1、奈达功能对等理论下字幕翻译的探究摘 要外国影视进入中国且大受欢迎，但是字幕翻译并没有得到重视，作者试图通过奈达功能对等理论对字幕翻译进行分析研究。传统的翻译理论把翻译的重点放在语言的表现形式上，而奈达则认为翻译的重点应当是读者对译文的反应。 由于字幕翻译受到时间和空间的限制，根据奈达的功能对等理论，在翻译字幕的过程中，译者要在有限的时间和空间内最大程度地传达出原文的意思，找到与原文最自然且最切近的对等语。作者以吸血鬼日记为例来分析在奈达的功能对等理论指导下如何将缩减法、归化、增译等方法运用在字幕翻译中达到对等效果。关键词：功能对等理论; 字幕翻译; 吸血鬼日记; 读者反应AbstractFor
2、eign television programs have been introduced to China and enjoy great popularity, but subtitle translation has not been taken seriously. The author attempts to analyze subtitle translation through the Nidas functional equivalence theory. Traditional translation theory puts emphasis on language perf
3、ormance forms, but Nida thinks that translation should lay stress on the readers response to the translation. Due to the fact that the subtitle translation was limited by time and space, according to Nidas functional equivalence theory, in the process of subtitle translation, the translator should c
4、onvey the original meaning within the limited time and space and find the most natural and closest equivalence. Setting The Vampire Diaries as an example, under the guidance of Nidas functional equivalence theory, the author tries to analyze how to use translation strategies, such as reduction, clar
5、ification, domestication and so on to achieve equivalence effect.Key Words: Functional Equivalence Theory; Subtitle translation; The Vampire Diaries; Readers responseContents摘 要 iAbstract iiIntroduction 11 An Overview of Subitle and Functional Equivalence Theory 31.1 Definiton and Function of Subtit
6、le 31.2 Features of Subtitle Translation 41.3 Functional Equivalence Theory 52 The Application of Functional Equivalence Theory to E-C Subtitle Translation 92.1 The Possibility of the Application of Functional Equivalence 92.2 The Necessity of the Application of Functional Equivalence 103 Analysis o
7、f the Subtitle Translation of The Vampire Diaries 133.1 Equivalence Types Used in the Television Series 133.1.1 Syntactic Equivalence 133.1.2 Stylistic Equivalence 143.2 Translation Strategies Adopted to Achieve Equivalence Effect 153.2.1 Reduction 153.2.2 Clarification 183.2.3 Domestication 20Concl
8、usion 23Bibliography 24Acknowledgements 26IntroductionWith the constant development of material and cultural life level in recent years, the requirement of mental life people asked for is higher and higher. Therefore, as a kind of typical entertainment medium, television programs attract a large num
9、ber of peoples attention. At this time, a great many of foreign television series, especially American television series, have been introduced to China and enjoy great popularity among Chinese audiences. Though dubbed television programs are easy to understand, with the constant pursuit of aesthetic
10、, more and more audiences prefer to watch the original sound programs, listen to the foreign languages and feel the foreign culture. So the subtitle translation emerges and is attached importance with a driving tendency.Television series are not only a medium of entertainment but also a medium of cr
11、oss-cultural communication. With the entry of these programs to China, people could appreciate the programs and enjoy the different living styles, customs, culture and religion of other countries at the same time. However, the receptors understanding and feelings of the television series have a grea
12、t impact on the appreciation of the foreign programs. Thus, the correctness and fitness of subtitle translation is more necessary. Though subtitle translation has been adopted in foreign television programs for many years, yet there is not a relatively mature theory to guide in this field.In this th
13、esis, the author will try to analyze English-Chinese subtitle translation of television series, setting The Vampire Diaries as an example, through Nidas functional equivalence as a theoretical foundation, and seek strategies to achieve equivalent effect from the two aspects: syntactic equivalence an
14、d stylistic equivalence.In the first chapter, the author will introduce the definition of subtitle and its function, and the features of subtitle translation. Meanwhile, detailed substance of Nidas functional equivalence will be given for readers to have a better understanding about this theory.The
15、second chapter puts the emphasis on the feasibility and necessity of application of Nidas functional equivalence theory to the subtitle translation. Through analyzing the features of the subtitle, the author tries to explain the reason and the necessity of utilization of the functional equivalence t
16、heory to subtitle translation.Chapter three is the case study. The author will take the hot American television series The Vampire Diaries as an example to analyze how functional equivalence theory guides subtitle translation and what strategies have been employed to achieve functional equivalence e
17、ffect.This thesis concludes that functional equivalence can be a new aspect to guide subtitle translator in the practice of subtitle translation.1. An Overview of Subtitle and Functional Equivalence Theory1.1 Definition and Function of SubtitleSubtitle is a printed statement or fragment of dialogue
18、appearing on the screen between the scenes of a silent motion picture or appearing as a translation at the bottom of the screen during the scenes of a motion picture or television show in a foreign language. To most people, subtitles are “the word printed or superimposed on a film in a foreign langu
19、age to translate what is being said on the sound track”. As a result, subtitles are supplements that supply information unavailable from the phonetic dialogues and visual pictures. Traditionally, subtitles have two main roles: one is to help the audience further understand the plot of the movie, suc
20、h as the name of the people or places, the score of a match, a written note and the headline of a newspaper; the other role is to help a person with a defect in hearing or with difficulty in understanding dialogues between characters to better appreciate the movie.One hand, television programs have
21、gained worldwide popularity and they have become a huge impact on modern cultural communication. On the other hand, the advanced modern technology, especially with the arrival of the digital age, serves a strong and technological base for practical subtitling operation, thus function of subtitles al
22、so change.By and large, a basic function of subtitles is to offer adequate information about what is going along on the screen, carrying out a smooth communication between the programs and the target viewers. Hence, the translation mainly aims to achieve the effects among the target audience and try
23、 to offer them similar experience as the source language audience would have when they watch the television programs. The target audience can obtain adequate information for the appreciation of the television program with minimum efforts.1.2 Features of Subtitle TranslationSubtitle translation diffe
24、rs from the translation of the written text. Raphael Nir has already referred to subtitle translation as a “double conversion” from one language to another and from one medium to another. So when practice of subtitle translation, there are some constraints to work under because of its distinctive fe
25、atures.1.2.1 Synchronization and Transience In order to ensure the coordination of the sound, subtitles and screens when appreciating the television programs, subtitles are generally inserted simultaneously with the onset of the speech. As subtitles appear with the sound, so the time of subtitles av
26、ailable for display is tight control by the utterance. For material in television programs is presented in a continuous way, the subtitles can be only presented in a very short time.The time of presentation of subtitles is lied with the following points:1）the duration of the utterance in the origina
27、l version2）the reading speed of the audience ( the duration of subtitles should meet the reading speed of the average audience)3) the visual information which given on the screen should be perceived clearly by the audience4) the editing style adopted in the filmAs these features of subtitle translat
28、ion, time constraints should be face with. According to the Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics, “A single-line subtitle may appear on screen for as two seconds, a two-line subtitle for up to seven seconds.” If the time is too little, the reader will not be able to digest the subtitle fully; if
29、 the time is too long, automatic rereading of the subtitle can result. No matter how long the time decided to control, the principle of “subtitle-speech synchronization” should be stick to.1.2.2 Popularity and ConfluenceAs mentioned above, subtitles appear with the utterance of the original version,
30、 so the subtitles should convey all the information with the limited space which can only present two lines with a maximum of about 35 characters for each. As a result, through the subtitle translation, audience should have a clear idea about what the programs express and come to understand the main
31、 thrust. That is to say the target audience could have the analogous feel of the original audience after subtitle translation.The language, music and images of the television series interact and complement each other. The actors body language, such as nodding, shaking his head, gestures, facial expr
32、essions, etc is also a part of the language of programs. Besides, the language style should be suitable to its own cultural background. For example, today, the 21st century, the film and television programs become an important recreational activity for people to relax and enjoy the pleasures. In this case, while translating the meaning of the original text, time characteristics should be added, such as, buzzwords, pun, humor, etc. 1.3 Functional Equivalence TheoryAs to equivalence
