Audio-Visual Translation

What is Audiovisual Translation?

Audiovisual Translation (AVT) is the process of translating films, TV shows, video
games, and digital content from one language and culture to another. It involves
combining different forms of communication, such as language, visuals, music,
sound effects, and colors, to create meaning.

It is a branch of translation studies concerned with the transfer of multimodal and

multimedial texts into another language and/or culture.

Example: In a movie, the character might speak in English, but when shown in a
different country, the audience sees subtitles or hears dubbed dialogue in their
language.

History of Audiovisual Translation

Silent Films: Early films used intertitles—text placed between frames to explain the
plot or character’s thoughts, as there was no spoken dialogue.

Example: In early silent movies, you might see a screen that says, “Two days
later…” or “John entered the room, looking worried.”

1920s Sound Films: The introduction of sound in films led to the creation of dubbing
(replacing voices) and subtitling (adding translated text at the bottom).

Example: In a movie, if the original dialogue is in English, and it’s translated into
Hindi for an Indian audience, you may see Hindi subtitles or hear the Hindi
dubbing.

Types of Audiovisual Translation

Subtitling:
This involves translating the spoken words into text and displaying them on the screen.

Example: In the movie The Lion King, if a character speaks in English, the Spanish
audience will read the translation at the bottom of the screen in Spanish.

Subtitling Types

Interlingual Subtitles: These subtitles translate the dialogue into a different

language.

Example: A Spanish movie with English subtitles for non-Spanish speakers.

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 Intralingual Subtitles: These are subtitles in the same language to help people
with hearing impairments or those who need help understanding different
dialects.

Example: English subtitles for a movie where characters speak in a heavy

accent or a local dialect, making it easier for the audience to follow the
dialogue.

Open vs. Closed Subtitles

Open Subtitles: These are always visible on the screen. They are part of the
video, and the viewer cannot remove them.

Example: Subtitles in a film that cannot be turned off, like in a foreign-

language film where the dialogue is always translated.

Closed Subtitles: These can be turned on or off depending on the viewer’s

preference.

Example: DVDs or streaming platforms allow viewers to choose subtitles in

different languages and toggle them on or off during the movie.

📌 Advantages of Subtitling:
📌 Limitations of Subtitling:
Cost-Effective: Compared Cognitive Load: Reading
to other methods like subtitles while watching a
dubbing. film can require significant
mental effort, potentially
Cultural Exposure: Subtitles
detracting from the viewing
expose viewers to the
experience.
original language, fostering
an interest in other cultures. Text Condensation:
Subtitles often need to
Retention of Original
condense spoken dialogue
Aesthetic: preserves the
to fit the screen, which can
original artistic integrity of a
lead to a loss of certain
film, making it appealing to
nuances in the language.
viewers who want to
experience the film as it was
originally made.

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 Dubbing:
The original voices are replaced with translated voices in the target language, so
viewers hear the translated speech rather than reading subtitles.

Example: In a Hindi film, if there’s an American movie dubbed into Hindi, the
characters will be speaking in Hindi, but their lip movements may still look like the
original English.

Remake:
A remake is a new version of an existing work (like a movie, TV show, video game, or
song). It updates the original material, often with modern elements or changes to make
it relevant for new audiences.

📌
Examples:

Movies: The Lion King (2019) (CGI

version of the 1994 animated classic).
Benefits:
New audience: Introduces
Games: Final Fantasy VII Remake
classics to younger viewers.
(2020) (updated graphics and
gameplay). Improved technology: Uses
new tech to enhance the
Songs: Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley's
original.
version of Leonard Cohen’s song).
Fresh perspective: Offers a

📌 Key Features:
new take on the original
story.

1. Based on existing work: A

remake takes inspiration
from a previous film, game,
or song.
📌 Criticism:

2. Modernization: It may Lack of originality: Remakes

update technology, culture, may feel uncreative or

or style. profit-driven.

3. New Cast and Crew Comparison: Often

compared to the original,
4. Purpose: Remakes are leading to high expectations.
made to introduce classics
to new generations. Changes: Fans may not like
alterations to the original
content.

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 Modern Trends in AVT
AVT is expanding to new media like video games, software, live streaming, and
online content. This includes real-time subtitling for events like live news or sports,
which increases accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Example: During a live TV broadcast, real-time subtitles appear on the screen,

helping viewers understand the dialogue or narration.

Accessible Subtitles: Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing not only show
dialogue but also describe sounds, music, and other important audio cues.

Example: In a horror movie, when a door creaks open, the subtitle may read,
“(Door creaks)”. This ensures the deaf audience also experiences the
atmosphere of the scene.

Market Considerations:
Countries with a single language community often prefer dubbing because of the
market size, whereas in multilingual or smaller countries, subtitling is more prevalent
due to cost and literacy factors. Dubbing also plays a role in censorship in certain
regions, such as in fascist-era Italy, where it was used to remove unwanted
references.

A Remake Case Study of Forrest Gump

(English) → Laal Singh Chaddha (Hindi)
I have done a case study on the Hindi
remake of
Forrest Gump, titled Laal Singh Chaddha.
As someone who enjoys both Hollywood
and Bollywood films, I was curious to
explore how an iconic film like Forrest
Gump was reimagined for an Indian
audience. This study dives into how the
remake retains the soul of the original
while adapting the story, characters, and
cultural references to fit the Indian
context.

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 In this study, I focused on the similarities
and differences between the two films,
analyzing how key themes like resilience,
innocence, and love were portrayed. I
also examined how
Laal Singh Chaddha integrated Indian
historical events, music, and cultural
nuances to connect with the local
audience. This allowed me to understand
not just the creative process behind
remakes but also the challenges of
balancing originality with the essence of
the original story.

As someone who grew up watching both Bollywood and Hollywood films, I was
fascinated to see how Forrest Gump, a timeless American classic, was reimagined as
Laal Singh Chaddha for Indian audiences. The 1994 film Forrest Gump, directed by
Robert Zemeckis, follows Forrest's life through key moments in American history, while
Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), directed by Advait Chandan, takes the same core story and
adapts it to India, blending it with iconic Indian historical events.

This study analyzes how the film’s story, characters, and cultural references were
reimagined, while also highlighting the differences and similarities. The points are based
on my experience watching both films and the additional information I found online.

Many films worldwide have unofficially borrowed from the themes, narrative structure,
or emotional core of
Forrest Gump. However, Laal Singh Chaddha remains the only official remake
authorized by Paramount Pictures and integrated into the Indian context.

Introduction to the Story

Both films follow the life of a simple man whose innocence and unique perspective
touch the lives of many.

In Forrest Gump, the titular character (Tom Hanks) recounts his story on a bench in
Savannah, Georgia, while waiting for a bus.

In Laal Singh Chaddha, Laal (Aamir Khan) narrates his life to strangers on a train.

This change reflects a cultural shift: while waiting at a train station is a common setting
in India, a bus stop fits the American lifestyle.

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 Characterization and Cultural Adaptation

1. Protagonist: Forrest Gump to Laal Singh Chaddha

Forrest Gump: Tom Hanks plays Forrest, an Alabama man with a low IQ but a kind
heart. He influences several historical events, from meeting U.S. presidents to
inspiring Elvis Presley.

Laal Singh Chaddha: Aamir Khan portrays Laal, Laal Singh Chaddha retains this
innocence but gives Laal a distinct Sikh identity. A Sikh man from Punjab who
weaves through Indian history. For example, young Laal meets a young Shah Rukh
Khan and teaches him dance moves, echoing Forrest’s interaction with Elvis.

Example: In both films, the protagonist’s innocence and unique perspective make them
lovable. Forrest’s line, “Stupid is as stupid does,” is localized in Laal Singh Chaddha as,
“Pagal woh hota hai jo pagalpan karta hai,” capturing the same simplicity and wisdom.
Example: In Forrest Gump, young Forrest’s leg braces break off and he discovers his
ability to run fast. This moment is iconic, symbolizing his freedom from physical
limitations. In Laal Singh Chaddha, this scene is recreated with young Laal running away
from bullies, his braces breaking apart as he outruns them. The emotion remains the
same but is made relatable to an Indian audience.

2. Mothers: Mrs. Gump and Gurpreet Kaur Chaddha

Both mothers play a crucial role in shaping their sons’ lives.

Mrs. Gump (Sally Field) tells Forrest, “You’re no different than anybody else,”
teaching him that limitations exist only in the mind.

Gurpreet Kaur Chaddha (Mona Singh) conveys the same lesson, telling Laal,
“Hamara beta sabse alag hai, lekin sabse accha hai” (Our son is different but the
best).

Example: Mrs. Gump sleeps with Forrest’s school principal to secure his admission,
reflecting the social realities of the time. In contrast, Gurpreet fights societal prejudice to
ensure Laal gets a fair chance in school. This change aligns with Indian cultural
sensitivities while retaining the core theme of a mother’s sacrifices.

3. Love Interests: Jenny and Rupa

Jenny (Robin Wright) and Rupa (Kareena Kapoor Khan) represent the unrequited love
that anchors the protagonists.

Jenny’s counterculture lifestyle, involving drugs and hippie movements, is

reinterpreted in Rupa’s ambition for fame in the underworld.

Both women have troubled pasts—Jenny faces childhood abuse, while Rupa
struggles with the trauma of domestic violence as her father had killed her mother in

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 a fit of rage.

Unlike Jenny in Forrest Gump, Rupa faces legal consequences for her association
with criminals. She is jailed.

Example: In Forrest Gump, Jenny sings at nightclubs, while in Laal Singh Chaddha,
Rupa dreams of becoming a Bollywood star. Both characters eventually leave the
protagonists, unable to commit despite their love, but return later in life, bringing closure
to their relationships.

4. Best Friends: Bubba and Bala

Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) dreams of starting a shrimp business, inspiring Forrest
to create the successful Bubba Gump Shrimp Company after Bubba’s death in
Vietnam.

Bala (Naga Chaitanya), a fellow soldier, dreams of an undergarment business, which

Laal fulfills by launching the “Rupa” brand after Bala’s death in Kargil.

Example: Forrest’s Bubba Gump Shrimp Company is a tribute to his friend’s dream.
Similarly, Laal starts “Rupa” underwear, a nod to Bala’s dream, blending the original story
into India’s entrepreneurial spirit.

5. Mentors: Lieutenant Dan and Mohammed

Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise), Forrest’s embittered commander in Vietnam, finds
redemption and purpose through Forrest’s friendship.

Mohammed (Manav Vij), a Pakistani commander saved by Laal during Kargil,

undergoes a similar transformation, and befriends Laal. Mohammed redeems
himself by opening a school in Pakistan, symbolizing peace and humanity across
borders.

Historical Context and Events

Both films weave personal stories with significant historical events.
Forrest Gump - Forrest participates in or witnesses moments like the Vietnam War, the
Watergate scandal, and ping-pong diplomacy.
Laal Singh Chaddha - Laal’s life intersects with India’s history, including:

1. 1983 Cricket World Cup: Laal witnesses the Indian team’s victory.

2. 1984 Sikh Riots: The riots profoundly affect Laal and his family, adding depth to his
backstory.

3. Kargil War: Laal’s bravery during the war parallels Forrest’s Vietnam service.

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 Symbolism in Simplicity
Both films use running as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability.

Forrest Gump: Forrest runs across America, saying, “I just felt like running.”, it
symbolizes freedom and healing.

Laal Singh Chaddha: Laal’s cross-country run covers iconic Indian locations and
captures India’s diversity, as he visits locations like Ladakh and Kanyakumari.,
symbolizing self-discovery.

Example: In both films, the protagonist’s aimless running becomes a phenomenon, with
people interpreting it as something profound, though it’s simply an act of personal
healing.

4. Music and Cultural Nuances

Forrest Gump features a soundtrack of American classics, grounding the film in its
historical setting.

Laal Singh Chaddha uses Bollywood melodies that evoke nostalgia and emotion,
including the soulful “Kahani” as Laal’s theme song.

Example: While Elvis Presley’s music connects Forrest to the rock-n-roll era, Laal’s
interaction with Shah Rukh Khan brings a Bollywood touch, blending Indian pop culture
with the narrative.

Themes of Resilience and Innocence

At their core, both movies celebrate resilience and innocence in the face of life’s
challenges. Forrest and Laal teach us to live simply, love unconditionally, and embrace
life’s unpredictability.
Example:
Forrest’s famous line, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re
gonna get,” is localized in Laal Singh Chaddha as, “Zindagi golgappe ki tarah hai, pet
bhale hi bhar jaaye, mann nahi bharta” (Life is like a plate of golgappas; it may fill your
stomach, but you’ll never get enough). This brilliantly adapts the original metaphor to
Indian food culture while keeping the deeper meaning intact.

Examples of Adaptation
Scene in Forrest Gump Adapted Scene in Laal Singh Chaddha

Laal teaches young Sarukhan what his signature

Forrest teaches Elvis Presley his dance
dance step today

Forrest invests in Apple Laal invests in an Indian sports brand

“Run, Forrest, Run!” “Bhaag, Laal, Bhaag!”

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 Conclusion: A Cross-Cultural Translation
Watching Laal Singh Chaddha felt like revisiting Forrest Gump through an Indian lens.
The remake beautifully retains the original’s heart while localizing it to reflect India’s
culture and history. With thoughtful adaptations, relatable characters, and universal
themes, Laal Singh Chaddha demonstrates how a story can cross boundaries and find
new meaning in a different cultural context.
This comparison not only highlights the similarities and differences between the two
films but also showcases the power of storytelling to resonate across generations and
geographies.

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