Subtitle Translation In Farewell, My Concubine

Subtitle translation, an indispensable part in films distributed in the foreign markets, is yet to gain sufficient attention from translation studies. Most of the past studies on it were conducted by practitioners and therefore lacked theoretical systematic description. In view of this, the author tries to conduct a systematic study on subtitle translation within the framework of German functionalist translation theories.From a functionalist perspective, subtitle translation is a skopos-constrained activity. It is therefore essential to define the skopos before a translation begins. To define the skopos, extra-linguistic factors should come into play, which ideally are specified within a commission or translation brief. Subtitle translation is also an interpersonal interaction, in which many agents involve and affect the realization of a purposeful translation. Subtitle translation is then a text-processing action, during which the comparison between source and target text profiles, source text analysis and translation problems should be addressed so as to achieve the skopos.The case of Farewell, My Concubine is brought in for study from a functionalist angle. The author evaluates the translation by detailed text analysis, taking into account the extratextual factors shaping the translation. The subtitle translator is then brought to light, which is rarely done in China cases. Her account of the translation sheds light on translation practice, the evaluation of the target text and reveals the dilemma which subtitle translators face. Meanwhile, the validity of functionalism is under scrutiny.Functionalist theories, Skopostheorie in particular, justify the translator's dealing with the target text. Although the strategy and methods that she applies lead to the sacrifice of linguistic and cultural variation of the source language, the target text is still deemed as an adequate translation as it has fulfilled the skopos.Fueled by functionalist theories, the account of subtitle translation is reasonable and fruitful. By applying the theories into case study, we learn the applicability of functionalist theories in describing translation phenomena and guiding translation practice.