Abstract: This thesis is aimed to discover the specific usage and significance of literal translation and free translation in subtitle translation.  Examples of the above-mentioned translation methods will be extracted from The Shawshank Redemption, a well-known film. The first part of the thesis is a brief introduction to the film and the author’s research purpose. The second part discusses the definition and value of the two translation methods, also the increasing importance of subtitle translation. In the third part, the author will give examples of the two methods in the film and analyze them in detail. The last part is a conclusion which explores the respective significance of literal and free translation in subtitle translation.

Key words: literal translation, free translation, subtitle translation

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction1

2.Literal and Free Translation in Film Subtitling2

2.1 Literal and Free Translation 

2.1.1 Literal Translation

2.1.2Free translation

2.2 Film Subtitling

2.2.1 Film Translation

2.2.2 Importance of Subtitle Translation

3. Literal and Free Translation in Subtitles of The Shawshank Redemption.6

3.1 Application of Literal Translation

3.1.1 Examples 

3.1.2 Reflection

3.2 Application of Free Translation

3.2.1 Examples

3.2.2 Reflection

4. Conclusion.10

Bibliography12

Acknowledgements.13