Abstract
This article examines the production processes and cultural implications of adapting foreign telenovelas into "Twinovela"— serialized foreign dramas dubbed into Akan—on Ghanaian television. Focusing on Adom TV and United Television (UTV), the study explores how dubbing practices challenge traditional notions of indigenous media by merging global and local cultural narratives. Using ethnographic research methods, including interviews, participant observation, and institutional discourses, the analysis delves into recruitment strategies, translational practices, and the creative process of dubbing. The study highlights the sociocultural dynamics of Akan language use, the role of linguistic norms, and the integration of Ghanaian cultural motifs to ensure audience resonance. It also addresses the audiovisual and representational dissonance created by the adaptation process, emphasizing the interplay of sound and visuals in fostering cultural identification. The findings reveal that twinovela is not merely a replication of foreign content but a creative adaptation that incorporates Ghanaian cultural motifs, linguistic norms, and audience preferences. It emphasizes that twinovela represent a complex interplay of cultural, economic, and ideological dynamics, showcasing how global and local influences merge to create a unique media format. This dubbing process not only revitalizes indigenous languages in media but also challenges traditional notions of cultural representation and identity.
Journal Title
Iowa Journal of Communication
Volume
58
Issue
1
First Page
192
Last Page
216
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Frimpong, Nancy A.
(2026)
"Reproducing Audiovisual and Representational Dissonance: Translating Foreign Telenovela into Twinovela,"
Iowa Journal of Communication: Vol. 58:
No.
1, Article 12.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/ijc/vol58/iss1/12
Copyright
©2026 Iowa Communication Association
