Abstract

This paper analyzes the current situations and common problems of movie title translations, at the mean time it also tells some basic methods on the translation of movie titles, and shows some requirements on the film title translation and to interpreters. At the end of the paper, we draw a conclusion that movie title translation has its unique characteristics. Although many problems on the current translation methods still exist, if we can summarize and reflect, if only we follow the basic translation principles and rules, we also can translate excellent movie titles.

Key words: movie title translation, characteristics, situation and problems, principles, requirements

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Features of Movie Titles-1

2.1 Art Feature-1

2.2Cultural feature-1

2.3 Social feature-1

2.4 Economic feature-2

3. Current Situation and Problems on the Translation of Movie Titles-2

3.1Current situation-2

3.2Problems on the translations of movie titles-2

3.2.1One movie has several translations and different regions always have their own unique translations-2

3.2.2 Excessive pursuit of advertising effect and making great commercial speculations on the translation of movie titles-2

3.2.3 Culture differences between English and Chinese makes translation not accurate enough.-2

4. Approaches on the Translations of Movie Titles-3

4.1 Literal translation-3

4.2Transliteration-3

4.3Free translation-3

4.4 Creative translation-4

5. Principles and Requirements on the Translations of Movie Titles-4

5.1Four principles on the translations of movie titles-4

5.1.1The informative value principle-5

5.1.2The cultural value principle-5

5.1.4The commercial value principle-6

5.2 Requirements on the translations of movie titles-6

References-7