An analysis of the type of offensive language shift in the english-Spanish translation of breaking bad

Abstract

This paper explores the type of rude or offensive language shift in the European Spanish dubbed version (DV) of the American TV series Breaking Bad (Gilligan, 2008-13). To perform this analysis, we have used a model designed for this purpose (Pérez, 2018) in particular to analyze the different aspects which have an influence on the effectiveness of offensive language in the DV of an audio-visual product. This model collects relevant data based on examples of offensive language from a selected sample of 10 Breaking Bad chapters. Several relevant studies in audio-visual translation (AVT) have been used in the confection of this analysis and the model. For the classification of the type of offensive language in the original version (OV) we have followed the one proposed by Wajnryb (2005), while we have used a specific classification for the cases in the DV (Pérez, Huertas y Gómez, 2017). Meaningful examples of offensive language are taken from the OV as well as from the DV in Spanish in order to analyze the similarities and differences between the two versions. Once the analysis of the type of offensive language shift has been carried out, the results will show which type is the most used in both versions and if there are changes, as well as if the effectiveness and register of swearing and offensive language in the DV into Spanish has been proved to be maintained.