Abstract:The movie, as a kind of audiovisual art with high commercial values, has been swarming into China since reform and opening-up. Like the brand name of a commodity, the film title exerts great influence on box office and film's dissemination. Therefore, the translation of film title is of great significance. In China, owing to different translation methods, a movie may be given various Chinese names. To some extent, it causes chaos in movie title translation. Originated in 1970s, Skopos theory abandons the debate over literal or free translation and points out that "the end justifies the means". This theory enriches translation theories, providing a brand new angle to movie title translation.           

  This thesis first analyzes the features and functions of English film titles, and then introduces the concept and basic principles of Skopos theory and cites lots of examples to illustrate the application of its principles. At last, four translation strategies for English movie title--transliteration, literal translation, free translation, adaptation are put forward under the guidance of Skopos theory. 

Key words: movie title translation; functions; Skopos theory; translation strategies

Contents

中文摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

  1.1 Previous Researches or Findings in Movie Title Translation-1

  1.2 Significance of My Study-1

  1.3 Research Methods and Uniqueness of This Thesis-1

  1.4 Structure of This Thesis-2

Chapter 2 A General Review of English Movie Titles-3

2.1Features of English Movie Titles-3

2.2 Functions of English Movie Titles-3

 2.2.1 Informative Function-3

 2.2.2 Expressive Function-4

 2.2.3 Aesthetic Function-4

 2.2.4 Vocative Function-5

Chapter 3 Skopos Theory and E-C Translation of English Movie Titles-7

3.1 Skopos Theory-7

3.2 Application of Skopos Theory in E-C Translation of English Movie Titles-8

Chapter 4 Translation Strategies Under the Guidance of Skopos Theory-11

4.1 Transliteration-11

4.2 Literal Translation-11

4.3 Free Translation-12

4.4 Adaptation-12

Chapter 5 Conclusion-15

References-17

Acknowledgements-19