Multimodality and Intersemiotic Translation

The chapter provides a series of examples designed to confirm how multimodality can be considered a “defining feature of audiovisual translation”. Ranging from a consideration of the traditional vehicles of audiovisual translation (AVT) (dubbing, subtitling, voice-over) and how these are beginning to involve the whole range of semiosis contained in audiovisual (AV) products, this chapter goes on to cover the role of multimodality in the “intersemiotic” translation approach required in providing access to the sensorially disabled. Audio description, translating from the visual to the verbal for the benefit of people with sight loss, providing access for both screen products and areas such as museum visits and live performances, and subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing are thus analysed as prime instances of intersemiotic translation.