An Analysis of Subtitling Translation in TED Talks from the Perspective of Skopos Theory

Abstract

Subtitles are used to translate speech on a video, and they're generally intended for people who don't understand the language of the video. The application of the Skopos translation method in subtitle translation is of great practical significance for improving the subtitle translation of Chinese film and television and the level of cultural exchange. Skopos theory emphasizes on the purpose of the translation activity, the translator should consider about the main target of translation and choose the appropriate translating way according to this target. The study found that TED speech subtitle translation embodies the teleological translation principle in terms of omission, naturalization, and free translation.