E-Thesis 49 views 8 downloads
It’s A Small World: Translating Cultural Otherness in Disney’s Classics / SEREN WALTERS
Swansea University Author: SEREN WALTERS
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PDF | E-Thesis – open access
Copyright: the author, Seren Walters, 2026. Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).
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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.71744
Abstract
Drawing on theories from Animation Studies, Translation Studies, Cultural Studies, and Audiovisual Translation Studies, this thesis presents nine case studies of the cultural portrayals in source text versions and the German and French-language dubs of a selection of Disney animated classics and the...
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Swansea
2026
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Preece, J., Williams, A. J., and Herman, G. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71744 |
| Abstract: |
Drawing on theories from Animation Studies, Translation Studies, Cultural Studies, and Audiovisual Translation Studies, this thesis presents nine case studies of the cultural portrayals in source text versions and the German and French-language dubs of a selection of Disney animated classics and their live-action remakes. Han's (2022) understanding of hyperculture is incorporated into the analysis of cultural representation in Disney films and their translations. This thesis provides an overview of the translation strategies for Disney's culture-specific references, foreign language, accent, and dialect, examining to what extent and in which ways these cultural representations are mediated for international audiences, contributing to understandings of the negotiation of cultural identities through mass media. It becomes clear that the dubs often engage in domesticating processes for source and target culture references, while their portrayals of third cultures rarely differ from those in the source texts. Frequently the Québécois dubs present audiences with portrayals that closely follow those in the ST, whereas the French and German dubs make considerably more modifications to culture-specific references. Completed years after the animated films’ releases, Disney’s live-action remakes provide us with a telling insight into the Studio’s changing approaches to cultural representation following widespread social movements such as Black Lives Matter. Growing awareness and shifts in values impact Disney’s screen products with further implications for wider society. |
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| Keywords: |
animation, audiovisual translation, culture-specific references, Disney, dubbing, hyperculture |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |