Explicitation Versus Reduction of Target Text in Audiovisual Voice-Over Translation

The article describes a preliminary study conducted as part of a broader project regarding the phenomenon of explicitation in audiovisual translation. Following a brief theoretical introduction on the determinants of voiceover modality in audiovisual translation and selected issues in the field of explicitation, the article presents the results of an analysis of the explicitation surface manifestations according to the taxonomy proposed by Perego (2003), based on the reasons for its emergence (i.e., as a result of cultural differences, lexicalization of non--verbal content, or the need to reduce the target text). Analysis of the cited examples illustrates the most commonly used techniques enabling text reduction while emphasizing certain content, and answers the research questions posed at the outset, i.e. Does explicitation occur in the voice-over modality of translation despite probable reduction of the text? If it does occur - what are its surface manifestations and which of these are dominant?