ABSTRACT
Dubbing, the process whereby the original dialogue track of an audiovisual text is replaced with a re-recorded version in the target language, has been practised for many years all over the world. From a semiotic perspective, dubbing is an example of ‘isosemiotic’ translation, where information is conveyed via the same semiotic channels in the source and target texts (Gottlieb 2005: 4). This chapter examines how dubbing has developed since it was first conceived and used, following the advent of sound in film, and is structured around three main sections. After outlining a brief history of dubbing, it moves on to deliver an overview of established research issues in dubbing studies, including the research methods used under each strand, and an account of the influence of technology on dubbing practice and scholarship. The third section focuses on future trajectories for dubbing studies and draws attention to new debates coalescing around those emerging scholarly trends.
