Exploring the Role of Agency in the Production of Easy Subtitles

Abstract

This study investigates the role of human agency in creating easy subtitles, or subtitles written in Easy-to-Read language (E2R) for audiences with reading difficulties. Grounded in media accessibility and cognitive psychology, it explores the audience interaction with easy subtitles and whether their comprehension is affected by the source language of the audiovisual material. To do so, a case study was conducted involving five trained validators with intellectual disabilities, who assessed two short documentaries—one in Italian and one in English—subtitled into E2R Italian. The study reveals that users generally welcome easy subtitles. It also shows that users fully comprehend E2R subtitles, regardless of the source language, with interesting behavioural patterns. Dealing with underexplored key editorial and technical parameters, such as font type, contrast, reading speed, and so forth, findings challenge assumptions about the accessibility limitations of subtitled content for this audience and further emphasise the importance of involving them in the validation process. Additionally, the study identifies issues such as confusion from similar letterforms (e.g. Arial font) and misunderstanding about colour coding. Finally, the research advocates for inclusive production practices and suggests future research avenues in this field.

Lay summary

Easy-to-Read (E2R) is a writing method and a translation mode for producing content that is easy to read and understand for people with reading difficulties. This study explores the expanding scope of E2R in Media Accessibility, which now includes new modes, like easy subtitles, aligning with regulations like the European Standard Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services.

This development reflects the growing societal recognition of E2R while highlighting the need for trained professionals in this domain. In 2009, Inclusion Europe responded to this demand by issuing editorial guidelines that emphasized involving the target audience in validating readability and comprehensibility. However, the lack of harmonized training for E2R validation professionals remained a challenge.

To address this gap, the European Commission funded the Erasmus+ project Train2Validate, which focused on developing training materials for facilitators and validators involved in assessing E2R texts. In this article, we investigate the participation of validators as key agents in the production of easy subtitles, examining the reception, perception, and comprehensibility of easy subtitles by this group. The qualitative data collected through questionnaires and interviews uncover valuable insights into their role and experiences. The findings confirm results from prior academic research and contribute new impulses for future developments.