1.6 Structure of the Study
The aim of this study is to compare,discuss and analyse the E-C subtitle translation of animation films with perspective of cultural awareness.In this context,cultural elements relate to the form,function and importance of incorporating traditional Chinese,slang and vernacular into translated subtitles in order to enhance the effectiveness of their comprehension among domestic audiences in China.In the process,there will be a detailed investigation into how these elements,which take the form of traditional (Chinese idioms,archaisms) and popular (new words,internet memes etc.) expressions,inform the production of subtitles,which are both efficient,in technical terms,and accessible,in terms of engaging with the widest possible audience.
The chapters of this book briefly relate to the following functions:
Chapter 1 is the formal introduction to the study.I explained the motivation of the study,research background and theoretical framework,academic rationale,hypotheses,objectives,methodologies,and significance of the study.
Chapter 2 presents the literature review for AVT,in which I explored the findings and publications of European and Chinese scholars,explains why AVT studies has developed at different speeds in European countries and in China,together with analysing the reasons why.
Chapter 3 constructs a bespoke theoretical framework that would be appropriate to answer my research questions,which were concerned with effective AVT strategies in E-C situation.As well as linguistic issues,the researcher also considered the main intercultural factors that ought to be relevant to popular animation films that have been translated (E-C).Furthermore,she examined the feasibility of each of the 10 strategies within Gottlieb’s typology by analysing the subtitling techniques used in a sample film,Despicable Me 1.(https://www.daowen.com)
Chapter 4 describes the theoretical framework and three research methodologies behind this study.After explained the theoretical framework of my study,I started by introducing Mona Baker’s corpus-based approach to translation studies,followed by a description of the researcher’s own self-built parallel corpus containing the E-C subtitles of 15 popular animation films.In the course of taking the subtitles of these 15 films as a profile,I began to introduce the data for my study.Besides the main empirical methodology,I also used a questionnaire with student spectators of animated films and several interviews with professionals in the field of subtitling as further first-hand evidence to further support the results of the corpus.Both these qualitative and quantitative approaches assisted me in carrying out this research and investigating its hypotheses effectively.
Chapter 5 focuses on the discussion of the length of film subtitles translated into Chinese.In the process,the data collected using the research methods (questionnaire,interview and corpus) was used to test the first hypothesis.
Chapter 6 focuses on the use of traditional expressions in translating the 15 films.In the process,all the traditional expressions from the corpus will be extracted and discussed in relation to the following: 1) how many times these expressions appear in the corpus;2) the rationale of translators’ translation strategies in E-C subtitle translation; and 3) the effectiveness of the use of traditional expression in E-C subtitle translation.
Chapter 7 focuses on the translation of popular expressions.In the process,all the popular expressions found in the corpus,such as vernacular phrases and Internet memes,will be extracted,following by a discussion of how these expressions have been translated.For example,it was considered whether there are any problems with the existing translations and,if so,in what form.In response,I highlighted the translation strategies used in translating these expressions,as well as proffer my own suggestions for more effective strategic approaches.
Chapter 8 plays as a general conclusion of the whole book.I reviewed the findings of the study,then highlighted the limits to,and issues worthy of,further studies in the field of AVT,especially E-C subtitling.In the closing sequences of this book,further possible areas of study linked to this topic,potential follow-up projects to be explored,and an overview of the research results of the current project was outlined.