An Analysis Of Subtitle Translation Of Red Cliff From The Perspective Of Skopostheorie

With the advent of the information age, cross-cultural communications are becomingincreasingly frequent and significant. As a carrier of culture, film has become an indispensableway of culture expression. Due to the differences among languages, only through the subtitlescan most audiences comprehensively understand the contents and essence of foreign films andappreciate them from the sound and sight. Therefore, a new translation area—subtitle translationcame into being. Chinese film translation has been showing its mounting significance incross-cultural activities. Especially since China’s entry into the WTO, Chinese culture hasattracted many foreigners who are interested in Chinese history. However, the status of Chinesefilm in international film market is very low. In order to inherit Chinese historical culture andstrengthen the influence of Chinese film in international film market, it is of special significanceto give excellent subtitle translations.Hans Vermeer put forward Skopostheorie which provided a powerful theoretical basis forChinese film subtitle translation. This thesis takes the core of the functionalist translation theoryof German School—Skopostheorie as the theoretical basis and a Chinese historical film Red Cliffas a case study. The author made a further research on the feasibility of applying Skopostheorieto subtitle translation, for proper subtitle translation strategies should be taken according todifferent purposes (Skopos). The thesis explained how the translator chose proper translationstrategies during the process of film subtitle translation under the guidance of three rules ofSkopostheorie. Through the analysis of the three rules of Skopostheorie adopted in the case studyand the translation strategies under the guidance of Skopostheorie, the author aims to make moreaudience accept and appreciate the film so as to increase the box office, to achieve thecommercial value of the film in the target language culture in the largest scale. It’s of greatsignificance and value by applying the Skopostheorie to guiding subtitle translation. Accordingto Skopostheorie, subtitle translation is a purposeful activity. The top-ranking rule that guides thewhole process of film subtitle translation is its purpose (Skopos). The version can not only bedecided by the translator himself. During the process of subtitle translation, the expectations anddemands of the audience and the intention of the director should also be taken into consideration.It’s the author’s hope that deep understanding of translation theories can be achieved and more scholars will devote their efforts to studying this new translation area—subtitle translation,improving translation strategies that are improperly employed in the case study, truly realizingthe cultural and commercial value of the film.