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Audiovisual translation and localization A-A (Spanish-Catalan /Catalan-Spanish)

Code: 101327
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Translation and Interpreting OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Estel·la Oncins Noguer
Email :
estella.oncins@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Itziar Andujar Garcia

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

At the beginning of the subject students will be able to:
- Demonstrate that they have knowledge about the methodological principles governing translation, professional and technological issues, and translation problems of the language combination.
- Apply this knowledge to solve translation problems of scientific, technical, economic, administrative and legal specialised genres.
- Integrate knowledge to make judgments on issues related to the translation of scientific, technical, economic, administrative and legal specialised genres.
- Transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions related to the translation of scientific, technical, economic, administrative and legal specialised genres.

It is recommended to have taken the third-year Translation Technologies course to follow the Localization sessions.

For Mac users, it is recommended to have a Windows emulator to be able to use certain software that is not cross-platform.

 

Objectives

The general aim of the course is to develop the ability to solve problems of audiovisual translation and localization.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the methodological principles governing audiovisual translation and localization, as well as their professional and technological aspects.
- Apply knowledge to solve audiovisual translation problems and problems related to the localization of digital contents.
- Integrate knowledge to make judgments about issues related to audiovisual translation and localization.
- Transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions related to audiovisual translation and localization.
- Apply skills to be able to undertake, with a high degree of autonomy, future specialised studies in audiovisual translation and localization.

Learning outcomes

  1. Applying the documentation resources in order to solve translation problems: Applying the documentation resources in order to translate basic scientific, technical, economic, administrative, and legal specialised written texts.
  2. Identifying the specific translation problems of each field: Identifying the specific translation problems of each field.
  3. Incorporating cultural knowledge in order to solve translation problems: Incorporating cultural knowledge in order to solve problems of audiovisual translation and localisation.
  4. Identifying the need to mobilise topic-based knowledge in order to translate: Identifying the need to mobilise topic-based knowledge for the purpose of translating audiovisual texts and localising digital content.
  5. Implementing strategies to acquire topic-based knowledge in order to translate: Implementing strategies to acquire topic-based knowledge for the purpose of translating audiovisual texts and localising digital content.
  6. Possessing topic-based knowledge in order to translate: Possessing topic-based knowledge for the purpose of translating audiovisual texts and localising digital content.
  7. Incorporating topic-based knowledge in order to solve translation problems: Incorporating topic-based knowledge in order to solve problems of audiovisual translation and localisation.
  8. Applying technological resources in order to solve translation problems: Applying the technological resources in order to solve audiovisual and localization problems.
  9. Identifying the existing (digital and analogue) information sources in order to translate: Identifying the existing (digital and analogue) information sources for the purpose of translating audiovisual texts and localising digital content.
  10. Applying terminological resources in order to solve translation problems: Applying the terminological resources in order to solve audiovisual and localization problems.
  11. Students must demonstrate they know the different types of translation problems and errors: Students must demonstrate they know the different types of problems and errors of audiovisual translation and localisation.
  12. Students must demonstrate they know the techniques and strategies needed to solve translation problems: Students must demonstrate they know the techniques and strategies needed to solve audiovisual translation and localisation problems.
  13. Students must demonstrate they know the functioning of the translation labour market: Students must demonstrate they know the functioning of the labour market of audiovisual translation and localisation.
  14. Handling problems related to the practice of the profession of translator: Handling problems related to the practice of the profession of audiovisual translator and localisation expert.
  15. Finding the most appropriate translation solution in each case: Finding the most appropriate translation solution for each case.
  16. Appropriately following the different phases for the creation of a translation and carrying out the assigned tasks: Appropriately following the different phases for the creation of an audiovisual translation or localisation project and carrying out the assigned tasks.
  17. Using the appropriate strategies and techniques in order to solve translation problems: Using the appropriate strategies and techniques in order to solve problems of audiovisual translation and localisation.

Contents

  • The audiovisual translation industry: conditions, types of work, professional associations, etc.
  • Description of the usual assignments in the main audiovisual translation modalities.
  • Modalities (subtitling, dubbing, voice-over, videogames localization and accessibility) and audiovisual translation genres (fiction and non-fiction).
  • Resolution of comprehension problems of audiovisual texts.
  • Resolution of translation problems of fiction productions such as series, cartoons, movies, etc.
  • Critical analysis of gender representation, gender roles, and stereotypes in audiovisual texts.
  • Strategies to ensure inclusive communication through the use of gender-inclusive language and diverse representations in accessibility services (subtitling, audio description, sign language, and Easy-to-Understand communication/Easy Read).
  • Resolution of audiovisual translation problems of non-fiction productions such as documentaries, corporate videos, reports, etc.
  • Use of specific resources for audiovisual translation (technological tools, databases, parallel texts, etc.).
  • Localization industry and professional issues.
  • Description of the usual assignments in the localization industry (translation, project management, technical engineering, post-editing, quality review) and required resources.
  • Modalities of localization: online content, software, etc.
  • Resolution of localization problems in multimedia content, such as web pages.
  • Resolution of localization problems in software genres, such as user interfaces, technical documentation, etc.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Preparation of translations and other tasks 34 1.36
Exercises 12 0.48
Debates and discussions on translation issues 5 0.2
Translation tasks 33 1.32
Preparation of student portfolio and other tasks 10 0.4
Preparation of exercises 12 0.48
Documentation 20 0.8 1, 15

To achieve the established objectives, this subject involves both lectures and practical classes. Students must keep abreast of the news and information published on the Virtual Campus / Moodle or any other virtual learning environment. 

The work students carry out mainly consists of:

- Translation exercises 

- Translation projects 

- Exercises to be performed in class 

 - Individual/group presentations in class 

- Debates and discussions (in class or online) 

- Cooperative learning techniques

- Preparation of a portfolio 

 

 Learning activities are organised into three categories based on the degree of student autonomy involved:

- Directed activities: carried out according to a set timetable and in the presence of the lecturers.

 -  Supervised activities: carried out under the supervision of the lecturers.

 -  Autonomous activities: carried out by students without supervision, requiring them to organise their own time and work (either in groups or individually).

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Localization exam 20% 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Participation in sessions with experts 10% 2 0.08 2, 6, 7, 8, 9
Localization task 25% 9 0.36 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17
Audiovisual translation task 25% 9 0.36 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17
Subtitling exercise 20% 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Continuous assessment

Students must provide evidence of their progress by completing various tasks and tests. These activities are detailed in the table at the end of this section of the Study Guide.

Review

When publishing final marks prior to recording them on students' transcripts, the lecturer will provide written notification of a date and time for reviewing assessment activities. Students must arrange reviews in agreement with the lecturer.

Missed/failed assessment activities

Students may retake assessment activities they have failed or compensate for any they have missed, provided that those they have actually performed account for a minimum of 66.6% (two thirds) of the subject's final mark and that they have a weighted average mark of at least 3.5.

The lecturer will inform students of the procedure involved, in writing, when publishing final marks prior to recording them on transcripts. The lecturer may set one assignment per failed or missed assessment activity or a single assignment to cover a number of such activities. Under no circumstances may an assessment activity worth 100% of the final mark be retaken or compensated for. In case of retaking, maximum grade will be 5 (Pass).

Classification as \"not assessable\"

In the event of the assessment activities a student has performed accounting for just 25% or less of the subject's final mark, their work will be classified as \"not assessable\" on their transcript.

Misconduct in assessment activities

Students who engage in misconduct (plagiarism, copying, personation, etc.) in an assessment activity will receive a mark of “0” for the activity in question. In the case of misconduct in more than one assessment activity, the student involved will be given a final mark of “0” for the subject. Assessment activities in which irregularities have occurred (e.g. plagiarism, copying, impersonation) are excluded from recovery.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is restricted to the activities that the teaching staff will specify at the beginning of the course. The lack of transparency in the use of AI in any assessable activity will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a total penalty in the grade of the activity. The teaching staff, in case of doubts, may require a face-to-face meeting to validate the authorship.

Single assessment

This subject may be assessed under the single assessment system in accordance with the terms established in the academic regulations of the UAB and the assessment criteria of the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting.

Students must make an online request within the period established by the faculty and send a copy to the teacher responsible for the subject, for the record.

Single assessment will be carried out in person on one day during week 16 or 17 of the semester. The Academic Management Office will publish the exact date and time on the faculty website.

On the day of the single assessment, teaching staff will ask the student for identification, which should be presented as a valid identification document with a recent photograph (student card, DNI/NIE or passport).

Single assessment activities

The final grade for the subject will be calculated according to the following percentages:

Localization exam 35%

Sutitling exam 35%

Localization task 15% (delivered on the single-assessment day)

Audiovisual translation task 15% (delivered on the single-assessment day)

Grade revision and resit procedures for the subject are the same as those for continual assessment. See the section above in this study guide.

Bibliography

Bibliography on localization

  • Esselink, Bert (2000). A Practical Guide to Localization. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. (Classic reference; still worth keeping as a historical foundation.)
  • Miguel A. Jiménez-Crespo (2024). Localization in Translation: Theory and Practice. London: Routledge. (Comprehensive and currently the most up-to-date academic monograph on localisation, covering software, websites, apps, multilingual content management, and AI-supported workflows.)
  • Martín-Mor, Adrià, Sánchez-Gijón, Pilar & Piqué, Ramon (2016). Tradumàtica: Tecnologies de la traducció. Vic: Eumo Editorial.
  • Sánchez-Ramos, María del Mar & Rico, Celia (2020). Traducción automática. Conceptos clave, procesos de evaluación y técnicas de posedición. Granada: Comares.

Bibliography on audiovisual translation and accessibility

  • Díaz-Cintas, Jorge; Ramael, Aline (2021). Subtitling: Concepts and Practices (Translation Practices Explained). Londres: Routledge.
  • Mangiron, C. (2018). Game on! Burning issues in game localisation. Journal of Audiovisual Translation, 1(1), 122–138. https://doi.org/10.47476/jat.v1i1.48
  • Matamala, Anna (2019). Accessibilitat y traducció audiovisual. Vic: Eumo.
  • Oncins, E. (2022). Traducció automàtica: La tecnologia (in)visible de la traducció audiovisual. Tradumàtica: Tecnologies de la Traducció, 20, 302–311. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/tradumatica.317
  • Szarkowska, A., & Jankowska, A. (2024). Introducing Audiovisual Translation. London: Routledge.
  • Zabalbeascoa, P. (2025). Audiovisual Translation. London: Routledge.


Journals


Resources



Software

  • Subtitling tools
  • CAT tools
  • AI tools

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed