On Subtitle Translation Of Garfield:a Tail Of Two Kitties From The Perspective Of Skopostheorie

In recent years, the field of subtitle translation of film has been receiving more and more attention from specialists and scholars along with the deepening development of globalization and booming number of foreign films. However in China, the study of subtitle translation is rather delayed and previous studies for the most part are summaries of practical experiences. Compared with traditional translation research, research of subtitle translation is gravely insufficient in number. No mature and systematic theory has been formed in this field. The truth is many fan subs stay active on the internet with the competence in translation on the part of subtitle translators and their translation work greatly diverged. It seems domestic subtitle translation activities relatively lack practical regulations.On the grounds of Skopostheorie, subtitle translation should obey the rule of Skopos, coherence and fidelity. Subtitle translation is a purposeful activity whose entire process including translation method all depends on the Skopos of subtitle translation. The specific purpose of subtitle translation of a film is determined jointly by initiators of the translation activity, i.e. the director and the playwright; and addressees of target text, i.e. the foreign audience. Therefore, whether or not a translation adequately achieves its Skopos is the standard of subtitle translation criticism and assessment.This thesis makes an attempt to provide a case study of two subtitle translation versions of Garfield:A Tail of Two Kitties in light of Skopostheorie. Discussing subtitle translation as a interpersonal interaction, a intercultural action and a text-processing action and a purposeful action, at the same time taking the director’s and the playwright’s intentions as well as the target readers’expectations into consideration, the author analyzes typical examples chosen in the source text to check if the two fan subs have fulfilled certain Skopos. Problems and defects in their translations are pointed out after thorough analysis followed by advisable translation methods and preferable translations. The author tries her best to make this thesis become a successful case study combined theory with translation practice, hoping it will contribute to raise the level of quality of English-Chinese subtitle translation from the aspect of theory and methodology.There are five chapters in this thesis. Chapter one introduces the thesis structure, research background and research issues of subtitle translation. Chapter two reviews the definition, features and constraints of subtitle. The previous studies worked out by scholars from abroad and at home are also included in this chapter. Chapter Three briefly discusses the Skopostheorie and its feasibility of application in subtitle translation. Chapter Four takes Garfield:A Tail of Two Kitties as a case in order to learn particular strategies adopted by fan subs. Chapter Five reaches a conclusion of the whole paper, giving an account of research limitations and blueprint of subtitle translation in future.