Cloud Technologies in Media Localisation (Subtitling and Revoicing)

The media localisation industry has experienced an increasing presence of cloud-based technologies, leading many stakeholders to embrace and incorporate them into their localisation workflows. Cloud solutions use the internet and off-site storage to operate, thereby enhancing the mobility and flexibility of the workforce. Large media producers also use cloud-based ecosystems to distribute localisation work among translation service providers, who often outsource work to linguists using proprietary cloud-based tools. Cloud technologies are more agile than legacy desktop programs, and software developers are keen to establish close collaborations with end users and academic institutions in their quest for feedback on user experience. This makes cloud-based solutions the perfect allies for fine-tuning technologies and customising the newest tools to the needs of audiovisual translators. The main aim of this chapter is to take stock of the far-reaching implications of cloud technologies in the industry and to investigate their potential in translation studies, particularly translator training environments. A discussion will be provided on how these tools operate and how workflows are (re-)shaped by these new tools. This chapter suggests ways to exploit them, from a pedagogical perspective, in the teaching and learning of media localisation (aka audiovisual translation), specifically subtitling and revoicing.