Abstract
The translation of film titles has become a popular phrase in modern life. As is known to all, how to translate the film titles has become a controversial topic in the field of translation for a long time. The translation of western film titles is quite different from the translation of Chinese film titles. In the process of the translation, sometimes films titles will have different translations owing to the different translators. Because every one has his own idea, experience and knowledge. And translators also need to comply to four Principles of translation of film titles. Films are a very important part of cultural interchanges. Therefore, the culture of the countries is becoming a major content to present in the films. This paper points out the importance of the translation of film titles and calls on the translators to pay more attention to it. The art, commercial and social feature characterize the film titles. Translation isn’t a process to change one language to the other. Foreign audiences are more often than not to comprehend the original film titles. The Chinese audiences wouldn’t arouse sympathy when they see the original film titles. The author analyzes that people shouldn’t hold one-side view that the literal translation is good or the free translation is good. The literal translation and free translation ought to supplement and complement each other. These two methods must combine and use adjusting orders, adding or reducing some words of the original film titles to get the best results of the translation of film titles.
Contents
Abstract in English
Abstract in Chinese
Preface 1
1. Introduction 2
1.1 Features of Film Titles 2
1.1.1 Art Feature 2
1.1.2 Economic Feature 2
1.1.3 Social Feature 3
2. Four Principles in Translation of Film Titles 4
2.1 The Principle of Information Value 4
2.2 The Principle of Culture Value 4
2.3 The Principle of Aesthetic Value 5
2.4 The Principle of Commercial Value 5
3. Approaches of the Translation of Film Titles 6
3.1 Literal Translation 7
3.2 Free Translation 9
3.3 Discussion on the Literal and Free Translation of Film Titles 11
4. Roles of Translator and Audience 12
4.1 Translator as a Dispenser Role on the Translation of Film Titles 12
4.2 Audience as an Acceptant Role on the Translation of Film Titles 13
5. Conclusion 13
References 14
Acknowledgements 15