Study of Subtitle Translation in The Shawshank Redemption from the Perspective of Skopos Theory

【Abstract】In current social development， the emergence of film and television works has become a way of entertainment in the public. Proper subtitle translation can add luster for English film effectively， so as to realize the function of spreading information culture. So far， the translation work of film subtitle in China is not significant. This essay takes The Shawshank Redemption as an example， specifically analyzes the basic principles to be followed in subtitle translation of film according to Skopos Theory.

【Key words】Skopos Theory; subtitle translation; The Shawshank Redemption

【作者簡介】崔玉麗，哈爾濱師范大學，碩士，研究方向：外國語言學及應用語言學。

1. An Overview of Skopos Theory

Skopos Theory is an theory of translation which was established by the German linguists Hans Vermeer. The basic features of this theory are functional and social-cultural. In Hans Vermeers perspective， translation is considered not as a process of translation， but a specific form of human action. Thus every action of human being has its own purpose， back to subtitle translation in the film and TV works， this refers to the purpose of the source text. In this way， translators should apply translation strategies with the correct purpose of the text. It includes three key rules： Skopos Rule， Coherence Rule， Fidelity Rule.

2. Application of Skopos Theory to Subtitle Translation in The Shawshank Redemption

2.1 Skopos Rule

Yes sir！ Im a regular Sears and Roebuck.

譯文：是的，我就像一家郵購公司。

In this sentence， Sears and Roebuck is a retail company started by providing mail-order services to farmers. Its founder Richard. W. Sears built the mail-order company in 1886， and started to work on the mail-order business， selling watches， watch chain and hand， jewelry， diamonds and other small items. In this film， Red is like such a company that can provide almost anything to the prisoners through his relationships. The translator translates it properly so the audience can easily understand the background of this plot.

2.2 Coherence Rule

Rumor has it youre a real cold fish. 譯文： 聽說你很冷酷。

Its absurd to translate “a real cold fish” into “一條冷酷的魚”， because there is no expression in Chinese as fish are not cold in our mind. Considering the background of this plot that what the other prisoners think about Andy， it will be easy to understand.

2.3 Fidelity Rule

These walls are funny. First you hate them， then you get used to them.譯文： 監獄是個怪地方，起初你恨它，然后習慣了它。

In this sentence， the translation is faithful to the source language. Red said these words after old Brooks death， an old man who was institutionalized. The original text wants to show the audience that behind the tall walls are some institutionalize people that do not have hope in their mind any more. Once they get used to the prison life， they would hard to change.

3. The Analysis of Translation Strategies in Light of Skopos Theory

3.1 Foreignization

Thus I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary English sentence——which is a noble thing.

譯文：就這樣，普通英語句子的基本結構便深入到我的骨髓里——這可是件了不起的事。

This style of the translation of this sentence is close to the culture of the source language and the translator translates it by using of foreignization strategy. “Get something into ones bones” means “牢固掌握” ， if we translate like this， we would abandon the image language and could not capture the essence of the original texts. If it is translated in another way， like “深入到我的骨髓里” ， the language will be more vivid.

3.2 Domestication

Fresh fish today！ 譯文：今天又有新人了！

If using the literal translation， “fresh fish” will be translated into “新鮮的魚”， but in this way， the audience will be confused about the relationship between fish and new prisoner. We know that Britain is an island country surrounded by the sea. So in spoken English， fish is often used to refer to people， similar to “家伙、東西” in Chinese. Therefore， the domestication strategy used by the translator is a successful case.

4. Conclusion

A good film may involve almost every aspect of a country it reflects. According to the Skopos theory， the end justifies the means， and it is necessary for the translators to employ suitable methods to translate. This essay sets out from this situation and introduces some technical ways to guide the subtitle translation in real practice by analyzing and discussing translation strategy， which creates a familiar language environment for audience.

參考文獻：

[1]劉洋.基于目的論的字幕翻譯策略研究[D].外交學院，2012.