A Study On Subtitle Translation Strategies In American TV Plays From The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence

As the communication between China and the western world deepens, more and more foreign audiovisual products are flowing into China, among which are American TV plays. Owing to language barrier and culture difference, common audiences have to depend on translated subtitles to understand and appreciate those works. Under this circumstance, subtitle translation has become a new area in translation practice, playing an indispensable role in cross-cultural communication.Same as literary translation, subtitle translation requires theoretical guidance as well. Subtitle translation is different from traditional translation because of its own unique traits. However, through reviewing previous studies, we can see that researches on subtitle translation are far from systematic and mature. Especially in China, there is no systemic theory concerning this field yet. Fortunately, some overseas scholars have proposed relatively mature translation theories which could provide us a valuable theoretic support. Therefore, we need to carry out further research on how to better guide subtitle translation with certain translation theories.In light of the above problems, this thesis attempts to explore the application of Eugene Nida’s functional equivalence theory while subtitling. Functional equivalence regards receptor response as its core,emphasizing that the essence of translation is to reproduce the source message with the closest natural equivalence in the target language. And,a successful subtitle translation requires that the target audiences’ reaction to the target text should be similar to the original audiences. Hence, the author believes that functional equivalence could be applied to the study of subtitle translation.Under the guidance of functional equivalence, this thesis analyzes the translation strategies adopted in the American TV play House of Cards. Through in-depth analysis of the translation quality of the typical examples, this thesis concludes some strategies in subtitle translation,including literal translation, free translation, domestication, foreignization,addition, deletion, conversion, modification, etc. This thesis finally points out that functional equivalence could offer a new sight and guide the practice of subtitle translation effectively, which also provide references for future audiovisual translation. In the meantime, the author hopes to call for more attention to this rather new field of translation.