The application of intersemiotic translation combined with multimodal activities in the English as a foreign language classroom

Abstract

This paper presents the analysis of the application of activities using films and the intersemiotic category of translation as a tool for the practice of the abilities of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The theoretical framework is based on the Functionalist Approach of Translation, Translation Categories, the Theory of Translation and Culture, as well as the Theory of Translation and Cinema. Four activities were created to use the English language with beginner students of the Modern Languages Course (Letras-Inglês) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG). The activities were created based on the films Finding Neverland and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. A questionnaire was also created to assess the students' opinion concerning the validity of such activities for the study of the English language. Findings have shown that the use of activities involving the intersemiotic category of translation and multimodality, when applied together with specific theories, helps the study of the English language, promoting more participation and interaction between teacher and students.