Abstract

Film subtitle translation is a process of dual transformation of language and culture. Translators are required to fulfill appropriate operation on information and culture in the films so as to achieve barrier-free communication with the audiences. Communicative translation theory was put forward by the British translation theorist Newmark who pointed out that communicative translation must be reader-oriented, and adopt flexible translation methods. It lays emphasis on free expressions in translation without necessarily being constrained by the language structure and form of the original text, in order to achieve the purpose of information communication and cultural transmission. Hence, the concern of this theory is exactly what the film subtitle translation tries to work on, which provides positive and effective support and guidance for the study of subtitle translation. 

Taking the animated film Finding Nemo as an example, this thesis made a study on subtitle translation from the perspective of communicative translation theory. Starting with the features, purpose and the target audience of subtitle translation, the thesis discussed the connotation and text types of communicative translation, and then illustrated the translation methods under the guidance of the theory. Next, combined with the specific examples, some subtitle translation strategies and methods under the guidance of the theory were explored in detail. This thesis, on the one hand, aims to verify the practicability of communicative translation theory, on the other hand to explore correct processing of cultural information in film translation, as well as the specific translation strategies and methods. 

Key words: communicative translation theory; subtitle translation; Finding Nemo; translation strategy

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

1.1 The Significance of the Research-1

1.2 The Objective and Content of the Research-2

2 Literature Review-2

2.1 Definition and Characteristics of Subtitle-2

2.2 Purpose and Target Audience of Subtitle Translation-4

2.3 Previous Studies on Subtitle Translation-5

3 Communicative Translation Theory-6

3.1 Connotation of the Theory-6

3.2 Peter Newmark’s Theory of Text-type-7

3.3 Translation Methods Under the Guidance of the Theory-7

4 Application of Communicative Translation Theory in Subtitle Translation of Finding Nemo-9

4.1 A General Introduction to Finding Nemo-9

4.2 Applicability of Communicative Translation Theory in Subtitle Translation-10

4.3 Subtitle Translation Principles Based on Communicative Translation Theory-11

4.4 Translation Strategies Adopted in Finding Nemo-12

4.5 Specific Translation Methods in Finding Nemo-14

5 Conclusion-17

References-19