Audiosubtitling: a possible solution for opera accessibility in Catalonia

Abstract

Although we are immersed within an IT society, a wide accessibility to audiovisual media is still seen as a wishful thinking rather than a feasible future. Many organizations at all levels – local, national, and European – are trying to establish an agenda for the implementation of media accessibility or “broadcasting for all”. Research is being carried out at universities at many levels and in many fields –legal, engineering, telecommunications – to provide answers which may be taken as possible recommendations to be implemented in future Broadcasting Acts. This article looks at the semiotic transfer mode known as audiosubtitling as an alternative to live audiodescription for opera, and in particular to one audiosubtitling experience at Barcelona Opera House the Liceu.