Lost in subtitling: do Arabic satellite TV channels and DVDs speak the same language?

Research on audiovisual translation (AVT) in the Arab world is expanding, but subtitling taboo humor remains under-researched. This study addresses the challenges faced by Arab subtitlers when dealing with taboo humor in the American sitcom *Two and a Half Men*, focusing on cultural nuances and censorship. The research questions are: 1. What translation strategies are used for taboo humor? 2. Are different censorship techniques employed for satellite TV versus DVDs? The study uses a comparative analysis of 16 episodes of *Two and a Half Men*, comparing the original dialogues with Arabic subtitles on MBC4 and the DVD versions. The sitcom's reliance on sexuality, swear words, and other potentially offensive topics presents unique challenges, especially considering the spatial and temporal constraints of subtitling and the interplay between visual and verbal elements. Díaz Cintas and Remael's definition of subtitling emphasizes the importance of integrating various semiotic communication channels to accurately convey meaning, which is crucial in this study given the potential for censorship to distort the intended meaning.

Existing literature on AVT in the Arab world covers linguistic, technical, and ideological aspects, but research specifically on subtitling taboo content is limited. Studies like Al-Adwan (2019) investigated subtitling conventions on MBC2 and Dubai One, highlighting challenges like the use of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) instead of dialects. Thawabteh (2017) explains the prevalence of MSA in subtitling due to its wider understanding, its use in education and formal contexts, and its suitability for euphemism. Al-Abbas and Haider (2021) explored Netflix's use of MSA in subtitling Egyptian films for deaf viewers, finding that while humor was impacted, accessibility was enhanced. Other studies explored subtitling of cultural references (Al-Adwan and Al-Jabri, 2023), taboo language in hip-hop films (Al-Yasin and Rabab'ah, 2019), and religious and obscene language in video games (Al-Ajarmeh and Al-Adwan, 2022). Al-Batineh (2023) investigated the localization of *The Witcher 3*, finding that while taboo references were mitigated, conflicting visuals were retained. The use of AI in subtitling and its impact on conceptual metaphors was also examined (Alzaabi and Rabab'ah, 2023). Censorship in AVT has been studied across various contexts, but more research is needed in the Arab world. Scandura (2004) notes reasons for censorship, including politics, religion, and self-censorship. In the Arab world, censorship is influenced by religion, social norms, and politics, impacting the translation and presentation of media content. Studies highlight the role of Islam and social traditions in determining acceptable content (Izwaini, 2017; Al-Adwan and Yahiaoui, 2018). Al-Jabri et al. (2021) found that satellite TV channels face more interference from authorities than streaming services, leading to stricter censorship. The impact of cultural norms and legal provisions on subtitling taboo content is emphasized (Izwaini, 2017), along with the specific challenges of translating sexual references (Thawabteh, 2017) and the particularly sensitive issue of homosexuality in the Arab context (Al-Abbas and Haider, 2020). Previous work on subtitling *Two and a Half Men* (Al-Adwan and Yahiaoui, 2018) revealed failures to recapture the original humor and a distorted representation of characters.

This study analyzed 16 episodes of *Two and a Half Men* from seasons 9-11, comparing the original English dialogue with Arabic subtitles from MBC4 and DVD versions. The sitcom was chosen due to its explicit sexual references, taboo language, and other potentially offensive content, presenting a valuable case study for examining censorship practices in Arabic subtitling. The methodology involved a comparative linguistic analysis, carefully transcribing subtitles to facilitate scrutiny. The analysis identified instances of taboo and offensive references and the strategies used to address them, quantifying their frequency. This allowed for the identification of shifts in the subtitling process and insights into the social and religious factors influencing the final subtitles. Some MBC4 episodes were shortened due to censorship, impacting the storyline. The analysis framework drew upon descriptive translation studies, focusing on how Arab subtitlers handled potentially offensive content. The study identified three main strategies employed: euphemisation, semantic mistranslation, and omission. Each strategy is illustrated with examples from the corpus, providing English back-translations of the Arabic subtitles. The analysis also included an examination of visual censorship, noting instances where scenes were omitted entirely from the MBC4 broadcasts. This involved comparing both verbal and visual content between the MBC4 and DVD versions to identify instances of omission and assess their impact on the overall meaning and character portrayals.

The analysis revealed that Arab subtitlers used three main strategies when dealing with 125 instances of potentially offensive content: 1. **Euphemisation:** This was the most frequent strategy (60.9% on MBC4, 76.9% on DVD), using less direct or offensive equivalents. Examples include replacing "pot" with "forbidden things" on MBC4 and "drugs" on DVD, or replacing the phrase "rip off your balls and feed them to you" with "rip off your organs" on MBC4 and a more explicit translation on DVD. 2. **Semantic Mistranslation:** This involved creating an unfaithful rendition, either due to misunderstanding or deliberate manipulation. Examples include translating "tequila" as "potato juice" on MBC4 to avoid referencing alcohol, and modifying a sexual expression ("Lyndsey bangs my brains out") into a less direct translation on both MBC4 and DVD versions, potentially confusing viewers. 3. **Omission:** This was the least frequent strategy (17.4% on MBC4, 9% on DVD). Omissions occurred in both linguistic and visual content. Linguistic omission involved removing swear words or offensive phrases (e.g., omitting "bitch" on MBC4). Visual omissions were more pronounced, particularly regarding scenes depicting homosexuality. Several scenes involving homosexual characters or activities were entirely deleted from the MBC4 broadcasts. The study also noted that some scenes with nudity or explicit sexual content were unexpectedly retained on MBC4, despite generally stricter censorship practices. The data is presented in tables showing the frequency of each strategy on both MBC4 and DVD versions. The analysis shows a significantly higher level of censorship on MBC4 compared to the DVD version. This suggests that MBC4 applies a stricter censorship policy, especially concerning homosexuality, to cater to the cultural and religious norms of their Arab viewers.

The findings indicate that Arab subtitlers working for MBC4 exercise significantly stricter censorship than those producing DVD subtitles. This difference reflects the influence of dominant ideologies and censorship practices on audiovisual content. The three identified strategies—euphemisation, semantic mistranslation, and omission—illustrate how subtitlers navigate the tension between accurately conveying the source text's meaning and adhering to cultural norms and censorship guidelines. The more rigorous censorship on MBC4, particularly concerning homosexuality, highlights the impact of religious and social values on media representation. The omission of scenes, especially those involving homosexual characters, demonstrates a deliberate attempt to avoid potentially offensive content. The unexpected retention of some sexually explicit scenes suggests complexities and inconsistencies in censorship policies. The differences in censorship between MBC4 and DVD versions lead to different viewer experiences, significantly affecting comprehension of humor and plotlines. This study contributes to the understanding of censorship in AVT within the Arab cultural context and highlights the role of service providers' ideologies in shaping media content.

This research reveals significant differences in censorship levels between Arabic subtitles for *Two and a Half Men* on MBC4 and DVD. MBC4 applies stricter censorship, primarily through euphemisation, mistranslation, and omission. Homosexuality is particularly targeted, leading to the removal of relevant scenes. These findings highlight the influence of cultural norms, religious beliefs, and censorship policies on audiovisual translation. Future research could explore the effectiveness of different censorship strategies, examine viewer reactions to different levels of censorship, and investigate the evolution of censorship practices in the Arab media landscape.

This study focuses solely on *Two and a Half Men* and MBC4, limiting the generalizability of findings to other sitcoms or channels. The analysis relies on a specific set of episodes and may not fully capture the spectrum of censorship practices. The research lacks direct input from subtitlers, limiting insights into their decision-making processes. Future research with a larger corpus and interviews with subtitlers would strengthen the findings.