WHOLE OR NOTHING: APPLYING GESTALT THEORY ON THE SUBTITLES OF THE SERIES OMAR (2012)

Abstract

Gestalt Theory, developed by German psychologists, can be summarized as “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The core principle is grouping elements together to perceive them as a whole, rather than individual components. A prime example of that is a TV series, where a myriad components – e.g., set design, dialogue, camera movement, wardrobe, etc. - combine to make one whole production. Inserting subtitles on top of that whole can pose a challenge if the subtitles take the viewer out of the total immersion the production offers. For this reason, this research analyzes the subtitles of the series Omar (2012) through the lens of Gestalt, using the key tenet in Gestalt theory, Figure and Ground, to assess whether the subtitles preserve or damage the totality of perception, as per Gestalt laws. To unravel the intricacies of language in the subtitles, the research employs Vinay and Darbelnet’s (1995/2004: 128–37) translation strategies as a linguistic framework. This research showed examples where subtitles preserved the wholeness of perception and ensured that the viewer grasped not only the words but also the intended spiritual and historical impact, and examples where the subtitles fell short of just that. This research brought insight into the crossover between psychology and AVT, and introduces a theory commonly used in the visual arts to the art of subtitles.

Date of Award	2026
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Humanities and Social Science