Abstract: Over the past few years, more and more Chinese films have been introduced abroad. Therefore, the translation of film subtitles is of increasing importance as it is expected to enable foreign audiences to appreciate Chinese films more effectively and to promote cultural exchange. Film subtitle translation is a new field and develops quickly, yet there is still much room to be explored in the aspect of the quality of Chinese film subtitle translation. Based on the perspective of communicative translation theory, the author focuses on Chinese-English film subtitle translation. The paper analyzes the strategies under the principle of information transmission, aesthetics, and emotion to deal with Chinese film subtitle translation with some examples which are chosen from a well-known domestic film, The Flowers of War. The paper intends to explore the applicability of communicative translation theory and provide guidance for Chinese film subtitle translation practice.

Key words: film subtitle translation; communicative translation theory; subtitle translation principles; subtitle translation strategies

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction and Previous Study

1.1 Previous Studies on Film Subtitle Translation

1.2Purpose and Significance of the Research

2.Theoretical Framework

2.1Semantic Translation and Communicative Translation

2.2Language Functions and Text-types

3.Applicability of Communicative Translation Theory—a Case Study of The Flowers of War 3

3.1Guiding significance of Communicative Translation in Film Subtitle

3.2Subtitle Translation Principles under the Guidance of Communicative Translation

3.3 Analysis of Specific Subtitle Translation Strategies Adopted in The Flowers of War

4.Conclusion

References