Cultura queer brasileira: análise das legendas e estratégias tradutórias no reality show drag race brasil

Abstract

This study analyzes the translation of Brazilian Portuguese subtitles into American English in the reality show Drag Race Brasil, focusing on expressions characteristic of Brazilian queer language. It examines how these expressions are conveyed in the target language, considering linguistic, cultural, and identity-related aspects. The theoretical framework is based on Gottlieb’s (1994) subtitling strategies, and Robinson’s (2020) definition of translation. The methodology involved analyzing the first episode of the show’s first season, identifying queer expressions and comparing the Portuguese and English subtitles. Results show that most translations relied on paraphrasing with a tendency toward domestication, favoring fluency and comprehension for international audiences but sometimes reducing cultural and identity-specific nuances. Expressions translated through transfer or imitation preserved greater cultural and performative fidelity. The study highlights the translator’s role as a cultural mediator and provides alternative translation suggestions that balance contributing to audiovisual translation studies and the visibility of LGBTQIA+ cultural practices.