Multimodal impoliteness in subtitling
The (re)-making of form, meaning and function in context
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12184286 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Chun Liu (0000-0002-4855-020X, SOAS University of London) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 1-22 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-21 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Perspectives (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0907-676X • E-ISSN: 1747-6623 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0907676x.2026.2614459 |
| OpenAlex | W7125163555 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 33 |
This article proposes a framework for comparing multimodal impoliteness in the source text (ST) and its rendition in the target text (TT). It begins by outlining the importance of examining the subtitling of multimodal impoliteness and discussing related research. It then formulates the framework by integrating a social semiotic approach to translation with (im)politeness models, while taking into account both immediate and broader prior contexts, as well as the perspectives of conversational partners. The framework considers the rendition of three interconnected dimensions: impoliteness-related forms (modes and their intermodal relations), meanings (e.g. face, sociality rights, identity, and emotion involving self and other), and functions (e.g. humor). The methodology followed provides procedures for identifying multimodal impoliteness in the ST, analyzing subtitles, and examining impoliteness rendition across the three dimensions. A subsequent framework-driven qualitative analysis of two sequences from the Chinese fansubbed version of the American sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020) shows how relations between the subtitle and other modes, along with translation techniques, influence the rendition of impoliteness-related forms, meanings, and functions. The analysis also demonstrates insights can be obtained through considering contexts alongside the addresser’s and recipient’s stances. The article concludes by highlighting the framework’s contributions to translation research and practice.
Context (archaeology · Function (biology · Meaning (existential · Term (time · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Subtitles and Audiovisual Media · Translation Studies and Practices
Chapter 2. Reflections on impoliteness, relational work and power
Chapter 1. Introduction
Analyzing Multimodal Interaction
Impoliteness in Interaction
Impoliteness
Conflict, arousal, and curiosity.
Audiovisual Translation
A Two-Stage Model for the Appreciation of Jokes and Cartoons
Multimodal im/politeness
Translating culture-specific items in films
More than words
In support of creative subtitling
The translation of multimodal texts
Politeness Theory and Relational Work
Identity and interaction
Managing rapport in talk
Translation Techniques Revisited
Moments of relational work in English fan translations of Korean TV drama
The role of emotions in relational work
Text and context in translation
Towards an anatomy of impoliteness
"You talking to me?" The viewer as a ratified listener to film discourse
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |