Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-1

1.3 Structure of the Study-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-2

2.1 Introduction of Subtitle Translation-2

2.1.1 Definition-2

2.1.2 Classification-2

2.1.3 Technical Constraints-2

2.2 Previous Studies on Subtitle Translation-3

2.3 An Introduction to Theoretical Framework-4

Chapter Three Subtitle Translation of Forrest Gump from the Adaptability Perspective-6

3.1 An Introduction to Forrest Gump-6

3.2 Communicative Context and Subtitle Translation of Forrest Gump-6

3.2.1 Adaptation to the Mental World-6

3.2.2 Adaptation to the Social World-7

3.2.3 Adaptation to the Physical World-8

3.3 Linguistic Context and Subtitle Translation of Forrest Gump-9

3.3.1 Adaptation to Lexical Structure-9

3.3.2 Adaptation to Syntactic Structure-10

3.3.3 Adaptation to Contextual Cohesion-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-12

4.1 Major Findings-12

4.2 Limitations of the Research-12

References-13

Abstract

With the rapid development of globalization, there is deeper cultural communication among countries day by day. Also, more and more English movies have been imported. Considering the popularity of English movies, the public have larger demands for the quality of subtitle translation. In order to make cultural communication well, it is necessary and significant to study subtitle translation. Nowadays, scholars at home and aboard study on subtitle translation from the following perspectives: translation strategy, translation theory, cultural influence and communication process. However, not only the scope of study is scattered and incomplete, but also the theory of study is stereotyped. Many scholars are constrained by the translation itself without considering the expression and the significance of conveying the source information.

This paper conducts an adaptation analysis of subtitle translation in English film Forrest Gump mainly from two angles: communicative context and linguistic context. During the process of translation, subtitle translators tend to adopt different translation methods to adapt to different contexts. Communicative context is composed of mental world, social world and physical world and linguistic context includes lexical structure, syntactic structure and contextual cohesion. Besides, this thesis aims to find subtitle translation’s significance of transmitting cultures and serving the public. Meanwhile, this theory may provide some practical advice and help for interpreters and help people make better cultural communication.

Keywords: film subtitling  adaptation theory  Forrest Gump  communicative context  linguistic context