ABSTRACT
This paper first presents a brief literature review of subtitling translation. Then it explores the two constraints in the process of translating the subtitle: technical constraints and textual and linguistic constraints. Moreover, it focuses on the significance of the cultural elements in subtitling translation and the main strategies used in the process: domestication and foreignization. At last, by giving examples in the American TV series Gossip Girl, this paper illustrates the cultural elements and the practical use of foreignization and domestication strategies. To sum up, the author claims that since the main audiences of the American TV series are students and well-educated white-collar employees, the foreignization strategy should be more favored in the translation process to retain the foreignness as long as a proper understanding of the lines is assured.
Keywords：Subtitling translation, translation strategies, foreignization, domestication, cultural elements
Contents
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………......1
2. Literature review of subtitling translation………………………………………....2
2.1 Definition of subtitling translation……………………………………………….….2
2.2 Previous studies on subtitling translation abroad……………………………….…...2
2.3 Previous studies on subtitling translation in China……………………………….....3
3. Constraints of subtitling translation……………………………………………..…3
3.1 Technical constraints of subtitling translation………………………………….…....4
3.2 Textual and linguistic constraints of subtitling translation…………………………..4
4. Culture turn in translation……………………………………………………….…5
5. Translation strategies: foreignization and domestication…………………….…...6
5.1 The definition of foreignization and domestication………………………………....6
5.2 Foreignization and domestication in this study……………………………………...7
6. Case in study: Gossip Girl…………………………………………………………...7
6.1 An introduction of Gossip Girl………………………………………………………7
6.2 The cultural elements in the text of Gossip Girl…………………………………......8
6.2.1 Words concerning celebrities………………………………………………….…...8
6.2.2 Words concerning famous brands……………………………………………….....9
6.2.3 Words concerning geography………………………………………………….…10
6.2.4 Words concerning sports……………………………………………………….....10
6.2.5 Words concerning English language…………………………………………...…11
6.3 The application of foreignization and domestication strategies in subtitling translation………………………………………………………………….…………...12
6.3.1 Tactics employed to achieve foreignization………………………………………13
6.3.1.1 Annotation……………………………………………………………………...13
6.3.1.2 Preservation and explanation…………………………………………………...13
6.3.2 Tactics employed to achieve domestication……………………………………...13
6.3.2.1 Substitution…………………………………………………………………..…14
6.3.2.2 Paraphrase………………………………………………………………………15
7. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..16
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………..17
Reference………………………………………………………………………………18
