Bridging disciplines : analogies and applicable devices

Abstract

Dialogue writing can certainly be considered as a form of constrained writing or constrained translation (Mayoral et al. 1988; Titford 1982). The number of restrictions to be handled in dubbing adaptation need not discourage dialogue writers, says Chaume; on the contrary these can be seen as a challenge that stimulates creativity: originality used within certain limitations and parameters, of course, otherwise it would be difficult to distinguish between dialogue writing and other forms of creative writing (Chaume 1998, p. 21). What is being suggested in this chapter is that the constraints that make dialogue writing such a difficult task can actually enhance creativity and freedom in writing; rather than being considered, by dialogue writers, as solely restrictive, they can also be considered as creative.