Audio description from a discourse perspective. A socially relevant framework for research and training

Audio description involves an intense process of assessment and decision-making - this is the angle of this article by Sabine Braun. The author also outlines new avenues for empirical research, but starts from a discourse-based approach, which she believes can provide a useful framework, not only for research, but also for training and practice. According to Braun, mental modelling theory, as well as research into visual perception and cognition, offer an interesting view on what happens in the process of understanding verbal discourse, sound, images, and their interaction, the first step in the AD process, and a crucial factor for the subsequent selection of material. What is more, a model of discourse processing which can provide guidance in assessing and selecting material for AD could obviously be extremely useful for training beginning audio describers. In the comprehension of verbal discourse, Braun writes, addressees build up a mental model of the situation described in a particular instance, and create expectations about how the discourse will continue. Research into visual perception and cognition reveals that comparable bottom up and top-down processes are applied for the comprehension of visual input. The opening scenes of the film The Hours, serve as a case study. [Source: Editors]