Abstract

This study aims to analyze word class shifts (class shifts) in the translation of subtitles of the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets from English as the source text (ST) into Indonesian as the target text (TT). Word class shifts are one form of translation shift that frequently occurs in audiovisual translation due to differences in grammatical systems between the two languages, the need for naturalization in the target language, and technical constraints of subtitles such as space and on-screen duration. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical design. The data were obtained from pairs of English and Indonesian subtitles containing indications of word class shifts. The units of analysis consist of words and phrases that undergo changes in grammatical categories. Data analysis was conducted using document analysis and comparative analysis based on Catford’s (1965) theory of translation shifts, particularly class shifts. The data were classified into several types of shifts, namely verbs into nouns (Verb→Noun), adjectives into adverbs (Adj→Adv), adverbs into adjectives (Adv→Adj), and adjectives into verbs or verbal phrases. The findings indicate that word class shifts occur significantly in the subtitles of this film, with Verb→Noun shifts being the most dominant type. The shifts do not alter the core meaning of the message but function to adjust the target language structure, enhance readability, and produce more natural and acceptable translations for Indonesian audiences. The main factors causing these shifts include differences in grammatical systems, the need for target language naturalization, technical constraints of subtitles, and the oral characteristics of film dialogue. This study contributes to audiovisual translation studies, particularly in understanding the strategic role of class shifts in film subtitling.