Abstract:This thesis aims at investigating “multiple translations of one title” of English award-winning movies. Firstly, it begins with the common phenomenon and fact that many English award-winning movies’ title can be translated into more than one Chinese version. Then it analyzes some possible causes that will lead to this phenomenon from the perspectives of social and cultural background, translation means, translator factors, and orientation of movie. Thirdly it focuses on three effects that different versions bring about, namely enriched means of translation, diversified aesthetic appreciation, and confusing situation. Afterwards, it illustrates the stated points with the help of one English movie called The Lord of the Rings from the 4 perspectives mentioned in Part 2. In the end, the thesis concludes that it is not easy or unwise to judge which translated Chinese version is superior or not because apparently many factors may affect how a movie title is to be translated and why. The evaluation duty should also be on audiences. This thesis puts forward suggestions too for future research.

Key words: “multiple translations of one title”; social and cultural background; orientation of movie; translator; audiences

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction1

2. Causes of “Multiple Translations of One Title”1

2.1 Different Social and Cultural Background

2.2 Various Translation Means

2.3 Unequal Levels of Translator

2.4 Different Orientation of Movie

3. Effects of “Multiple Translations of One Title” .5

3.1 Enriched Means of Translation

3.2 Diversified Aesthetic Appreciation

3.3 Confusing Situation

4. Case Analysis of The Lord of the Rings7

4.1 Social and Cultural Background

4.2 Translation Means

4.3 Translator

4.4 Orientation of Movie

4.5 Audiences

5. Conclusion10

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12