What type of study is this?

September 10, 2025

Navigating Linguistic and Cultural Challenges in Audiovisual Translation: Arabic Subtitling of "Exodus: Gods and Kings" as a Case Study

Key Points

Original subtitles sometimes missed cultural nuances, while machine translations improved understanding.
Comparative analysis showed that cultural context and idiomatic expressions are crucial in translation.
Subtitles generated by machine translation demonstrated better cultural sensitivity than original ones.
Findings emphasize the importance of addressing both cultural and contextual elements in audiovisual translation.

Abstract

This study focuses on the subtitling challenges of Exodus: Gods and Kings. It addresses the issue because translation, along with cultural gaps, could affect the understanding of viewers from different backgrounds. The study aims to evaluate the idiomatic language, accuracy concerning culture, and other pertinent elements in the film’s dialogue by comparing its Arabic subtitles to those produced through automated machine translation (QuillBot Premium). The analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness and precision of meaning, interpretation, and intention, including the traditions embedded within the language. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of original Arabic subtitles and those generated by machine translation (QuillBot Premium). The film's excerpts revolve around the target culture, idiomatic language, words that require contextual information for understanding, and other culturally loaded elements. The data is organized in tables to facilitate a juxtaposed comparison of all versions, focusing on critical translation issues. The examination brought out key discrepancies between the original and generated subtitles. While the original subtitles tended to ignore culture and idioms, they at times captured literal meanings. To some extent, alternative subtitles were better than the original ones since they showed more effort in appreciating culture and language and enhanced understanding and cultural sensitivity. Findings have revealed that translators need to pay close attention to both context and culture in their translation work in audiovisual media. The results serve audiovisual translation by calling attention to how the translators strive for imprecision through excessive culturally relative revisions or too much loyalty to adaptation. It has recommended practical ways of refining Arabic subtitling approaches through film translations so that viewers’ expectations are met fully at all levels.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay