The Bridgerton Series Through an Activist Gender Lens

Abstract

Since the early 2000’s, feminist translation studies, which lies at the intersection between translation studies and gender studies, has included the study of audio-visual translation as well as literary texts as a corpus of research. A reason behind this might be that the popularization of streaming platforms has brought the need to include audio-visual translation such as subtitling in the content they release. As streaming platforms reach many audiences, it is important to analyze how gender related issues are being portrayed in these translated products. In this thesis, the subtitles of Netflix’s historical drama Bridgerton, based on the novels written by Julia Quinn, are analyzed according to the feminist translation strategies adapted by Wallmach (2006) which were derived from Vinay and Dalbernet’s translation categories (1995) and Delabastita’s translation strategies (1993). To examine how the translator of the series treated the transference of the gender related expressions in the original into the subtitles, the frequency of the feminist translation strategies will be assessed using numeratical statistics. In addition, alternative subtitles will be offered which are translated from a gender perspective and with an ideological aim. By combining feminist translation theory and practice, this thesis aims to assess of the frequency of the feminist translation strategies used in subtitles of Bridgerton and pinpoint sexist transfers. It is important to note that that such a popular series reaches millions across the world influencing their world views. Moreover, the series is a cross-temporal adaptation that portrays a time when women where ‘placed and viewed’ differently in society. In this respect it is important to note how they are portrayed in a contemporary version of the story. This study would set the scene to investigate how ‘faithfully or in an activist manner’ historical romantic drama wishes to portray gender issues of the past in the present-day setting, and of course, the translator/s choices in this portrayal.