英语电影片名的翻译-开题报告(二)

  Generally speaking,studies and researches on film title translation have been usually conducted by traditional equivalence translation theory.To some extent,such theory can free film title translation from the yoke of form bondage.However,it cannot really free film title translation from the bondage of ‘equivalence’.In addition,translation strategies based on traditional translation theories cannot provide a theoretical explanation for some translated film titles that are successful in practice but against traditional ‘equivalence’ standard.Therefore,they cannot effectively conduct translation practice .The present thesis tries to make a further study on .English film title translation from the perspective of skopos theory. Instead of treating translation as a code -switching operation, skopos theory,by taking precedence over purpose and function in translation,defines translation as a purposeful activity as well as an intentional studies and giving a new perspective to the study of film title translation .skopos theory puts emphasis on the purpose in translation activities and according to this theory translation strategies are determined by the purpose of the target texts.In this sense,by dethroning the status of original film titles,film title translation can be freed from the bondage of ‘equivalence’.In addition,the translator can be allowed to have more initiative and will do a better job in translation activities.

On the basis of the above theoretical study,chapter one serves as an introduction,presenting the research background ,writing purpose,theoretical framework and structure of the thesis.

 Chapter Two is a general analysis of English film titles,introducing the genre of film and discussing the features and functions of film titles.This chapter serves as the foundation for future analysis on translation policies. In this chapter ,the three functions of film titles are fully analyzed,that is,the informative,aesthetic and commercial functions. The informative function,in a narrow sense,means that the version conveys the information of  the original film title or the information about the plot of the film in order to help the audience have a basic understanding of the film ;in a broad sense,it refers to the principle that the versions should bear complicated cultural connotations.The aesthetic function means that the Chinese translations transfer the main plot and emotion of the film in concise and popular language,conforming to the grammatical rules and the language habits of Chinese in order to make the audience sense the beauty of Chinese .The commercial function means that the versions should stimulate the desire of the audience to see the film .Only when audience have been entertained and attracted by the title will they be persuaded to go to the cinema,thus realizing the commercial value of the film box office.

   Chapter Three is a theoretical retroflection .In this chapter,German functionalist approaches are revisited, covering its development and main ideas by placing special emphasis on skopos theory .Meanwhile,,it also gives a general literature review of the previous studies English film title translation made by Chinese translation scholars.

   In chapter four.under the guidance of the functionalist approach with the target-culture orientation ,the author makes a detailed analysis on English film title translation and then explores how the functionalist approach is applied to film title translation.The Chinese audience watch a film mainly for entertainment.Therefore, the ultimate purpose and the main function of English film title translation are to entertain the audience as well as to stimulate the desire of the audience to see the film.In order to achieve such a goal,the translator should try to achieve the three basic functions .At the same time ,the author also points out that ,owing to the linguistic and cultural differences,the functions of original film titles usually cannot be totally preserved .In addition ,the translator should bear the target audience in mind,taking their aesthetic tastes,psychological needs and background knowledge into consideration and attaching great importance to their receptivity during the process of translation.Based on the above translation purposes and requirements,the strategies used in English film title translation exemplified by a host of translated versions from different angles are introduced,namely,transliteration ,literal translation (including word-for-word translation,the adjustment of word order or structure,transliteration plus paraphrase),liberal translation(including the combination of literal and liberal translation) and adaptation.These strategies treat the source text information in different ways such as complete preservation ,proper selection ,complete abandonment and information addition.From the previous analysis and examples,the present thesis holds that all the translation methods are indispensable and supplementary to each strategies flexibly in order to better achieve the goal of English film title translation.

      Chapter Five serves as a conclusion,summarizing the whole thesis as well as putting forward some suggestions.In addition,it also points out the limitations of the present thesis and bring up some suggestions for further studies in the future.

Key words:English film title translation;Skopostheorie;translation stategies