researched in many fields but completely ignored in translation studies. Based on a previous study, this study accordingly sets out to investigate the ELF phenomenon in the fansubbing culture with a specific focus on the notes and comments by fansubbers, arguing that fansubbing as a practice creates a space for dialogue between fan translators and their viewers that leads to the ‘empowerment’ of fansubbers as linguistic and cultural mediators. By examining specific screenshots of headnotes and comments by amateur translators with regard to six seasons of the TV series Rizzoli & Isles, this paper discusses background reasons for ELF applied by fansubbers, the implications of the ELF phenomenon in fansubbing culture, and the potential effects of fansubbing upon the audience in contradistinction to the effects of commercial subtitling and upon the translation profession as a whole. Finally, this article hopes to shed light on Chinese fansubbers who in fact blur the traditional distinction between professional and amateur subtitling, and concludes that the specific language practices fansubbers are engaged in show – as both fans and translators – an unlimited degree of latitude from mainstream subtitling.

Keywords: fansubbing, English as a lingua franca (ELF), headnotes and comments, translator’s interventionist tactics, Rizzoli & Isles
Article outline
  • 1.ELF as a global phenomenon
  • 2.The fansubbing phenomenon in China
  • 3.Data analysis
  • 4.Discussion and conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 4 September 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00108.lee
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