Abstract

In recent years, requirements for film subtitle translation quality are becoming higher and higher because the masses tend to be more knowledgeable and aesthetically up-leveled. According to the features of the film subtitle, its translation should be clear, concise and intelligible. However, current studies on film subtitle translation are immature, and a theoretical system is still not formed as the guide to film subtitle translation.

Information in the film is conveyed to the audience via sounds, subtitles and images. Domestic audience may encounter various difficulties in appreciating foreign films because of linguistic and cultural disparities. Under such circumstances, if the film subtitle can be translated successfully, gaps between source language receivers and target language receivers will be bridged and audience can better appreciate foreign films. 

This thesis focuses on film subtitle translation from the perspective of Nida’s functional equivalence. It first reviews the definition, classification and features of film subtitles as well as constraints and current situation of film subtitle translation. It follows to analyze the possibility and necessity of functional equivalence adopted in film subtitle translation. On this basis, it discusses translation equivalence from the perspectives of semantics, formality and culture. Then it takes the film Avatar as a case to figure out how to apply translation strategies to achieve equivalence in film subtitle translation. It finally points out the flaws existing in the thesis and brings the thesis to a natural conclusion.

Key words: film subtitle; translation; functional equivalence

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction.1

2 Literature review1

2.1 An overview of subtitling and subtitle translation..1

  2.1.1 Definition of subtitling.2

  2.1.2 Classification of subtitling..2

  2.1.3 Features of film subtitle.3

  2.1.4 Constraints of film subtitle translation.4

  2.1.5 Current situations of film subtitle translation.4

2.2 Funtional equivalence..5

  2.2.1 Introduction to functional equivalence.6

  2.2.2 Principles for producing functional equivalence...7

  2.2.3 Implications of producing functional equivalence..8

3 Functional equivalence in film subtitle translation..8

3.1 The possibility of functional equivalence applied in subtitle translation.8

  3.1.1 The concept of “Equivalence on Varying Degree”..9

  3.1.2 Intercommunication between two languages.9

  3.1.3 Similarities between different cultures.10

  3.2 Necessity of functional equivalence applied in subtitle translation.11

  3.3 Three forms of equivalence in subtitle translation...12

4 Functional equivalence in the case of Avatar...13

  4.1 Introduction to the film Avatar13

  4.2 Functional equivalence in the subtitle translation of Avatar.13

  4.2.1 Linguistic equivalence.14

  4.2.2 Stylistic equivalence..16

  4.2.3 Cultural equivalence.18

5 Conclusion..21

References .22