A Comparative Study Of Two Chinese Versions Of The Human Planet’s Subtitles From The Perspective Of Translation Variation Theory

Conceptually based on Huang Zhonglian’s "translation variation theory," this thesis applies the three elements, the seven variation techniques as well as the eleven specific approaches the theory identifies to a comparative study of two Chinese versions of the Human Planet’s subtitles. Three conclusions are reached:first, "variation translation theory" is significant for guiding subtitle translation; secondly, of the two Chinese versions under study, CCTV’s is more faithful to the original while YYeTs’s more flexible in its treatment; and thirdly, because of its generic specialty subtitle translation requires that translators find and employ simple yet maximally expressive words for the rendition of ST. In addition, the "variation translation theory" also heightens the translators’ awareness that in translating subtitle of documentaries, one should put members of the audience first and try his or her best to meet their needs.