A Research On The Subtitle Translation Strategies Of American TV Plays-From A Relevance-Adaptation Perspective

This paper aims to probe into the subtitle translation process and attempts to sum up some strategies of American TV plays by a Relevance-Adaptation Approach. This approach is based on Spcrbcr and Wilson's Relevance Theory(RT) and Verschueren's Adaptation Theory(AT).It aims that RT and AT together helps investigate the working of translator's mind.By doing this,I tentatively put forward the strategies of subtitle translation of American TV plays considering the unique characters of this process.In recent years,it is generally agreed that translation is a dynamic process involving the mental working of the translator.At the first step,to find the optimal relevance to the intention of the source language(SL),the translator's mind goes through an Interpreting Process(IP).At the second step,to work out better translation conveying all the meaning of the SL and coordinating with the language habit of the target language(TL),a Producing Process(PP) is a necessity.Translator as a mediator plays an important role in these two steps.In the present research,I resort to Sperber and Wilson's Relevance Theory which helps the translator finish Step One--IP,and Verschueren's Adaptation Theory(AT) which makes the translator achieve Step Two--PP.Then I probe into the translation of subtitles of current American TV plays.Subtitle translation needs to meet many requirements,such as proper length limited by the time,proper tone with accordance of the speaker,and proper information communication of the cultural background and context.Finally,we tentatively put forward some strategies to subtitle translation of the American TV plays,such as splitting of lines to make sure the completeness of each line; use of colloquial language to make more humorous effect;following the speaking habit of the target language and the converting and reconstructing of cultural images;the use of notes makes the audience less confusing,etc.