7.2.1 Observations on the Used Strategies and Popu...
According to the collected data,in the 15 selected animated films,on average,over 28% of subtitles are translated by using popular Internet expressions.More specifically,in different situations and in order to meet different needs,the subtitlers also used certain translation strategies,such as localization,globalization and transfer,in order to use popular expressions based on their own knowledge.In the following pairs of subtitles,I explain the use of popular expressions in details.
① 00:01:57,030 to 00:02:02,200
“I am making my own irresistible creation,the Smurfette.”
(Original subtitle)
“我要造一个属于自己的秘密武器，蓝妹妹。”
(Released translation)
“I will make my own secret weapon,Smurfette.” (Back translation)
“我要制造一个属于自己的别人不可抵御的创造发明，蓝妹妹。” （Direct translation）
“I am creating my own secret weapon,the Smurfette.” (Back translation)
(The Smurfs 2,2013)
Observation： As we can see，“秘密武器” in English means “secret weapon”.Here，the subtitler translated the phrase as “irresistible creation” by using the substitute word “秘密武器”.Taken in context，“Smurfette” is essentially a weapon or tool that the wizard originally created to catch the Smurf family.Therefore，the translation of “武器” is positive.Furthermore，“秘密武器” is a more popular expression than the direct translation of “irresistible creation”，“不可抵御的创造/发明”.To compare these two translations，people are more frequently used to the word “秘密武器” when they describe something that will be revealed soon，so using this word will be more attractive or of interest to the target audience.In the film context，a Smurfette will be a unique character for the male Smurfs in a family，as everyone will treat their younger sister carefully and gently.Given her beautiful physical appearance （blonde hair，tender characteristics），everyone in the Smurf family will accept her unquestioningly，without reserve.In turn，the wizard will take advantage of her in order to get to his own evil way.The subtitler used “秘密武器” to fully convey this scenario to the audience.The strategy in this particular translation of “秘密武器” is localization，because it belongs to the daily vocabulary in today’s China.
I also noticed a further tendency,comparing the period before 2011 and the period after 2011.The translation of animation films in the last 10 years has seen a clear change,namely,that more recent films feature popular language in networks in their translated subtitles.The percentage of use of popular language in networks before 2011 was,on average,26%; after 2011,it increased,on average,to 31%.
② 00:02:24,390 to00:02:25,980
She’s a Frankensmurf?
Yes.(Original subtitle)
她是个科学怪精灵吗？（原词Frankenstein科学怪人）
没错。（Released translation）
Is she a maverick smurfette in science?
Yes.(Back translation)
她是科学怪才/作法自毙的人？
是的。（Direct translation）
She’s a Frankenstein/maverick genius in science.(Back translation)
(The Smurfs 2,2013)
Observation： The translation strategies in this translated subtitle is globalization，paraphrase and transfer.“Frankenstein” originally referred to a distinguished scientist who created something deadly，with the consequence that he killed himself with his creation.But，in 2004，the word “Frankenstein”，which was used as the title of a thriller film，was translated as “科学怪人” in the Chinese version.Given the popularity of this film，the original subtitle used transfer and paraphrase to create the new word “Frankensmurf”.This is a new compound word inspired by the recently released film.“Franken” is derived from “Frankenstein”； when “smurf” is added，a new word “Frankensmurf” is created，which is a more situational word in this film.The translator understood the significance of the original subtitle，and he/she consequently translated this word as “科学怪精灵”，as well as providing a note to the audience to explain that the source of the word “Frankensmurf” is “Frankenstein”.This is a more considerate translation strategy as mentioned in the researcher’s earlier discussion.A note or footnote can give more explanation or information to the reader or audience.This is regarded as useful and effective in an AVT study situation and can also be used in subtitling.But given the concerns about the mechanical limits，the use of footnotes to explain concepts that frequently occur in subtitling is not encouraged.However，in the case of the above example，the researcher believes that it is necessary.Audiences will quickly make sense of the word “科学怪精灵” due to this judicious reminder.This word also exemplifies the effectiveness of using popular language by the strategies of globalization paraphrase and transfer.
③ 00:08:30,459 to 00:08:32,507
Time to smurf some magic.(Original subtitle)
这是见证魔法的时刻。（Released translation）
It’s time to see the magic.(Back translation)
这是使用蓝精灵魔法的时间。（Direct translation）
It’s time to use smurf magic.(Back translation)
(The Smurfs 1,2011)
Observations： Chinese audiences know that the sentence pattern of “见证……的时刻” became familiar from 2009 onwards，when a young magician called Liu Qian appeared at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.From that year，his prologue in subsequent appearances at the Spring Festival Gala has remained the same： “It’s time to see amazing things！” In turn，this catchphrase has become popular.Here，the subtitler was obviously influenced by this popular expression and translated “Time to smurf some magic” by using the strategy of localization.
④ 00:07:15,410 to 00:07:19,210
Well,well,if it isn’t my favourite nerd bird.(Original subtitle)
这可不是我最爱的宅鸟。（Released translation）
This is not what my favourite home bird.(Back translation)
唔，唔，这还是我最爱的那个呆鸟吗？（Direct translation）
Well,well,if it is my favourite nerd bird? (Back translation)
(Rio 1,2011)
Observation： In Chinese，the original equivalent of “nerd” is “呆子”，which is similar to the expression to describe someone who “lags in response” or “only focuses on his/her own study or other business，but with no response to other things”.“宅”，in popular language，means someone who “prefers to stay at home，not take part in any outdoor activities”.This kind of person is called “宅男宅女”，which means “male and female nerd”.This popular expression was introduced in 2008，which is originally comes from Japanese，belongs to loan word.In some instances，“宅” is negative word，showing the speaker’s scornful attitude.In most situations，however，this is a neutral word，which simply explains someone’s lifestyle.The subtitler，when translating “nerd bird” as “宅鸟”，may have sought two layers of meanings.One would be to show that this character is introverted，then to convey this layer of meaning，the use of “宅” is localization； while the other layer of meaning to “宅鸟” would be to show that the character is something of a narrow minded bird，who is more like a pet rather than a wild avian （one example to verify this estimation or this indication that exists in the film is the character，Blu，who is a scarlet macaw who is unable to fly in the beginning of the film），therefore，this layer of meaning is displayed by the strategy of transfer，and coincidently，in Chinese，“宅” as a popular adjective word，also has the meaning of “disjointed from the same kind”.Therefore，given these two indications，the use of “宅” is better than “呆”.And because of the modern meaning of “宅” in current Chinese language，the use of this popular expression is more interesting than the direct translation of “呆” with the strategy of localization.
⑤ 00:10:00,970 to 00:10:04,460
It was very nice of you to stop in and squawk around.(Original subtitle)
谢谢你跑来说鸟话。（Released translation）
Thanks for coming to speak bird’s language.(Back translation)
你真好，能来制止一切还有在这儿乱叫。（Direct translation）
It’s very nice of you to stop in and squawk around.(Back translation)
(Rio 1,2011)
Observation： “说鸟话” in Chinese popular colloquial language firstly means “to speak birds’ language”，which is to say that someone knows how to communicate with birds.However，in its second meaning，the most frequently used meaning in real life，it is not a complimentary word，because it means “talk nonsense”.According to the film context，the subtitler cleverly used this dual connotation to not only translate the meaning of the expression，but also to effectively express the real mood of the speaker.The use of strategies in this translation is also localization and transfer as the above example of 4.
⑥ 00:17:44,971 to 00:17:46,436
You’re gorgeous.Wait,what? (Original subtitle)
你看起来帅呆了。等等，我在说什么？（Released translation）
You look so handsome.Wait,what am I saying? (Back Translation)
你真帅。等等，什么？（Direct translation）
You are so handsome.Wait,what? (Back translation)
(Frozen,2013)
Observation： “帅” is an adjective to describe someone who is very handsome or someone’s behaviour，actions or words as wonderful.As this concerns praise or admiration，it is a complimentary word.In the film context，this word can express the original meaning of “gorgeous”.Moreover，“帅” plus “呆了” corresponds to another phrase in Chinese，“酷毙了”.Both of these phrases can also take the form of short sentences； however，the functions are the same.“呆了” and “毙了” are used after an adjective in order to strengthen the degree of the speaking voice.A similar meaning in English is “so，very，or extremely”.The form of “an adjective +呆了/毙了” is a popular language form among young people.They prefer to use this word formation in their oral communication in online chat rooms as well as in daily life.Therefore，by using this formation in subtitling with localization strategy，the subtitler can make the film more meaningful and verbally striking to a young audience.
⑦
a) 00:26:41,419 to00:26:47,225
Anna,what do you know about true love?(https://www.daowen.com)
More than you.All you know is how to shut people out.(Original subtitles)
安娜，你懂什么叫做真爱？
比你懂，你总是拒人于千里之外。（Released translation）
Anna,what do you know about true love?
More than you.You are always arrogant and unapproachable to others.(Back translation)
安娜，你知道什么是真爱吗？
比你懂的多。你只知道怎么拒绝别人。（Direct translation）
Anna,what do you know about true love?
More than you know.All you know is how to shut people out.(Back translation)
b) 00:27:19,478 to 00:27:21,255
No.Why? Why do you shut me out?! (Original translation)
不！为什么？为什么要拒我于千里之外？（Released translation）
No.Why? Why do you treat so arrogant? (Back translation)
不。为什么？你为什么不理我？（Direct translation）
No.Why? Why do you shut me out? (Back translation)
c) 00:27:21,256 to 00:27:23,068
Why do you shut the world out?! (Original translation)
为什么你要拒世界于千里之外？（Released translation）
Why do you so arrogant to the whole world? (Back translation)
为什么你谁都不搭理？（Direct translation）
Why do you shut others out? (Back translation)
(Frozen,2013)
Observation： In these three subtitles，the subtitler translated the phrase “shut somebody out” into “拒于千里之外” on three occasions.Firstly，“拒于千里之外” is a sentence originally taken from an ancient idiom story by Mencius.The original meaning of “拒于千里之外” in the idiom story is to “be arrogant or unapproachable”.Moreover，the voice of “拒于千里之外” is much stronger than “不搭理”，which expresses extreme discontent on the part of the receiver.Secondly，in Chinese young people’s language，because they prefer to speak in an exaggerated tone，they will prefer to use “拒于千里之外” to express their unhappiness and dejection in response to other people’s arrogant，indifferent attitudes.Gradually，this kind of Chinese traditional expression has become part of young people’s popular language with some degree of deformation.
⑧
a) 00:03:12,777 to 00:03:14,612
This could be awesome! (Original subtitle)
这一定会很炫的！（Released translation）
This could be glaring! (Back translation)
这一定是棒极了！（Direct translation）
This could be so cool!(Back translation)
(Rio 2,2014)
b) 00:37:26,490 to 00:37:28,170
I’m loving San Diego,this place is off to Shizam! (Original subtitle)
我爱圣地亚哥，这地方实在太炫了。（Released translation）
我爱圣地亚哥，这地方实在太棒了。（Direct translation）
I’m loving San Diego,this place is so cool! (Back translation)
(Madagascar 1,2005)
Observation： “炫” is a typical popular language form with the strategy of localization，which is frequently used in current social situations，networks and mobile text messages.In most cases，this word means “awesome，gorgeous or terrific”.The original meaning of this word in Chinese describes something or someone looking glaring because of its/his own radiance.
⑨ 00:06:23,342 to 00:06:24,635
FREAKS! (Original subtitle)
怪咖！（Released translation）
怪人！（Direct translation）
FREAKS! (Back translation)
(Rio 2,2014)
Observation： The difference between “怪咖” and “怪人” is that the former is colloquial language from Taiwan，while the latter is Mandarin.In current China，given the rapid development of information technology and a more open policy in tourism，trade and education，Chinese people on the mainland have increasingly established ties with people in Taiwan and Hong Kong.With the increasing number of Taiwanese and Hong Kongese television series，variety shows and films being broadcast to the mainland，more and more people have become acquainted with and mastered local expressions from these areas.“咖” means a kind of people，with the adjective in front of “咖” defining “the kind of people”.For instance，“怪咖” means a person who is strange，odd and always presents abnormal behaviours.In another example，when the adjective is changed to “大” （meaning “big”），and the word is “大咖”，the meaning will refer to “a famous person or a person who has notable influence or an important position in a particular field”.Therefore，this word now becomes a popular expression in modern Chinese，and with the strategy of localization and transfer is used in this subtitle translation.
⑩ 00:04:02,860 to 00:04:06,780
You guys.You’ve both made and ruined my day.(Original subtitle)
大伙儿，你们今天真是让我欢喜让我忧。（Released translation）
Everybody,you’ve let me up and down today.(Back translation)
你们这伙人。你们让我今天又开心又烦恼。（Direct translation）
You guys.You’ve made me happy and sad today.(Back translation)
(Madagascar,2012)
Observation： “让我欢喜让我忧” is the name of a famous Chinese pop song by Zhou Huajian，a well-known Taiwanese singer who was born in Hong Kong.Although this pop song was released in 1991，it is still universally popular in today’s China.In KTVs，karaoke venues which are one of the Chinese people’s preferred entertainment places，this song is easily in the top 30 of KTV system selections.Therefore，since the subtitler has artfully used this expression in his subtitling，this could be an attraction to a Chinese audience.
00:05:05,223 to 00:05: 10,150
FYI,your dog has been leaving little bombs all over my yard.(Original subtitle)
提醒你一下，你家的狗在我家院子里到处丢炸弹/扔地雷。（Released translation）
Just remind you,your dog poo poo everywhere in my garden.(Back translation)
(Despicable Me 1,2010)
Observation： The highlighted pattern is a kind of humorous expression to express the unpleasant behaviour of the neighbour’s dog in Gru’s garden （the main character）.In Chinese，it is a popular expression which uses “炸弹”，“地雷” as a vivid metaphor to describe the dog’s poo is rebarbative and foul.This is also a veiled expression of the speaker who shows his unpleasantness regarding this matter.Although compared with its direct meaning of “poo poo”，“拉屎” only explains the meaning of the original terms，but cannot deliver the degree of the unpleasant mood of the speaker.Another intention of the subtitler in translating this term into the highlighted words is to find common ground with the daily language most young people use in their real life.This is a skill aimed at making the audience feel the riotous fun of the film subtitles.Besides，“拉屎” in Chinese，is not a polite expression，it should be avoided in everyday social exchanges，and therefore，the subtitler may have considered its impact in the translation as well.Generally，although the number of words in “丢炸弹/扔地雷” is one word more than the direct translation of “拉屎”，for the above three advantages，the strategies of expansion and localization in this subtitle are approved.Generally，these typical examples are the illustration of the collected data regarding the use of popular expressions in E-C animation film’s subtitle translation.There were mainly three underlying strategies applied by the subtitlers： localization，globalization and transfer.By using these strategies，the popular expressions can make the translated subtitles more effective and interesting.However，it is a considerable requirement in terms of the ability of subtitlers； they should have a good knowledge of both source and target languages and cultures.