| Translation is an importantly communicative tool between different languages and cultures. Film, as a cultural carrier, also needs the involvement of translation. Film subtitle translation has become a more and more important field as the globalization of economy and culture is increasingly developed in the new century and a wealth of foreign films flock into Chinese film market. Good film subtitle translation can enhance the audience's experience of appreciating films and make the culture communication more effective.As a new field of translation, film subtitle translation has reached certain achievements. Because of the particularity of language situation in Europe, the relevant studies have proceeded in some width and depth in terms of practice, study and standard of film subtitle translation. However, due to lack of serious attention, the quality of Chinese film subtitle translation has been restrained by certain issues, such as the low level of academic research, unqualified translators and so on. In theory, film subtitle translation has received little scholarly attention. In practice, the quality of film subtitle translation is yet to be improved.This thesis which is expected as a reference of improving the quality of film subtitle translation, tries to study the English-Chinese subtitle translation from the perspective of Skopostheorie. In terms of Skopostheorie, film subtitle translation is a purposeful activity. The purpose of film subtitle translation is to provide, within the constraints of time and space, a well-translated subtitle which can contribute to a good understanding of what is happening on the screen so that attracts more viewers to go to the cinema and earns the highest box-office. To fulfill the purpose, translator should, based on the cultural phenomenon, follow certain principles and strategies in practices.The thesis consists of six chapters: Chapter One is about introduction. Chapter two involves the literary review. Chapter Three mainly introduces the characteristics and functions of film subtitles. Chapter Four sets up the theoretical framework-Skopostheorie. The applicability of the Skopostheorie to the film subtitle translation is discussed. Meanwhile, based on the Skopostheorie and functions of film subtitle mentioned in the Chapter Three, the suitable principles of film subtitle translation are proposed to guide the practice. Chapter Five discusses the characteristics and physical limitations of film subtitles translation which result in the major constraints in film subtitle translation and elaborates relevant strategies of film subtitle translation with many persuasive and forceful examples. Chapter Six is the conclusion which summaries the whole thesis and provides limitation of this study and the further suggestions about the field of film subtitle translationThis paper is an attempt to address the situation where the study of English-Chinese film subtitle translation has been done from the perspective of Skopostheorie. This study which mainly focuses on the principles and strategies of film subtitle translation is both theoretically and practically helpful. It is expected that more researchers will devote their efforts to this area for deeper insights. |
