Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The Purpose and Significance of the Study-1

1.2 The Structure of the Thesis-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Acamedic Knowledge Involved in the Thesis-3

2.2 Previous Studies of Vague Language and Relevance Theory at Home and Abroad-3

Chapter Three Strategies in Translating Vague Language from the Perspective of Relevance Theory-5

3.1 Characteristics of Vague Language-5

3.1.1 Lack of Conjunction-5

3.1.2 Changeability-5

3.1.3 Beauty of Implicitness-5

3.2 Pragmatic Effects of Vague Language-5

3.2.1 Politeness and Self-protection-6

3.2.2 Appropriateness-6

3.2.3 Negative Effects-7

3.3 Strategies in Translating Vague Language under Relevance Theory-7

3.3.1 Foreignization-8

3.3.1.1 Word-for-word Translation-8

3.3.1.2 Amplification-8

3.3.2 Domestication-9

3.3.2.1 Free Translation-9

3.3.2.2 Ellipsis-10

Chapter Four Conclusion-12

4.1 Major Findings of the Study-12

4.2 Limitations of the Study-12

References-13

Abstract

With the rapid development of our society, the world has become a shrinking global village, which enables cross-cultural communication more and more frequent. Films, as a kind of communicative medium, play a vital role in cultural transmission. Lots of foreign films have great impacts on our values and the film subtitle is the uppermost way to know what the film is about for most people. Thus, the translation of subtitles is very important. 

Vague language, the stumbling block in translating film subtitle, is used by people when they are uncertain and imprecise about their expressions. Relevance Theory, put forward in 1980s, is the interpretation of language communication in the field of linguistics. Due to cultural differences between the West and China, vague language in films contains distinct connotations. Therefore, with the assistance of relevance theory, it is relatively easy to facilitate the quality of translation, especially the translation of vague language.

And this thesis sheds some light on the understanding of vague language from the perspective of relevance theory in order to find out appropriate translation principles and strategies. Firstly, it reviews the concept of vague language, relevance theory, translation strategies and close relationship among them. Then, on the basis of the analysis of these terms, many examples are employed to explore two translation strategies of vague language, i.e. foreignization and domestication, which includes translation techniques such as amplification, ellipsis and free translation. Finally, a conclusion is drawn which is conducive for translators to render vague language in film subtitles.

Keywords: vague language  relevance theory  subtitle translation