Gender, Sexual, Ethnic, Color and Disability-related Epithets and Labels Across Languages: Evidence from Arabic Subtitling of English Movies and Series

Authors: Hadeel Saed, Ahmad S. Haider, Sausan Abu Tair
Published in: Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, Vol. 9(1), 2023, pp. 213–225
DOI: 10.32601/ejal.901018
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This academic study investigates how labels and slurs related to gender, sexuality, ethnicity, color, and disability are translated from English to Arabic in Netflix and fan-subtitled media. Degrassi: Next Class is one of the analyzed series, with specific focus on how LGBTQ+ terminology and identity labels are handled in Arabic subtitles. The article reveals significant cultural and linguistic gaps in translation—particularly in how Arabic subtitlers often replace reclaimed or neutral English terms with slurs or medically loaded language. This research highlights the challenges of accurately conveying tone, identity, and intent in subtitling and offers insight into how Degrassi’s progressive content is received in more conservative cultural contexts.