Analysis of the controversy in Twitter for the inclusion of star talents in the dubbing of Spider-Man to Latin Spanish
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/gmjmx22.43-549Keywords:
dubbing, animation, audience studies, audiovisual translation, content analysisAbstract
In May 2023, a controversy started on Twitter in response to the announcement that 24 star talents had lent their voices to the Latin Spanish dubbing of Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse. The reaction revealed audiences' expectations about quality in dubbing. We analyzed 2,220 comments and examined the performance of the star talents in the film. 94.5% of the comments were negative, 4.6% were neutral, and only 0.9% were positive. The controversy focused on four issues: (a) a critique of Sony's marketing strategy, (b) the defense of professional voice actors, (c) the choice of subtitles as a second option, (d) the acceptance of some star talents linked to the Spider-Man franchise. Although the roles of the star talents were mostly bit parts, the controversy showed that audiences have high expectations for the dubbing of animation into Latin Spanish, because they adopt that version of the film as their own, even if it is a foreign content. The case study illustrates the awareness of local audiences regarding the processes of cultural adaptation for global products.
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Global Media Journal México, publicación semestral, editada por el Departamento de Psicología y Comunicación de Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas, Estados Unidos; y la Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, México. Editores responsables: Dr. José Carlos Lozano y Dr. Francisco Javier Martínez Garza. Datos de contactos: jose.lozano@tamiu.edu, tel. (956) 326-3117 y francisco.martinezgz@uanl.edu.mx, teléfono (81) 83294000, Ext. 7710 y 7711. Reserva de derechos al uso exclusivo número 04 – 2017- 080814012900- 203, expedido por la Dirección de Reservas de Derechos del Instituto Nacional del Derecho de Autor. ISSN: 2007-2031. El editor no necesariamente comparte el contenido de los artículos, ya que son responsabilidad exclusiva de los autores. Se prohíbe la reproducción total o parcial del contenido, ilustraciones y textos publicados en este número sin la previa autorización que por escrito emita el editor.