The Role of Tone in Dubbing Children’s Cartoons: A Case Study of Timon & Pumbaa Series
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1703.16Keywords:
translation, voice acting, vocal tone, characterization, dubbingAbstract
Translation plays a vital role in crossing cultural boundaries, but effectively conveying the tone and spirit of original works is challenging. This study analyzes how the vocal tone of different voice actors impacted audience perception of the animated character Timon from Disney’s The Lion King franchise when dubbed into Arabic. Specifically, it examines audience feedback on the portrayals by Mohamed Henedy and Nasser Shaheen in the Timon and Pumbaa television series. A questionnaire was designed to identify 53 faculty members’ perceptions on the voice actors’ ability to capture Timon’s comedic wit and sarcastic personality through vocal tone. Results show Henedy’s energetic and humorous delivery strongly aligns with Timon’s characterization, making his performance more engaging and memorable. Though Shaheen succeeded in conveying sarcasm and wit, his portrayal was perceived as less well-rounded. The results emphasize vocal tone’s pivotal role in authentically transporting an animated character’s essence cross-culturally. Matching the spirit and nuances of the original voice acting helps elevate competent dubbing to truly iconic status. The study provides unique insights into how attention to tone impacts audience reception and popularity of translated animated works.
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