For decades, Syria has played a leading role in the dubbing sphere, as it was one of the first Arab countries that helped transition this art to a complete industry that combined creativity and professionalism. Syrian dubbing had a profound effect on the Arab viewer, whether it was through translating foreign shows to Arabic, or through adapting these works to suit the local culture.
The 50s and 60s
Dubbing in Syria started through the radio, where translated audio works were broadcasted. Later on, this process was adapted into television with the dubbing of Mexican TV shows, which became popular among Arab viewers.

The 70s and 80s

This period had significant developments in dubbing techniques, with studios in Damascus dubbing animated shows such as “The Smurfs” and “The Adventures of Sinbad,” which gained popularity thanks to the skillful vocal performances and the smooth communication of dialogue.

The 90s – The Golden Age

With the spread of satellite TV channels, the Syrian dubbing industry entered its golden age. It became common for the Arab viewer to hear the sounds of Syrian voice actors in some of the most popular animes, such as “Detective Conan,” “Captain Tsubasa,” and “Grendizer,” in addition to the Mexican shows that occupied a special place on the Arab screens.

The 2000s – Global Expansion

Syrian dubbing was not limited to anime and Latin American shows, but grew to include Turkish Dramas, making them popular in the Arab world. Shows such as “Gümüş” and “Ihlamurlar Altında” contributed to cementing the Syrian dialect as a familiar language to viewers from across the Arab countries, which contributed to the spread of this type of dubbing.

Reasons for the Syrian Dominance in Dubbing

• The formal Arabic: Syrian dubbing relied on a clear and formal Arabic, which made it easy to understand for all Arabic speakers, regardless of their local dialects.
• The quality of the voice acting: Thanks to their experience in theatre and drama, Syrian actors provided distinguished vocal performances that added depth and realism to characters.
• Attention to detail: The commitment to synchronisation of the sound to the movement of lips, while maintaining the spirit of the original script to enhance the realism of scenes.
• Cultural understanding: Scripts were reformatted to fit with Arab culture and values, without affecting the essence of the story or the characters.

Syrian dubbing was and still is a part of the heritage of Arab media, as it left an unforgettable mark on viewers by combining creativity and linguistic quality. Whether in the world of animated shows or foreign works, Syrian dubbing formed a cultural bridge between the Arab world and all over the globe, becoming a landmark of Arab media.