Influence Of Skopos Theory And Reception Aesthetics On Subtitle Translation

With its reform and opening policy, China is increasingly involved inglobalization. China’s attachment with the world is becoming closer. Numerousexcellent foreign films and TV programs are introduced to China as a result ofcultural exchange, consequently making subtitle translations occupy a critical position.Successful subtitle translation enables audiences to enjoy exotic things and in turnspread culture. Nevertheless, translation of foreign films and TV programs has notaroused enough attention. Research of theories in this field still needs to be enhanced.This kind of situation is especially grim in China. China lags far behind internationalmarkets in subtitle translation. China can’t satisfy its audiences’ needs to watch theoriginal foreign films and TV programs.This dissertation tries to study subtitle translation from the Skopos Theory putforward by the German Functionalism School and the Reception Aesthetics by theConstance School. According to the Skopos Theory, any kind of activity is motivatedby its purpose. The purpose of translation determines translation strategy. SkoposTheory got rid of “the equivalence” theory, which had been praised in the translationcircle for long years. Skopos Theory requires no absolute equivalence, as in somecircumstances, absolute equivalence can’t be achieved. The purpose of subtitletranslation lies in gaining box office, then to disseminate culture. There are three rulesof Skopos Theroy: skopos rule, coherence rule, fidelity rule. In subtitle translation,skopos rule is the supreme rule. The other two rules should serve skopos rule.Reception Aesthetics and Skopos Theory are complementary. Reception Aestheticsemphasizes reader’s role, and reader’s relation with the texts. In line with ReceptionAesthetics, the meaning of any text is indeterminate before readers add their ownunderstanding to the text. Only through readers’ interpretation can literary works havevalues. Reader’s comprehension capability is closely related with his own expectation,knowledge, value, social culture and norms of his society. Proceeding from theframework of Skopos Theory and Reception Aesthetics, taking into account of characteristics of subtitle translation, this dissertation provides subtitle translationstrategies for American film The Shawshank Redemption.This dissertation can be divided into several parts. In Introduction, the authortells the significance of subtitle translation and the structure of this dissertation.Chapter1introduces the history and characteristics of subtitle translation. Chapter2introduces the Skopos Theory put forward by the German Functionalim School and itsinfluence on subtitle translation. Chapter3introduces Reception Aesthetics by theConstance School and its influence on subtitle translation. In Chapter4, the authortakes The Shawshank Redemption as a case and proposes certain strategies for itssubtitle translation. Last part is conclusion. In this part, the author summarizes thewhole dissertation.