The Art of Paper Cutting: Strategies and Challenges in Chinese to English Subtitle Translation of Cultural Items

Abstract

Culture is a way of life and embodiment of civilizations that is expressed through a language. The transfer of culture is a significant aspect of audio-visual translation as translators deal with more than just the written texts on surface level. Translating culture-specific items on paper cutting is an intercultural communication. However, translating cultural items in subtitling could cause challenges and problems for translators during the translation process. In this qualitative study, the translation strategies and challenges were explored in the subtitling of a Chinese cultural documentary on the art of papercutting titled The Life of Paper-cutting (剪紙人生; Jiǎn zhǐ rén shēng) retrieved from YouTube. The original video was subtitled to identify the challenges in subtitling. The strategies and challenges were first identified and then the process was described. It was found that the most appropriate translation strategies were omission, direct transfer, equivalence, and adaptation. The analysis revealed that the challenges were mainly technical, cultural, and linguistic. The findings can be used as a guide to utilise the translation strategies effectively in subtitling translations of similar audio-visual products to tackle the challenges faced in the Chinese to English translation of culture-specific items.

The analysis and quality assessment of translation strategies in subtitling culturally specific references: Feathers

“…The results showed that the most appropriate translation strategies were omission, direct transfer, equivalence, and adaptation, with retention as the most frequently used strategy. The researchers concluded that to avoid the main challenges identified, whether technical, cultural, or linguistic, translators must be fully aware of the Chinese and English cultures [ 10 ]. These papers indicated the importance of effective subtitling of cultural references to bridge the gap between the English and Chinese cultures, but they did not have consistent results when it came to the framework used or strategies employed to translate cultural references.…”

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

“…[5]From this perspective, translation acts serve the purpose, and the purpose becomes not only the standard of translation, but also the driving force of translation. [6]Also, the translation must conform to the intra-textual coherence standard, that is, the translation is readable and acceptable, enabling the recipient to understand and make sense in the culture of the target language and the communicative context in which it is used.…”

Research on English Translation of Movie Subtitles - Based on the Analysis of the Movie “Mulan”

“…Consequently, analyzing the English translation of the film's subtitles provides valuable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in effectively conveying these themes to a diverse global audience [2,3]. The research topic at hand centers on examining the translation strategies employed in the English subtitles of "Mulan" and their influence on conveying the theme of gender inequality and female empowerment [6]. By closely analyzing the choices made during the translation process, including literal translation, free translation, and cultural adaptation, a more profound understanding can be gained regarding how these strategies shape the audience's interpretation and reception of the film [3].…”

“…Adopting a textual analysis methodology, this study analyzes the English subtitles of "Mulan" in detail. By closely examining the specific translation techniques employed, such as functional equivalence, cultural adaptation, and the utilization of idiomatic expressions, the effectiveness of these strategies in conveying the intended meaning, cultural nuances, and thematic elements of the film can be assessed [6].…”

“…Theoretically, it contributes to the field of translation studies by providing insights into the translation strategies employed in film subtitles, particularly when dealing with complex social issues like gender inequality [4]. By examining the translation choices made in "Mulan", this research sheds light on the broader implications of film translation and its impact on cross-cultural communication and understanding [6]. From a practical standpoint, the findings of this study serve as a valuable resource for translators and filmmakers, offering guidance on how to effectively translate and convey societal issues through film subtitles [7].…”