Multimodal Translation with the Blind

The project studies translating from the perspective of collaboration and multimodal interaction. As a case in point is the process of audio description in which a team of sighted and blind describers creates a verbal translation of a film for the benefit of visually impaired audience. The project renders new insight into translation processes and interaction by analysing how translations are created interactively and multimodally. It investigates the use of spoken and bodily resources in displaying and sharing translation strategies and solutions as well as the non-sighted describers' use of the soundtrack and the sighted describers' speech in interpreting the film. The main data are video recordings from authentic audio description processes in various countries. The project's results produce new knowledge of translating and interaction and help to identify visually impaired persons' expertise in multimodal tasks, which can be applied to foster diversity at workplace.