Neutral and emotive styles of audio description: A reception case study

Abstract

Audio Description (AD) aims to enhance accessibility and provide inclusive multimedia content for blind and visually impaired audiences. Although still emerging or developing in many locales, several AD guidelines have been established to promote better and more consistent practices. Many established guidelines recommend opting for full objectivity in AD. However, objective ADs have recently faced criticism, leading to a shift away from objectivity in certain dimensions. This study compares the reception of an objective neutral AD style with an innovative emotive style that includes added emotional details. Based on a mixed-methods design, the study included semi-structured in-depth interviews, followed by a quantitative phase using an original questionnaire. These results strongly indicate that emotive AD allows blind audiences to visualize films more effectively than when using the neutral style, akin to the experience of sighted individuals, thereby enhancing their perception of emotions. Contrary to those who emphasize objectivity and neutrality, subjective and emotive narration in emotional scenes is widely accepted by visually impaired Iranian audiences. This finding appears to underscore the need to consider revising the Audio Description: Lifelong Access for the Blind (ADLAB) guidelines.