Abstract

Film is not only a form of entertainment but also a medium in cross-cultural communication. The introduction of English films to China is now in a boom. Many Chinese audiences indulge in English films as they provide an insight into western culture. Film title is extremely important as it leaves first impression on audience. This thesis will make a study on Chinese translation of English film titles. Supported by the examples of Chinese translation of film titles, the thesis summarizes the most common four translation methods, transliteration, literal translation, liberal translation and creative translation. It also focuses on principles on English film title translation which generally consist of culture principle, faithfulness and accuracy, aesthetic principle and commercial value. 

Key Words: film title translation; translation methods; translation principles

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1.Introduction    1

2.Literature Review  2

  2.1 A Brief Overview of Studies on Translation   2

  2.2 An Overview of Studies on English film Title Translation  2

3.Translation Methods and Their Application to English film Title Translation  4

  3.1 Transliteration  4

  3.2 Literal Translation   4

  3.3 Liberal Translation   5

  3.4 Creative Translation  6

4.Principles on the Translation of film Titles   7

  4.1 Culture Principle  7

4.1.1 Social Acceptance  7

4.1.2 Religious Factor   8

  4.2 Faithfulness and Accuracy   8

  4.3 Aesthetic Principle   9

  4.4 Commercial Value   9

5.Conclusion   11

Bibliography  12