Abstract: This thesis concentrates on an analysis of English-Chinese film subtitle translation from the perspective of skopos theory. Linguistic features of film subtitle translation are summarized. A case study of subtitling and dubbing translation in Life of Pi is conducted to analyze which kind of strategies should be adopted under various purposes. The thesis is an attempt to appeal to people for attaching more importance to film subtitle translation. Translators should be responsible to apply certain theory and strategies to improve the translation level. With the joint effort of everyone, our country’s film translation is bound to form its own characteristics. And being a highlight in the area of translation will never be a dream.

Key words: film subtitle translation; skopos theory; case study

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction.....1

2. Subtitle Translation.1

2.1 Subtitling and Dubbing

2.2 Types of Subtitle Translation

  2.3 Features of Subtitle Translation

3. Skopos Theory as Theoretical Framework..4

3.1 Basic Concepts of Skopos Theory

3.2 Basic Rules of Skopos Theory

3.2.1 Skopos Rule

3.2.2 Coherence Rule

3.2.3 Fidelity Rule 

3.3 Skopos Theory Applied in Subtitle Translation

4. A Case Study of the Subtitle Translation in Life of Pi....6

  4.1 Introduction to Life of Pi

  4.2 A Detailed Analysis of Strategies Used in Translating Life of Pi

    4.2.1 Strategies Used by Constraints of Time and Space 

4.2.2 Application of Domestication and Foreignization

4.2.3 Addition and Expanation Translation

5. Conclusion.9

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements..12