Norms In Subtitling

Translation means introducing new things. It is an important way of enhancing the mutual understanding and exchange between different cultures, and also a necessary carrier of a nation's cultural identity.As it has been conceived in Western culture, translation theory is normative. Since its origin in Cicero's instructions to the orator, Western translation theory has restrictively consisted of instructions to someone on how to translate. In recent decades, the assumption that translation theory exists to devise prescriptive rules for translators to follow has increasingly been questioned, and a number for theories have attempted to explore translation in descriptive ways. They seek to break away from the normative model by studying the socio-ideological systems governing the production and interpretation of texts in the SL and the TL, and tend to give preference to the target cultural system, insisting that the target system will naturally attempt to fit a translated text into its own reigning norms.Norms can be defined as the social reality of the correctness notions. A task of norm theory is to make clear how the social reality of norms and the objectivity of correctness concepts come about, is constituted and is achieved in a society. A theory of linguistic norms is a descriptive rather than prescriptive endeavor, meant to provide part of the background for socio-linguistics. Norm theory of linguistics investigates types of norms, their function, their justification with respect of assumed values, and their systematic properties. Norms can be learned not only under restrictions by social conditions but also under restrictions by human ways of systemizing all kinds of data. Leamability of linguistic norms is originated from systemization of the linguistic data that are formed unconsciously in people's minds. The objectivity and inter-subjectivity make it possible for the individual to build up norm concepts in such a way that he and others can think of them as objectivity and inter-subjectivity valid. Furthermore, linguistic norms play an important role in planning of the status of language—the language standardization by elaboration and cultivation on linguistic norms. At the same time, norm conflicts areconsidered as a motor of change, and therefore, can be used in a norm-theoretic analysis of multi-lingual and multi-cultural societies.Subtitling is a newly-emerged translation sphere, which should be put into a wide dynamic multi-cultural background. Subtitling, due to its nature and features, is restricted by constraints different from translation of regular modes, such as formal factors and textual factors. The former refers to those given to subtitles by the visual quality of subtitles, and the latter consists of time and space, especially time playing a crucial role in subtitlers' decisions.Diachronic and synchronic approaches are used in this thesis. By use of the norm theories stipulated by Toury, Chesterman, Komissarov, Hermans, and Pym, the author puts forward that subtitling is not only a norm-governed communicative activity, but a norm-setting activity as well. By further setting up a norm model applicable to subtitling, the author insists that norm theory broaden translation studies and can be widely used to instruct translation practice. This thesis consists of four chapters.Chapter one analyses the nature of norms from the aspects of the definition, relationships between the notions of correctness and norms, the learnability of norms and relationships between norms, conventions and rules. Then it goes on to analyze translation as norm-governed activity.Chapter two analyzes and comments norm theories stipulated by Toury, Chesterman, Komissarov, Hermans, and Pym, and then further puts forward that translation is a norm-setting activity.After the analysis of subtitling as norm-governed activity, Chapter three develops a tripartite norm model based on Toury's norm theory and Chesterman's theory: Preliminary norms, Professional norms (accountability norms, communication norms, and relation norms), and Operational norms (formal norms and textual-linguistic norms), which is applicable to subtitling. Though the norms in this model are superficially the same as those of Toury's and Chesterman's, they are essentially different from them.Chapter four makes a comparison between a subtitling version and a playwright version of movie entitled as Notting Hill, to prove the significance of norm theories in translation for instructing subtitling.A conclusion is drawn that subtitling is not only a norm-governed activity, but also a norm-setting activity. Under the instruction of norm theories, studies on subtitling theories and practice will make more and more progress.