Film Dubbing and Collaborative Pedagogy

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this article, we discuss the multi-layered collaboration occurring among students, between students and teachers, and among instructors in the context of an advanced Italian course at the college level. We specifically showcase the project-based learning activity Ma chi parla? (Who Is Talking?), during which students generated the audiovisual translation from English to Italian of film and television show excerpts. We argue that, in its implementation in fall 2018 at our institution, Ma chi parla? fostered creativity, engagement, and pluralism thanks to its collaborative structure, in addition to establishing a decentralised co-laboratory of cultural experiences. The article also frames Ma chi parla? as a starting point to reflect on audiovisual translation, in particular dubbing, as a long-standing tradition in Italy, to illuminate its history, to question its cultural effects, and to problematise its pedagogical applications.