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Article published In:
Indirect Translation and Sustainable Development
Edited by Jan Buts, Hanna Pięta, Laura Ivaska and James Hadley
[Translation Spaces 12:2] 2023
► pp. 177–203
Special Issue Article

Fan indirect subtitling of Cdramas by women in Latin America and the Caribbean

A tool for the promotion of autodidacticism, global citizenship, and cultural diversity appreciation

ORCID logo | Hong Kong Baptist University
Despite its controversial status, indirect translation remains one of the most prevalent translation methods and efforts have been made to explore the positive effects of this practice. The present article aims to contribute to such endeavours by researching the potential of indirect fansubbing for the promotion of several key areas of the United Nations’ Fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The article reports on a fansubbing community consisting of Chinese to Spanish amateur subtitlers who have mobilised indirect translation to attain linguistic proficiency, translational skills and cultural literacy. Results from fieldwork and qualitative data show that indirect subtitles might enhance Spanish-speaking communities’ appreciation of foreign languages and cultures by providing access to otherwise inaccessible audiovisual products. The present research finds potential for indirect fansubbing as an autodidactic method capable of promoting a culture of lifelong learning, global citizenship, and the appreciation of cultural diversity, factors conducive to the fourth SDG.
Keywords: indirect fansubbing, indirect translation effects, Sustainable Development Goals, lifelong learning, global citizenship, cultural diversity appreciation
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Fansubs: Communities of interest, practice and learning
    • 2.2The potential impact(s) of amateur subtitling and indirect fansubbing
  • 3.Research methodology and theoretical framework
  • 4.Results and discussion
    • 4.1Respondents’ profiles and fansub organisation
    • 4.2Autodidacticism in the AK Fansub
    • 4.3Perceptions and effects of consumption
      • 4.3.1Perceptions on access and reception
      • 4.3.2Indirect fansubbing consumption effects
    • 4.4Discussion
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 27 July 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ts.22017.mor
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