From Script to Screen: Analyzing the English subtitle of an Arabic Film

Abstract

Today, movies are considered one of the most important entertainment factors worldwide, and subtitles are important for films. Subtitles are considered the most important factors that convey film messages to different people from different types of countries around the world, whether the film is Spanish, Arabic, or French. As long as it is subtitled into the mother tongue language of the viewers, the film’s message will be conveyed successfully. Cinema did not take off in Saudi Arabia until recently, so there are still some difficulties and mistakes when translating an Arabic-language film into English. This research delves into the translation strategies employed in the English subtitles of the Saudi Arabian movie "Scales." It aims to determine whether Mona Baker's strategies are applied to the subtitles of the film and to evaluate this translation based on these strategies. Also, the research suggests translations that may also be appropriate and may be a better option or a lower quality option than the subtitle in the film. Both the original translation and the suggested translation are analyzed. and whether they fit the context of the film. The findings of this analysis contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in audiovisual translation and offer insights into enhancing the quality and fidelity of cross-cultural cinematic experiences.