Veed.AI Arabic subtitling of English taboo expressions in the movie <i>The Wolf of WallStreet</i>

Abstract This study investigates Veed-AI’s Arabic subtitles of English taboo expressions in the movie The Wolf of Wall Street . Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative analyses, the study examines the accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and effectiveness of subtitling procedures. The quantitative analysis involves categorizing and quantifying the frequency of different types of taboo expressions: sexual, scatological, and religious, along with their relevant translation procedures. The findings show that Veed-AI mainly employs understatement and omission as euphemistic strategies to convey the meaning and tone of the source text. However, while understatement falters in several instances regarding language fluency, omission compromises the discursive emphatic function of taboo expressions and adversely affects the flow of discourse. Additionally, Veed-AI presents some cases of incomprehensible transliteration and several instances of inappropriate literal translation due to a lack of contextual comprehension, resulting in subtitles that often lack cultural resonance or contextual accuracy.