“Since When Is Steve Urkel White?” – Vocal Blackface In The German Dubbing Landscape

Dubbed (i.e., lip-synchronized audiovisual translation of) movies and television are ubiquitous in German-speaking countries often consumed without active reflection of their production. Due to this inattention, the domestication / replacement cultural references US media translated into German goes unnoticed. Translational decision-making becomes highly problematic, however, when entire cultures replaced or disregarded as a result. In 2004, applied linguist Robin Queen demonstrated that Black actors were dubbed by white voice with dialects sociolects traditionally read “blue collar.” There has not been any follow-up research her crucial contribution remains topical: (re-)presentation Germans other minoritized voices is still based on colonial racist stereotypes, which turn reinforced through popular culture dubbing. United States, pop-cultural monoliths such "The Simpsons" "Family Guy" reluctantly recast for characters Color after having come under pressure discussions surrounding Lives Matter movement documentaries Hari Kondabolu’s “The Problem Apu.” Following up Queen’s work, article provides accessible, up-to-date data snapshot current practice casting markets, defined here “vocal blackface.” This shows these choices have remain place largely criticism means close reading publicly available actor online database. The foundation identify structural societal reasons why recastings (yet?) happening Germany.