On Film Subtitle Translation From The Perspective Of Communication Science

With the tendency of globalization, more and more import of foreign films and the export of domestic films, audiovisual translation has been arousing the attention of many scholars. Subtitle translation as one kind of audiovisual translations has become a dominant position on the Internet and in the family theater for its economy and effectiveness. At present, studies on this field can be found from the perspectives of relevancy theory, text types, cross cultural communication and Skopos of the functionalist theory. However, the film itself is to convey information and exchange culture,therefore, there is room for studying film subtitle translation from the perspective of communication science. Based on predecessors'research, this paper attempts to apply the communication model and the information theory to subtitle translation. After analyzing some communication barriers and possible problems in the process of subtitle translation, the author puts forward some translation strategies to cope with these problems.In the third Chapter, this paper first expounds American scholar Lasswell's 5W unidirectional communication model, (Who, says what, in which channel, to whom, with what effect), and then the paper combines with Shannon and Weaver's information theory , probing into all kinds of communication barriers and restrictive elements in the process of subtitle translation. In Chapter Four, the paper analyzes one cartoon move Finding Nemo and two feature movies the Crazy Stone and the Banquet under the guidance of the"information theory"and the theory of"communicator as a gatekeeper". It is suggested that in order to achieve the best communication result, subtitlers should appropriately display their subjectivity under the principles of balance translation and legibility.From the analysis, the author draws three enlightenments on movie subtitle translation from communication science:1. Information transmission and cultural exchange are the essence of subtitle translation. In the process of subtitle translation, the translator is inevitably disturbed by some noises, such as language forms, foreign cultures, and different modes of thinking. Adding proper redundancy is able to overcome the noise interference, adjust the communication load, and avoid the distortion of information communication. But both adding and reduction of redundant message should follow the principles of the balance translation and readability. Excessive messages may surpass the receptors' needs, and the repetitive or familiar messages will not satisfy the receptors'horizons of expectation. Insufficient messages may lead to a distortion of information communication and cross-cultural communication barriers.2. Movie subtitle translation is a purposeful activity. The basic requirement is to satisfy the audiences' anticipation. Receptors'gratifications are the premise and touchstone of a successful audiovisual communication. However, the receptors'feedback is always delayed in film communication, so subtitlers'inner feedback plays an important role. Subtitle translators should properly display their subjectivity in the process of audiovisual translation.3. In the process of subtitle translation, translators are not supposed to display their subjectivity freely. They should take the receptors'channel capacity into account and they should choose appropriate strategies according to the needs of the receptors, the type of films and the features of subtitle translation.