Abstract

Since the 1970s and 1980s, the pace of opening to the outside world of our country has gradually accelerated, and the cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries have been developing day by day. The artistic and cultural exchanges between China and the English-speaking countries have become increasingly frequent. 

The film title, which is considered as a film’s facade, soul and horn, burdens the task to pass the first-hand information to the audience. An excellent film title translation not only conveys beauty, but also directly stimulates the audience's interest in watching the film. However, many film title translations lack the guidance of effective translation theories, which as a result may lead to the reduce of audience's viewing interest and the loss of box office.

This paper will use functional equivalence theory to explore the translation of film titles from the cultural and linguistic aspects. As for the cultural aspect, it will study from western value, aesthetic features, thinking model and other factors. For the language aspect, it will study from literal translation, addition and some other aspects. 

In the first chapter of the thesis, the author briefly introduces the background, objective and method of the study on the English film title translation. In the second chapter, the author makes a literature review of the studies on film title translation theory. In the third chapter, the author introduces function of film title. In the fourth chapter, the author mainly illustrates the strategies of film title translation from the linguistic equivalence and culture equivalence. In the last chapter, the author concludes the thesis.

Key words: Functional equivalence theory; Film title; Translation; Culture

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction.1

1.1.Research background.1

1.2.Research purpose.2

1.3.Research method3

2.Literature Review3

2.1.Studies at home3

2.2.Studies at abroad4

3.Functions of the Film Title6

3.1.Informative function 6

3.2.Expressive function.6

3.3.Vocative function…7

3.4.Aesthetic function.7

4.Application of Functional Equivalence Theory in Film Title Translation.8

4.1.Linguistic equivalence in English film title translation.8

4.1.1.Metaphrase9

4.1.2.  Creation10

4.1.2.  Deletion11

4.1.4.  Addition.12

4.2.   Cultural Equivalence in Film Title Translation.12

4.2.1. Film title translation and language expression.12

4.2.2. Film title translation and aesthetic orientation13

4.2.3. Film title translation and thinking orientation14

5.Conclusion.16

Bibliography.17

Acknowledgments18