Audiovisual Translation as a Catalyst for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the MENA Region: State of the Art and Future Prospects
Submission deadline: 2023-10-31
Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,


Audiovisual Translation (AVT) has become critical in promoting diversity and inclusion in the media and entertainment industries. In an increasingly globalized world, AVT makes it possible for diverse audiences to access content in their language, thereby breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers. Subtitling, dubbing, and audio description enable viewers to fully engage with audiovisual content, regardless of their hearing or visual abilities. This makes content accessible to a broader range of people, increasing the inclusivity of the media and entertainment industries.


AVT not only facilitates access but also promotes the representation of diverse groups on screen. For example, dubbing or subtitling can represent ethnic and linguistic minorities, while audio description can make visual content accessible to visually impaired audiences. This helps to ensure that a broader range of people can see themselves represented on screen, promoting greater inclusivity and equality.


AVT also plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage, as it can help preserve and promote indigenous languages and cultures by making their content accessible to wider audiences. This helps to ensure the diversity and richness of the world's cultural heritage are preserved and celebrated while promoting greater understanding and empathy between different cultural groups.


Furthermore, AVT contributes to intercultural dialogue and understanding. Through AVT, audiences can experience diverse cultures and perspectives, leading to greater understanding and empathy for other groups. This can promote social inclusion and equality and combat prejudice and discrimination.


In conclusion, AVT has emerged as a crucial tool for promoting diversity and inclusion in the media and entertainment industries. It enables audiences to access content in their language, ensures the representation of diverse groups on screen, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes intercultural dialogue and understanding. As such, it has the potential to contribute significantly to a more inclusive and equitable society.


Relevant Themes:

1. AVT and the promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity in North Africa and the Middle East (MENA)

2. The role of AVT in promoting inclusion and social justice in the MENA region

3. Challenges and opportunities in the translation of audiovisual content in the MENA region

4. The impact of AVT on the reception of audiovisual content in the MENA region

5. Accessibility, subtitling, and audio description in the MENA region context

6. AVT and the preservation of cultural heritage in the MENA region

7. User experience and audience reception of AVT in the MENA region

8. AVT and the representation of gender and minority groups in the MENA region

9. AVT and the promotion of intercultural dialogue in the MENA region

10. AVT and the digital transformation of the audiovisual industry in the MENA region


Submission Guidelines:

· Papers must be original, not previously published, or currently under review elsewhere.

· All papers must be written in English.

· Papers should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words long, including references and appendices.

· All submissions will be subject to a double-blind peer review process.

· Authors are encouraged to follow the APA citation style.


We welcome contributions from various perspectives and disciplines, including but not limited to Translation Studies, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Linguistics, and Communication Studies.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and advancing the field of AVT in the MENA region.


Keywords

Inclusion; Accessibility; linguistic and cultural diversity; (Mis)representation; Intercultural dialogue; Minority groups and languages; National heritage; AVT and digital transformation

Published Paper