Translators’ image in Iranian feature films

Abstract

Drawing on the significant influence of audiovisual media on people’s conceptions of any given phenomenon, the current qualitative study was an attempt to identify the social dimensions of the Iranian translator, represented in feature films in Iran. Specifically, the study aimed to explore the identity, socioeconomic status and lifestyle of the translator characters depicted in Iranian feature films. Therefore, 16 Iranian films, involving interlingual translation, were selected. The thematic analysis revealed five sociological aspects of the Iranian translator reflected in Iranian films: identity of the translator, socioeconomic status of the translator, lifestyle and attitude of the translator, attitudes of other characters towards the translator, and the role of translation in the turn of events. The results indicated that translators are generally shown as self-disciplined and dissociable individuals who are devoted to their work. The translator characters mostly had minor roles in the plot and turn of events.