2.2 Introduction to Film Subtitle Translation源'自:吹冰`!论~文'网www.chuibin.com

2.2.1 Functions of subtitle translation 

Subtitling is the written form of oral language in a film or TV programmes which is translated into audiences’ language. It often appears at the bottom of the screen. In Shuttleworth and Cowie’s Dictionary of Translation Studies, subtitle translation is defined as “…the process of providing synchronized captions for film and television dialogue” (Shuttleworth and Cowie 161). The functions of film subtitle translation can be analyzed as follows: 

First, subtitle translation narrates the plots of the films and helps the audience understand the plots of film. Subtitles reproduce the film scripts and present the information of conversations directly thus audience can clearly understand the information of oral and body language. Also they can make full use of vision and hearing. The limited time and space of a film increases the difficulty of narration but subtitles can produce the most relevant information in limited space and time.