时间：2022-08-24 12:17:21
Abstract：With the large influx of foreign films into China, subtitle translation has been increasingly important. However, there has never been a dominant principle or strategy guiding subtitle translation. This paper aims to single out some strategies for subtitle translation from the perspective of Relevance Theory by taking A Cinderella Story: Once upon a Song as a case study. The paper draws a conclusion that subtitle translators should always guide themselves with Optimal Relevance Theory so as to provide the most relevant information and ease the target viewers'' burden of understanding.
Key words: subtitle translation; Relevance Theory; translation strategies
Introduction：
Nowadays cultural exchanges among countries are becoming increasingly frequent. Despite recent progress in the study of subtitle translation, there is no generally accepted theory or strategies that can serve as the guidance of subtitle translators. This paper aims to single out some strategies for subtitle translation from the perspective of Relevance Theory by taking A Cinderella Story: Once upon a Song as a case study. It first describes features of film subtitles, and then elaborates on relevance theory. In the last part of the paper, some subtitles are selected and the strategies involved are analyzed from the perspective of Relevance Theory.
1.Features of film subtitles
Film subtitles differ from other literatures, which have its distinctive features.
1.1Being colloquial
Film subtitles are mostly conversations between people, characterized by informal and colloquial dialogues with numerous idioms, slangs, etc. Subtitle translators should take these into consideration so as to better preserve the flavor and features of the subtitles
1.2Being brief and concise
Due to the limitation of time and space, subtitles must be short in form while at the same convey all necessary information, which decides that they must be concise.
2.Relevance Theory
2.1Introduction to Relevance theory
Relevance theory is proposed by Sperber and Wilson. It seeks to explain the second method of communication, which argues that the audience will search for meaning in any given communication situation and will stop processing until they find meaning that fits their expectation of relevance.
2.2Relevance theory and translation
2.2.1Factors deciding degree of relevance
According to Wang (2007), relevance is a relative concept. The degree of relevance is determined by two factors: processing efforts and contextual effects, which can be explained by a formula, relevance = contextual effects/ processing efforts. (p.5.)
2.2.2The application of Relevance theory in subtitle translation
In Meng’s (2011) view, the essence of Relevance theory is that translators should make the target readers use the least efforts to acquire the greatest contextual effects. As subtitle translation is communication between translators and target viewers, subtitle translators must create optimal relevance. Therefore, Relevance theory can be used to guide and judge subtitle translation. (p.132.)
3.Subtitle translation strategies in A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song from the perspective of Relevance Theory
3.1Transformation from negation to affirmation
As film subtitles feature limits on time and space, it is always necessary for the translators to make their translation as brief as possible. Negation is frequently used in English, but when it comes to film subtitles, it is suggested that the negation be transformed into affirmation as negation usually takes up more space and is more difficult to understand.
For example: Pace yourself, Ms. Gail, or you will not be one with everything
慢点喝，格尔夫人,这样才能体会到万物为一的感觉
If I waited for you, I’d never be on time.
要是等你来才起，我早就迟到了
The transformation from negation to affirmation is frequently used in this film. In this way, the translation is closer to Chinese people’s way of expression and requires less processing efforts. Besides, it also saves space.
3.2Domestication
In subtitle translation, domestication is a major strategy, as it requires the translators to use expressions that are familiar to the target viewers, thus they can understand the dialogues in the film with the slightest processing efforts. Wang (2011) holds that a large number of culture-loaded words and unfamiliar expressions will lead to the films’ loss of popularity. (p.8)
For example: I forgot what they were called because they made me absolutely no money.
我不记得了，因为我一个子儿都没赚到。
For example: Now, make momma Iook more beautiful and thinner.
现在，把老娘我画得再漂亮点，再瘦点
Here, the expressions 一个子儿, 老娘are all very colloquial and have strong Chinese flavor. They vividly reflect the attitudes and characteristics of the speakers. Besides, by using domestication, the subtitle translations offer the greatest contextual effects for target readers as these expressions are quite familiar to the Chinese, thus bringing them closer to the film.
3.3Free translation
Free translation, also known as liberal translation, seeks to convey the meaning instead of the form of the source language.
For example: And kissing your ass
Ain`t what my lipstick`s for
我这么闪亮亮，可不是要讨好你
The rendering of kiss your ass into 讨好你 is very good because in English kiss your ass means saying or doing something good to flatter someone while in Chinese we don’t have the same expression. If it is translate literally, on the one hand, target readers cannot understand it as it doesn’t provide optimal relevance, on the other hand, the translation can be very vulgar.
For example: Hold on `cause I`m letting go
淡定点，因为姐要全力出击了
Let go originally means release or be relaxed, but it will be weird to translate it literally into 释放 or 放松，and it will be difficult for target viewers to understand.
By translating subtitles liberally, the subtitle translators can find optimal relevance and offer most relevant information to help target views understand the subtitles most quickly and accurately and meanwhile reduce the processing efforts.
Conclusion
Film subtitles have its own distinctive features like colloquialism, briefness and conciseness. Therefore, suitable translation strategies and theories should be adopted accordingly. Relevance theory states that translators should apply proper translation strategies and choose to keep and abandon some information so as to find the optimal relevance between the source and target contexts. By studying the film A Cinderella Story: Once upon a Song from the perspective relevance theory, it is concluded that transformation from negation to affirmation, domestication and liberal translation can be adopted in subtitle translation and relevance theory can serve as a guiding theory for it.
Bibliography:
[1]Li, X.Y. (2010). Study on translation of culture-loaded words in film subtitle. Overseas English, 150-151.
[2]Wang, R. (2007). On film subtitle translation strategies from the perspective of relevance theory— a case study on the film Gone with the Wind. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, (2), 5-9.
[3]孟醒.从关联理论看《六人行》的字幕翻译策略.黑龙江教育学院学报,2011（30）:132-134