On The Audio-visual Subtitle Translation Of The Simpsons From Skopostheorie Perspective

As an important element in foreign Audiovusual works, subtitle translation has yet gain sufficient study in translation studies, and the Skopostheorie presented by Hans J. Vermeer provides the fundamental source of theorization in this paper. In light of Skopostheorie, the author made a comprehensive analysis of subtitle translation of The Simpsons, and pointed out the fact that the AVT, which is a special type of translation, should not only be guided by translation studies, but also be constrained by properties of Audiovisual materials, whose subtitle is visible in few seconds.A descriptive method combining case analysis is adopted in analyzing the subtitle translation of The Simpsons, in which dialogues are selected. The application of Skopostheorie to the case study concludes that two main translation strategies- addition and reduction are most frequently used in the practice in order to fulfill the needs of the audience, which is to understand the activities on the screen with least effort.Considered as one of the most popular cartoons in America and around the world, The Simpsons has sophisticated humor, which is sarcastic, laughter-provoking and thought-provoking, and the research in the cartoon in China is not as common as in America, thus it is necessary to make an attempt.The study of subtitle translation is hoped to shed light on future AVT study, and it is true that this research has its own disadvantages, more efforts and contribution of the AVT and study on The Simpsons is needed.