AVT for the Blind
and Partially
Sighted:
Audio Description,
An Indispensable
Access Mode
Saint Petersburg State University
of Spatial Instrumentation
August 22nd-24th, 2016
Floriane Bardini
University of Vic
(SPAIN)
Audio description (AD) : an
overview
/
(TK)
What is Audio Description?
Audio description is an assistive service which turns
the visual into verbal to provide access for the blind
and partially sighted audience.
Audio description (AD) offers a verbal description of
the relevant (visual) components of a work of art or
media product, so that blind and visually impaired
patrons can fully grasp its form and content. (Remael
et al. 2015)
Audio description is a form of intersemiotic
translation.
Audio Description History
The beginnings:
- Invented by Gregory Frazier in the US in 1975
- Starts mainly with scenic arts
- TV/cinema projects in the late 80s in Europe
Disparities in developments across EU since
then; UK has greatest offer
2007: European directive, new boost in all EU
countries
How is Audio Description done?
A descriptive text (description/narration/
explanation) is inserted in the dialogue gaps or
between important sound effects.
AD scripts are prepared by a describer or
describer team that may include one blind or
partially sighted member. The voicing may be
done by the describer or by a professional voice
talent.
Essential information is given on the where/
when/ who/ what/ how of the action and more
accurate depiction if time allows.
Audio Description in practice
Different AD practices
Recorded AD
Live AD
Audio introductions
Audio guides
for different situations and materials:
Broadcast media (TV, DVD, cinema)
Scenic arts (opera, ballet, theatre)
Other live events (sport, etc.)
Museums and sites
Audio Description in Russia
Beginnings in USSR: radio plays from 1935 to 1991
Revival from 2004, e.g.:
Perspektiva film festival Breaking down barriers
2014 Sochi Experiment
Audio Description Research:
Main Topics
AD Guidelines
AD Research topics (1)
Descriptive research: AD script analysis from
different perspectives (textual; linguistic; etc.)
Research into AD teaching and practice
(competences; modalities; etc.)
User oriented research (reception studies; eyetracking studies; etc.)
Research into AD critical points (cultural
elements; cinematic language; etc.)
AD Research topics (2)
Research into accessible film making and
design for all
Research into AD translation
Research into technology (apps, TTS, etc.)
Keywords for the future: multimodality and
interdisciplinarity
AD Guidelines
Pioneer guidelines
ITC (Ofcom), 2000, UK
Dosch & Benecke, 2004, Wenn aus Bilder
Wrter werden, Germany
AENOR AD norm, 2005, Spain
Recent guidelines
Remael et al.,2015. Picture painted in words. The
ADLAB audio description guidelines.
Louise Fryer, 2016. An Introduction to Audio
Description. A practical Guide.
An example of research and
practice approach:
AD strategies
AD Strategies: an overview
AD = intersemiotic translation AD strategies based
on translation strategies (Molina & Hurtado 2002)
Functional approach
14 AD strategies (Bardini 2013) related to:
Degree of informativity: amplification, reduction,
particularisation, generalisation
Degree of interpretation: technical description,
integral iconic description, iconic description; cognitive
description, narrative description; substitution
Degree of fidelity: adaptation, compensation,
variation, modulation
AD Strategies: example 1 / Cinematic
language
Slumdog Millionaire, D. Boyle,2008
AD Strategies: example 1 / Cinematic
language
Slumdog Millionaire, D. Boyle, 2008
AD Strategies: example 1 / Cinematic
language
Slumdog Millionaire, D. Boyle, 2008
TCR 00:21:50 - 00:22:00
Back to reality
EN Present day. Jamal sits on the studio stage opposite iconic
the host.
description
DE
Im Studio. Abwesend betrachtet Jamal die applaudierenden Zuschauer.
Er lst sich aus seinen Gedanken.
In the TV studio. Jamal absently looks at the applauding
audience. He comes back from his thoughts.
cognitive
description
AD Strategies: example 2 / Cultural elements
Opening scene / Masha and the
Bears first episode, 2009 (with AD on Netflix)
AD Strategies: example 2 / Cultural elements
Opening scene / Masha and the
Bears first episode, 2009 (with AD on Netflix)
AD Strategies: example 2 / Cultural elements
Opening scene / Masha and the
Bears first episode, 2009 (with AD on Netflix)
Strategies:
- Particularisation: description of a specific item
- Amplification: name and (short) description
Effects:
- Situate the viewer in foreign culture
- Signal a culture specific element
AD Strategies: example 3 / Cultural elements
Masha and the Bears episode 3, 2009: , ,
! , ! One, two, three! Light the
Christmas tree!
AD Strategies: example 3 / Cultural elements
Masha and the Bears episode 3, 2009: , ,
! , ! One, two, three! Light the
Christmas tree!
AD Strategies: example 3 / Cultural elements
Masha and the Bears episode 3, 2009: , ,
! , ! One, two, three! Light the
Christmas tree!
Strategies:
- Iconic description
Effects:
- Loss of cultural reference to
Ded Moroz and
Snegurochka
Thank you for your attention
