On C-E Subtitle Translation of New Gods: Nezha Reborn under Skopos Theory

Abstract

Translation plays a vital role in fostering communication and building a bridge for people to get to know a different culture. With the boom of the film industry, films have gradually become a pivotal vehicle in cross-cultural communication. As Chinese films inevitably carry distinctive cultural elements, subtitle quality greatly impacts how well international audiences understand both the narrative and embedded cultural references. This thesis examines the Chinese-to-English subtitles of a Chinese animated film, New Gods: Nezha Reborn, analyzing translation strategies and methods through the lens of Skopos Theory. The study reveals that the translation adheres to the Skopos rule through the use of free translation; follows the coherence rule by employing the domestication translation strategy; and respects the fidelity rule by applying the foreignization translation strategy. Under this view, it is effortless for the foreign audience to grasp the film’s main plot and the high-context Chinese culture. This study can provide guidance for practical subtitle translation and improve effective cross-cultural interaction.