College of Languages and Translation
This doctoral thesis investigates the evolution of subtitling practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from the 1950s to 2015, focusing on the emergence of social media fansubbing (SMF) on platforms like Twitter. Employing Pierre Bourdieu's sociological framework alongside insights from digital sociology and media studies, the research analyzes the eco-political, socio-cultural, and technological developments influencing the subtitling field. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, incorporating archival research, online data analysis, Twitter metadata, observations, and questionnaires to comprehensively map the field's evolution.
The findings reveal that digital advancements, particularly the rise of social media platforms, have significantly transformed the subtitling landscape in KSA. Fansubbers leverage digital paratexts—such as comments, likes, and shares—to gain social capital and establish their positions within the community. The study also underscores the influence of Saudi Vision 2030 on the subtitling field, suggesting that socio-cultural and technological factors are deeply intertwined in the evolution of media practices. By providing a socio-historical mapping of the subtitling field, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital culture and social media platforms have redefined traditional media practices in Saudi Arabia.