Corpus linguistics and Audiovisual Translation: In search of an integrated approach

This article serves as an introduction to the special issue of Perspectives: Studies in Translatology entitled ‘Corpus linguistics and Audiovisual Translation: in search of an integrated approach’. The purpose of the volume is to illustrate and discuss the use and limits (if any) of corpus-based investigation into audiovisual dialogue and audiovisual translation. This special issue also seeks to investigate the development of corpus-based approaches to AVT that are able to take into account the multiple dimensions of audiovisual translation, the technical and professional constraints that are specific to the medium, as well as the social factors affecting the translational act (e.g. target language and culture norms, self-censorship, patronage, etc.). This is achieved through seven contributions, intended to offer a wide range of perspectives on the application of corpus linguistics methodologies to different AVT modalities. As the contributions in this volume suggest, an integrated approach is needed to account for the complex semiotic fabric of audiovisual texts, their hybrid nature and multiple codes.