Abstract

The film is one of the most influential mass media which has both commercial and artistic values. With the development of globalization, we have more opportunities to enjoy the elaborate, wonderful and exciting foreign films. At the same time, more and more excellent domestic films have also been attracted the attention of the international cinematic circles. In this process, translation is the most important procedure to make the Chinese film can be accepted by foreign audiences. And film title translation is the most important part in translation which plays the role of explanation, advertisement and promotion. At present, there are many studies about E-C film title translation, but C-E film title translation is scanty. Therefore, film title translation is important to disseminate Chines culture to the world.

The theoretical framework of the thesis is the Skopos theory which promotes the audience is the orientation of film title translation. The Skopos theory believes that translation is a purposeful activity. Under the Skopos theory, translating film title is to achieve its informative, aesthetic and vocative functions. From the perspective of Skopos theory, each translation strategy has its advantages and disadvantages in film title translation. Some translation strategies including transliteration, literal translation, free translation, addition, omission and others can be used in Chinese film title translation. The Skopos theory not only provides a feasible theory for the translators, but also gives the translator more freedom to choose the proper strategy.

Key words: Chinese film title translation; Skopos theory; aesthetic and commercial functions；translation strategies

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-1

1.3 Overall Structure-1

2 Literature Review-.2

2.1 The Stages of Functionalist Skopos theory-2

2.2 The Previous Study of Chinese Film title Translation-3

2.3 The Current Situation of Chinese Film Title Translation-3

3 Theoretical Framework-4

3.1 Introduction to Skopos theory-4

3.2 The Purpose of Translation Under Skopos theory-4

3.3 Guiding principles-5

3.4 Summary-6

4 Profile of Chinese film title-6

4.1 Brief introduction to film-6

4.2 Features of film title-7

4.3 A comparative study of English and Chinese film titles-8

4.4 Naming Approaches of Chinese Film Titles -9

 5 Application of Chinese Film Title Translation under Skopos Theory-10

5. 1 Skopos theory’s Approach to Chinese Film Title Translation-10

5. 2The Guiding Principles of Translating Chinese Film Titles from Skopos Theory-11

5. 3 Strategies employed in the translation of Chinese film title -12

6 Conclusion -15

References -17

Acknowledgement  -18