On E-C Film Subtitle Translation Based On German Functionalism

As a part of mass culture, films are gaining population throughout the world. Introducing foreign films into domestic market is becoming a significant way of international communication. However, for most of the Chinese audience, the source language is really hard to be understood, and it has become a main obstacle in the process of communication. Therefore, film translation is quite an urgent task nowadays. Dubbing and subtitle translation are two essential ways of film translation practice. Compared with dubbing, subtitle translation is cheap in cost and less consuming in terms of time, which makes it be adopted widely in practice. Yet, the relatively short history and the immature theory framework are also facts of subtitle translation. Nowadays, film subtitle translation is generally of low quality which requires researches in this field to be carried out extensively.This thesis is a tentative study of film subtitle translation based on German Functionalism. And that is to say, film subtitle translation is considered as an activity in this paper whose main purpose is to stir the same or similar response among the target audience as the source audience does. Both the source language and its meaning are now just tools for achieving the main purpose. And all principles and strategies should be made in accordance with the main purpose. In other words, the end justifies the means. The aim of this paper is to carry on some researches on the very subject presuming upon being of some help to the translation practice. There are mainly six chapters in all,The first chapter is an introduction part which includes background, purpose, framework and significance,as well as the research method of this research. The second chapter is literature review. In this chapter, literatures at home and abroad are studies carefully, according to which research characteristics are sorted out respectively. Besides, it is clear that Chinese studies are characterized with late beginning and low quality. The third chapter is the theory framework of the thesis where German Functionalism is analyzed in quite a detailed way. Essential concepts from this theory are elaborated on. The fourth chapter is a brief introduction of film subtitles, including definition, categories, characteristics and functions. The fifth chapter is the most important parts throughout the thesis. Functions of film subtitle translation are analyzed first. carefully in chapter five with carefully selected illustrations. Chapter six is the conclusion part in which core contents, limitations and suggestions for future studies are all presented.To sum up, this paper studies film subtitle translation from the main theories of German Functionalism with a focus on specific principles and strategies that fit into the particular field. Meanwhile, it pays great attention to cultural factors since it is the culture differences that are really difficult to translate. Lastly, the thesis is made in the hope of helping to improve the film subtitle translation in terms of practice, and promoting the development of film subtitle translation in terms of theory.