Audiovisual Translation Study From A Cultural Perspective

With the quick development of modern science and technology, all parts of the world seem to be combined together by audiovisual media of different kinds: radio, TV, computer, etc. As a way of cultural exchange, audiovisual media is becoming more and more important in the present society and it will most probably be the same in the future. It is quick, popular, and diverse, which makes it easily accepted by almost all the modern human beings.In this case, AVT is also becoming more and more distinguished in the field of translation studies. This dissertation is to discuss the connections between culture and AVT, and deal with some specific problems that are always encountered by translators in the field of AVT.The first chapter deals with some general elements about AVT. Definitions of AVT are introduced at first. Then according to the classifications, the two main categories, namely subtitling and dubbing, are introduced from the aspects of definitions and characteristics. Next is the development of AVT not only in China but also throughout the world.The second chapter mainly focuses on the connections between culture and translation. The concept of culture is the topic of the first part of this chapter. As a vital part of human communication, language plays a similar part in translation. In translation some special words that are connected with culture present themselves in different contexts and thus bear special connotations. How to appropriately translate this kind of words into the target language, according to this chapter, lies in whether they should be domesticated or foreignized, or using a combined way.In Chapter Three the AVT practice from the cultural perspective is presented. Firstly, there are some basic principles proposed for AVT: foreignization, domestication and a combined way of both. In some cases, dubbing can be used as a form of domestication, while subtitling as a form of foreignisation. Then this chapter focuses more on the translation practice. The translation of titles and the translation of dialogues are the main topics. Among these, the translation of puns and the translation of humor that are culture-related are not only difficult but also challenging.Finally it should be stated again that culture is really a field full of miseries and not easy to explore. Still in this thesis a tentative study is made to do AVT from a cultural perspective, for audiovisual media is so popular nowadays and plays a very important role in this information age. Foreignization and domestication, which have been applied to many fields of translation and proved to be quite efficient, can be a wise choice in doing AVT. To enhance the cultural exchange it is strongly recommended that we focus more attention on AVT study from a cultural perspective.