Audio Description for the Arts

This book traces the development of audio description (AD), a form of audiovisual translation delivered orally and consumed aurally that makes visual elements accessible primarily to people who are visually impaired, and in particular, art AD as an emergent sub-genre.

Perego reflects on the static arts and the role of modern museums as key sites for art AD and multisensory environments that create memorable experiences for visitors. Based on professional, pre-recorded British and American English AD scripts, this book outlines the textual and linguistic features of art AD and its most relevant textual patterns. It explores diverse AD practices across different contexts, including stand-alone ADs for specific paintings and sculptures that can be consumed independently to enhance the appeal and accessibility of cultural environments. Moreover, the book investigates AD tours, which provide descriptions of a selection of interconnected artworks while also assisting, through focused instructions, visually impaired individuals in navigating the museum space, as well as touch tours, which incorporate procedural instructions on how to experience three-dimensional art or reproductions through tactile senses.

Offering unique insights and future research directions for this growing area, this volume will be of interest to students and scholars in translation studies and media accessibility.

"With Audio Description for the Arts. A Linguistic Perspective, Elisa Perego offers a thoroughly researched, landmark account of how audio description is most effectively practiced particularly for static work. Perego takes a giant step toward greater accessibility in museums for a long-neglected segment of the population." - Joel Snyder, Ph.D., President, Audio Description Associates, LLC, Founder and Senior Consultant, Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind

"Audio Description for the Arts. A Linguistic Perspective presents data-driven insights into the distinct linguistic features of different types of art AD: recorded tours, touch tours and stand-alone descriptions. This much-needed book will prove stimulating reading for practitioners, researchers and students alike." - Dr Rachel Hutchinson, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Westminster.