A corpus-based study of euphemising body parts in Arabic subtitles

Abstract

Drawing on prior taboo classifications and euphemism strategies, this study investigates the euphemisms that result from subtitling private body part-related taboo words (PBPRTW). The study utilised quantitative (frequencies and percentages) and qualitative approaches based on subtitler’s linguistic choices and the reasons behind their selection. The sample comprises 75 Hollywood feature films and their Arabic correspondences based on six criteria. The study adopts Pinker’s (2007) and McEnery’s (2006) for taboo language classifications and Al-Adwan’s typology for euphemism strategies, which draws upon Williams (1975), Warren (1992), and Davies (2003). The PBPRTW were selected on the basis of their frequent occurrence in the corpus, appearing more than 150 times. They serve various functions, including descriptive, abusive, referential, and idiomatic. The findings indicated that only approximately 5% of obscene words are retained in Arabic subtitles, while 95% of the English subtitles in the corpus are toned down, euphemised, or omitted. The study identified seven euphemistic strategies employed in dealing with PBPRTW in Arabic subtitles: metaphorical transfer, preservation, implication, metonymy, semantic misrepresentation, and widening. These findings have some implications for subtitlers when translating PBPRTW.