A Study Of Xinhualufang Subtitle Translation Under The Guidance Of Skopostheorie

With the deepening cross cultural communication, the film and TV programs are performing an increasingly important role. And more and more domestic products begin to swarm into foreign screens. A good movie subtitles can not only help to transfer the spirit accurately, but to promote the cross-cultural communication and enhance the friendship between two nations. For it is newly-born in China, in theory, film subtitle translation has received little scholarly attention. In practice, the quality of film subtitle translation is yet to be improved.“Skopos Theory” is used as a theoretical framework of this thesis. The author makes a case study of Xinhualufang to find appropriate methods to achieve audience-oriented translation. According to Skopos Theory, film subtitle translation is an action with purpose, which is to transmit the most relevant information in the most efficient way to audience in certain cultural background. Xinhualufang, as a commercial film, is to earn money as much as possible. In terms of TT receivers’ expectation, they mainly expect to enjoy the film while get to know Chinese daily life better. Based on the kopos Theory and characteristics of subtitle, the author tries to achieve audience-oriented translation.This thesis consists of five chapters : Chapter One is about introduction. Chapter Two involves the general information about film subtitles, meanwhile it introduces the constraints and functions of subtitle translation. Chapter Three sets up theoretical framework-Skopostheorie. The applicability of the Skopostheorie to the film subtitle translation is discussed. Meanwhile, based on the Skopostheorie and functions of film subtitle mentioned in the Chapter Two, the suitable principles of film subtitle translation are proposed to guide practice. Chapter Four discusses the characteristics and physical limitations of film subtitles translation which result in major constraints in film subtitle translation and elaborates relevant strategies of film subtitle translation with many persuasive and forceful examples. Chapter Five is the conclusion.