Texts that unsettle the body and mind: Audiovisual translation and emotion as perceived by female translators

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the intrinsic and inseparable connection between mind and body, cognition and sensibility, as evidenced by excerpts from professional female translators’ narratives derived from interviews and an online survey consisting of open-ended questions about their work in translating video dubbing and subtitles for different genres, such as documentary, soap opera, and movies. Three main areas of research arise from the chosen section: how emotions are expressed in the body (Robinson, 2003, 2020), how emotions influence the translation process and decisions (Lima & Pisetta, 2023; Lima & Pimentel, 2024a), and the emotional consequences for translators and those involved in the process. Discussions about how translators perceive emotional impacts begin with ontological narratives (Baker, 2006), which confirm that translators use specific techniques when translating audiovisual materials (Perdikaki & Georgiou, 2022). Furthermore, a close reading of these narratives reveals responsibility (Derrida, 2006) and an ethical concern (Berman, 2007) to address content that causes emotional distress, and although emotions are individual experiences, they are embedded in social contexts and closely linked to shared and collective emotions (Ahmed, 2014). The article concludes by suggesting that recognizing the impact of emotions on translation could contribute to a better understanding of the translator’s role and the decision-making process in cultural, social, and political contexts.

Keywords
emotion; translation experiences; translators’ narratives; audiovisual translation