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Cross-Modal Translation: A Study of English Subtitle Translation from the Perspective of Multimodal Interaction
Rongbin Wang,
Yaoqin Xue,
Haizhen Wei
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
1-9
Received:
7 December 2021
Accepted:
27 December 2021
Published:
8 January 2022
Abstract: Under the guidance of the Systemic-functional synthetic framework for multimodal discourse analysis, this paper collects multimodal corpus from the classical American TV show Friends and undertakes a thorough qualitative analysis of how cross-modal relations influence the Chinese translation of English subtitles. As is shown, in order to give Chinese viewers a better understanding of English subtitles in multimodal contexts, different translational approaches should be used for the translation of subtitles that are in different cross-modal relations, which are categorized into two general types, that is, complementary relation on the one hand and non-complementary relation on the other hand. The qualitative analysis in this paper finds that though strategies of translation that are appropriate to make use of in the process of English translation into Chinese include amplification, paraphrasing, annotation, direct translation, free translation, and linear translation, the choice of translation approach is directly influenced by cross-modal relations. For example, for subtitles that belong to multimodal discourse of reinforcing complementary relation, it is advisable for translators to make use of translational strategies of amplification, paraphrasing and annotation to highlight the foregrounded meaning expressed by the dominant modality on the one hand, and on the other hand to explicitly and verbally express the background information provided by the backgrounded modality if discourses of two modalities in the same scene form a relation of highlighting. As cross-modal communication becomes continuously widespread and the popularity of English shows keep arising in China, this paper endeavors to provide some useful implications for the translation of English subtitles, which as verbal and auditory discourse is part of a larger multimodal discourse in films.
Abstract: Under the guidance of the Systemic-functional synthetic framework for multimodal discourse analysis, this paper collects multimodal corpus from the classical American TV show Friends and undertakes a thorough qualitative analysis of how cross-modal relations influence the Chinese translation of English subtitles. As is shown, in order to give Chine...
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Corpus-based Translation Study of Cultural Heritage International Publicity--A Case Study of Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
10-19
Received:
8 December 2021
Accepted:
20 December 2021
Published:
24 January 2022
Abstract: With the deepening development of economic globalization, countries all over the world pay more and more attention to the translation of cultural heritage publicity. In foreign communication, publicity translation plays an important role, and Chinese-English translation is also an indispensable means. Therefore, this paper studies takes Huashan Rock Art as the research object, and adopts methods of literature analysis and corpus-based research to realize the publicity translation of cultural heritage application texts. Based on the comparative analysis of Chinese-English translation, it is suggested to strengthen government management, give play to the leading role of the government, attach importance to the training of high-level translation talents, improve the quality of translation, and promote the development of translation research for cultural publicity. There is outstanding significance and universal value of Huashan Rock Art. To protect Huashan Rock Art is to preserve the rich diversity of world cultures and protect our spiritual home. Applying for world cultural heritage is an important way for Huashan Rock Art from ornamental value to research value and then to wealth value enhancement. The study on the translation of Huashan Rock Paintings is of strategic importance to the cultural development of Guangxi. This study provides some reference for the foreign publicity translation of other cultural landscape heritages, therefore it is beneficial to promote the development of corpus translation. Through the translation of Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art application text, it provides a certain direction for the publicity translation of other cultural landscape heritage and it can promote the study of translation commonness. The publicity translation of Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art application text will bring abundant information to the world people and they may know about Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art, Luoyue culture and Chinese culture. Meanwhile, it can better promote the development of cultural tourism industry of Guangxi, even that of China. In addition, the communication and cooperation between China and other countries in the world will be promoted through foreign cultural exchanges, and it is a best approach to promote the development of friendly relations between China and foreign countries.
Abstract: With the deepening development of economic globalization, countries all over the world pay more and more attention to the translation of cultural heritage publicity. In foreign communication, publicity translation plays an important role, and Chinese-English translation is also an indispensable means. Therefore, this paper studies takes Huashan Roc...
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The Disadvantages of Using Mother Tongue in Teaching English on Students’ Speaking and Listening Skills at Universities in Vietnam
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
20-23
Received:
2 January 2022
Accepted:
20 January 2022
Published:
28 January 2022
Abstract: The use of the students’ mother tongue in English during Foreign Language classes has been controversial for a long time. This research paper aimed to determining the students’ attitude and identifying main negative effects of lecturers’ use of mother tongue in English as foreign language classes at universities. This is a cross-sectional study on graduate-level students at five universities in Vietnam in October 2021. We administered a self-reported questionnaire to 385 graduate students on their attitude and practice towards the use of mother tongue in learning English from Vietnamese lecturers, and assess their perceived impacts on students’ speaking and listening skills. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize the results. Nearly all lecturers in the surveyed universities use first language in their lectures, half of respondents assumed that native language was used 20 to 50% of lecture’s time. Most students assessed the two main purposes for using first language were to convey grammar (27.8%) and difficult new words (25.8%) better. 60.0% of students agreed that it is better if both mother tongue and English are used by lecturers in English lessons. While more than half of the respondents disagreed that lecturers’ use of mother tongue impacted negatively on students’ pronunciation, 51% opposed that lecturers’ use of mother tongue limited students’ listening skills. Majority of foreign language classes in graduate level in Vietnam’s universities used both foreign and native language. Most students had a positive outlook on the impact of this dual-language system, however not being aware of the disadvantages of using mother tongue in teaching English to their speaking and listening skills.
Abstract: The use of the students’ mother tongue in English during Foreign Language classes has been controversial for a long time. This research paper aimed to determining the students’ attitude and identifying main negative effects of lecturers’ use of mother tongue in English as foreign language classes at universities. This is a cross-sectional study on ...
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Intertextuality of Chekhov's “The Bet” with the Quran
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
24-30
Received:
6 November 2021
Accepted:
14 February 2022
Published:
28 February 2022
Abstract: The Bet (1889) is one of Chekhov’s short stories that was selected as the corpus of this study. Since a writer’s personal beliefs have influence on her/his works, then, it was normal for Chekhov to be influence by his personal religious beliefs. This story emphasizes the idea that the life of a human is far more valuable than money and it is immeasurable. Moreover, according to the Holy Quran human life is very appreciated. In "The Bet", the prisoner, sleeping as the banker enters, has written a letter stating that he will leave the room just five hours before completing the terms of the bet, thereby forfeiting his right to the fortune. Identifying and understanding intertextuality plays a significant role for a better reading experience which creates new interpretations as it brings another context, idea, story into the text and also offers one way for us to understand texts more properly. Therefore, Chekhov's "The Bet" can be interpreted in the light of intertextuality similar to any written text in the world using intertextual forms such as parody, pastiche, retellings, homage, and allegory. Intertextual elements can be seen in the Bet especially in the lawyer's letter that the lawyer writes abandoning the bet money. The information in the letter demonstrates there is no reason for the murder anymore, because it transfers the lawyer's new found beliefs.
Abstract: The Bet (1889) is one of Chekhov’s short stories that was selected as the corpus of this study. Since a writer’s personal beliefs have influence on her/his works, then, it was normal for Chekhov to be influence by his personal religious beliefs. This story emphasizes the idea that the life of a human is far more valuable than money and it is immeas...
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A Comparison of Professionalism Between Freelance Translators and Translators in a Product Localization Team
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
31-34
Received:
24 February 2022
Accepted:
11 March 2022
Published:
18 March 2022
Abstract: The language barrier is the first impediment that most companies confront when selling their products abroad. Products trying to convert their content into a new language will often settle on two options: translation and localization. Although similar — both are about converting messages into a new language to reach a new audience — translation and localization are two distinct procedures. Therefore, this paper adopts methods of literature analysis and corpus-based research to study how localization differs from translation, in terms of work content, process and skills required for practitioners. Based on literature analysis, the paper concludes that translation is a subset of localization, a broad term encompassing several strategies for adapting information to a new audience. Localization is a more profound and complex conversion procedure than translation. Localization is done with specific target market needs in mind; therefore, it is not only about content, but also a significant aspect of marketing. This article demonstrates through corpus analysis that, while traditional translations place a premium on the literary quality and accuracy of the translation, localized translations place a premium on the translation's fit with the local language idiom and ability to reach a broader audience for the product. Thus, this article summarizes that while freelance translators place a premium on bilingual abilities, self-management, and marketing capabilities, localization group translators place a premium on their ability to flexibly use their cultural background knowledge to adjust translation content to customer tastes.
Abstract: The language barrier is the first impediment that most companies confront when selling their products abroad. Products trying to convert their content into a new language will often settle on two options: translation and localization. Although similar — both are about converting messages into a new language to reach a new audience — translation and...
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A Study on the 1904 Chinese Translated Version of "The Treasure Island"
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
35-40
Received:
4 March 2022
Accepted:
21 March 2022
Published:
29 March 2022
Abstract: Treasure Island is a novel published by Stevenson in England in 1883. Because of its great literary value, it has become a must-read literary work recommended by the Ministry of Education in compulsory education. At present, many translations have been published. It was first introduced in China in 1904 (the 30th year of the Guangxu era). This translation was born in the special historical period of the late Qing Dynasty, which has important research significance, but it has not attracted the attention of relevant research in mainland China, and more research has focused on the new translation within Chinese domestic. Based on this, this study takes the scanning version of Treasure Island published by the Commercial Press in 1904 as the object, studies some features of this version. It was found that this version is a re-creation of the original text that is adapted to the culture of the country. The language form selects a high variety language with high communication ability, avoiding sensitive and offensive content, changing the narrative perspective, and making a condensed description at the same time. These experiences may have some help in countering cultural colonialism and protecting weak cultures today, and also make supplements to the translation research activities in the late Qing Dynasty.
Abstract: Treasure Island is a novel published by Stevenson in England in 1883. Because of its great literary value, it has become a must-read literary work recommended by the Ministry of Education in compulsory education. At present, many translations have been published. It was first introduced in China in 1904 (the 30th year of the Guangxu era). This tran...
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