This paper places particular emphasis on dissecting the principal challenges that surface during subtitle translation, as well as the strategies devised to surmount them. It also proposes the ecological translation theory as a robust theoretical scaffolding for both understanding and steering subtitle translation efforts.
The article contends that, notwithstanding the conveniences ushered in by technological advancements in the realm of subtitle translation, human subtitle translators remain indispensable. Their unique ability to discern and capture the subtlest cultural nuances and emotional undertones is unrivalled. Indeed, their professional acumen and cultural sensitivity constitute the bedrock for the production of top-notch subtitle translations.
Keyword：Cultural Adaptation; Inclusivity; English Subtitles; Cross-Cultural Communication; Translation Strategies
1.Introduction
1.1Overview of Subtitling in Translation
Subtitles are a core component of audiovisual translation and play an indispensable bridging role in cross-cultural dissemination. They accurately transform spoken dialogue into written text and present it synchronously with visual images, enabling viewers to understand the content across language barriers. Unlike dubbing, which replaces the original audio, subtitles retain the original voices, allowing viewers to experience the actors' original expressions and the cultural connotations and emotional nuances they carry, which is of great significance[1].
Statistics show that more than 70% of the global online video content viewers choose to watch the versions with subtitles, and the demand for subtitles for foreign language films is particularly prominent. In the process of subtitle production, multiple factors need to be taken into account. On the one hand, the principle of fidelity should be followed to accurately reflect the source language information. On the other hand, the comprehensibility of the target audience should be considered. Strategies such as condensation, which simplifies non-critical dialogues to fit time and space limitations, or explication, which makes implicit cultural information explicit to assist the audience's understanding, are often employed.
The Skopos theory emphasizes that the purpose of translation guides decision-making. In subtitle translation, whether the purpose is entertainment, education, or information dissemination, cultural elements need to be adjusted accordingly to meet the audience's expectations, highlighting the importance of understanding the audience's background. Currently, although machine translation and crowdsourced subtitling have improved efficiency and reduced costs, they struggle when dealing with cultural subtleties and idioms. Professional human translators, with their expertise and cultural sensitivity, remain crucial for ensuring the quality of subtitles[7].
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