Breaking the Rules, One Subtitle at a Time: A Comparative Analysis of Discrepancies between Theory and Practice in Professional Subtitling and Captioning

Abstract

Subtitling has increasingly become a central mode of audiovisual translation, particularly with the rise of streaming platforms as the predominant medium for global entertainment consumption. This rapid expansion has intensified the demand for high-quality subtitling to ensure both audience satisfaction and broader market accessibility. However, despite the noticeable disjunction between established academic conventions and the realities of professional subtitling practice, researchers have not sufficiently explored this in academia. The present study seeks to address this gap by conducting a systematic analysis of the contradictions and inconsistencies in professional subtitling and captioning practices across multiple domains within six major streaming platforms operating in the Middle East and North Africa region. Employing a comparative content analysis informed by established theoretical frameworks in audiovisual translation studies, the research adopts a mixed-methods design that integrates qualitative textual analysis with quantitative measures. Through this methodological synthesis, the study not only seeks to map the extent of divergence between academic research and industry practices but also aims to enable academics to develop theoretical frameworks to more accurately reflect contemporary subtitling and captioning realities, while simultaneously offering practitioners research-driven insights into misalignments and strategies for reconciling them through enhanced approaches to readability and accessibility.