Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

  1.1 Background of the Study-1

  1.2 Significance of the Study-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

  2.1 Related Issues-3 

    2.1.1 Subtitle Translation and Its Classification-3

    2.1.2 Relevance Theory-3

  2.2 Previous Studies-4

    2.2.1 Studies on Relevance Theory-4

    2.2.2 Studies on Subtitle Translation-4

    2.2.3 Studies on Subtitle Translation from the Perspective of Relevance Theory -5

Chapter Three Analysis of Subtitle Translation in Desperate Housewives Season 8 from the Perspective of Relevance Theory-6

  3.1 Background of Desperate Housewives-6

  3.2 Strategies Applied in Subtitle Translation of Desperate Housewives-6

    3.2.1 Literal Translation-7

    3.2.2 Free Translation-8

Chapter Four Conclusion-12

  4.1 Findings of the Present Study-12

  4.2 Limitation of the Study-12

References-13

Abstract

From the perspective of cognitive science, the thesis will take Sperber and Wilson’s Relevance Theory as a theoretical basis to study the subtitle translation. From the dynamic communicative context, take Desperate Housewives (Season 8) as the research carrier, to research on subtitle translation. Through the help of subtitles, we can enjoy the drama, understand different life and culture, folk, ideas and values. Subtitle translation has its own characteristics. The optimal relevance principle is the cognitive basis for the speaker to produce the contextual effect. Once this principle is applied to the subtitle translation, it means that the film subtitles should help the audience to pay the minimum effort to get the best contextual effect of the film.

This thesis will be divided into four parts. The first chapter is the introduction, mainly covering the research background, the purpose and significance of the study. The second chapter is literature review, which mainly states some basic concepts and previous studies. The third chapter is the main part of the article, in which the subtitle translation strategies will be combined with Desperate Housewives (Season 8), using literal translation and free translation which contains amplification, omission form of translation methods. The last chapter is the conclusion, including the major findings of this study, limitations and suggestions for further study. 

Key words:   Relevance Theory   Desperate Housewives (Season 8)  translation strategies