Abstract

This article aims to evaluate the prospects and challenges of subtitling in Cameroon and its positive impacts based on the perceptions of a cross-section of respondents (students) of the University of Buea. The purpose is to assess the effectiveness and the relevance of this mode of audiovisual translation in improving the rate of literacy, its contribution to social development and the level of its use by the most popular television media in the country. A survey research method was used. Data were collected through questionnaires, observation and interviews. Results after analysis of the data revealed that the respondents appreciated the importance of subtitling and its role in audiovisual translation in the country. The results further indicated that alternative approaches could be adapted to enhance the usefulness of this mode of translation. Proposals towards improving its utilization for literacy improvement especially for the under-scholarised population as well as for improvement in translation skills have accordingly been presented.

Key words: Audiovisual translation, subtitling, television media, translation skills, rate of literacy, social development.