Didactic Audiovisual Translation (DAT)

A Systematic Review

Abstract

Didactic audiovisual translation – or DAT – is a flourishing research field within audiovisual translation (AVT). Publications in this area have surged since the 2010s, and the interdisciplinary nature of the field has been enhanced through collaborative efforts among researchers in translation studies, applied linguistics, and education. Over the past two decades, research on DAT has provided empirical evidence demonstrating how AVT as a didactic resource facilitates vocabulary acquisition, fosters intercultural competence, improves oral and written comprehension and production, and promotes overall communicative competence in L2 learning. Beyond linguistic advantages, DAT has been shown to have a positive impact on various educational facets. This study aims to take stock of the field by offering a systematic analysis of research papers published between 2013 and 2023. Our review analyses 49 scientific articles published in indexed journals and offers empirical results covering diverse research foci, aiming to examine potentialities and lacunas in the field, as well as the most prominent topics covered so far and prospective avenues of enquiry.

Lay summary

Didactic audiovisual translation is a research field within audiovisual translation that has long asked for a systematic review to thoroughly examine the field. This paper offers such review by uncovering the most prominent topics analysed so far and pointing towards necessary paths of future inquiry. During the last decade, experts in translation studies, applied linguistics, and education have provided empirical evidence on how audiovisual translation used as a didactic resource facilitates vocabulary acquisition, fosters intercultural competence, improves oral comprehension and production, and promotes overall communicative competence in L2 learning. This paper offers a systematic analysis of research papers published between 2013 and 2023, and it provides details from 47 scientific articles published in indexed journals with empirical results related to the various didactic audiovisual translation modes.