Film Translation Practices in the Silent Film World

This article explores the work and modus operandi of film translators in the late silent era, with a particular focus on the Italian context. By drawing on contemporary periodicals, censorship records, production documents, and other archival materials, the study delves into the intricate and multifaceted nature of the silent film translator’s craft, which extended well beyond the translation of on-screen text. It seeks to provide evidence supporting the view that silent film translation was indeed “a holistic process” (O’Sullivan & Cornu, 2019a, p. 16), encompassing not only the translation of title cards but also other transformative practices, ranging from film re-editing to more extensive reworkings. Charlie Chaplin’s Mutual comedies serve as a case study to explore film translation practices in the silent film world. The analysis reveals that, in Italy, these films were more than simply translated – they were re-functioned and transformed by appropriation.