Preliminary Study on Tactics of Translating Film’s Subtitles

Preliminary Study on Tactics of Translating Film’s Subtitles

Abstract

This essay firstly gives a brief introduction of the status quo of subtitling practice. By elaborating the characteristics and functions of subtitling translation, analyzing the time and space constraints by using concrete examples exerted from Forrest Gump, Waterloo Bridges, Friends, Rain Man, Shrek, You’ve Got Mail, Liar Liar, Mind of Beauty, Schidle’s List, Pride and Prejudice, American Beauty, Out of Africa, After the Sunset for illustration, the author puts forward six workable strategies for subtitling translation, namely, the avoidance of mistakes on common sense, the application of condensation, due attention of cultural factors, the adoption of colloquial words with natural and fluent tone，the achievement of harmony between speed and visual pictures, good consideration of context. Finally, the importance of improving translation skills and work ethic of subtitle translators is high lightened with the hope for perfecting the subtitle translator’s practice in an efficient way.

Key words: subtitling; characteristics; constraints; strategies; subtitle translators

Preliminary Study on Tactics of Translating Film’s Subtitles

Outline

Thesis Statement: Translation of film’s subtitles, which plays a very important role in cross-cultural communication, is noteworthy of due attention in order to convey the accurate meaning of the original films to its audience.

Ⅰ. Introduction: The Status Quo, Characteristics, and Functions of Subtitling Translation
Ⅱ. Two Limiting Factors of Subtitling Translation A. Time Constraint in Subtitling Translation B. Space Constraint in Subtitling Translation
Ⅲ. Tactics Drew From the Analysis of Some Movies A. The Avoidance of Mistakes on Common Sense B. The Application of Condensation C. Due Attention of Cultural Factors D. The Adoption of Colloquial Words with Natural and

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