The master’s thesis, titled Audiobooks: Guidelines and Recommendations for Adequate Narration, explores the perception of artistic speech in audiobooks through a user-focused lens. Drawing on theoretical insights into speech and on empirical data, the study reveals that a captivating listening experience is significantly contingent on the narrator's adeptness in pronunciation and prosody, coupled with refined speaking abilities. The essence of effective narration rests upon pronunciation that is exemplary, subtle, and dynamic without being overly emotive, and refrains from excessive emphasis on intentionality. Such narration facilitates successful semantic and prosodic interpretation, as well as the creation of vivid mental imagery.
While the scope of the thesis is confined to blind and visually impaired readers, the unique characteristics of the audio medium allow for the findings to be applied more broadly to the general population. The research culminates in guidelines and recommendations for audiobook narration. This study stands as the first of its kind in Slovenia and beyond, providing an intricate examination of speech in audiobooks. The findings illuminate the complex nature of narratorial work and provoke a discussion on the artistic merit of the narrator as a co-author of the audiobook. Moreover, they recognise the audiobook itself as a form of artistic expression. Finally, the research underscores the necessity for further interdisciplinary exploration of speech in audiobooks, especially given their burgeoning popularity.
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