On Subtitle Translation Strategies under the Guidance of Relevance Theory: With Evidence from the Movie Wandering Earth 2

Abstract

With Chinese films increasingly reaching international audiences, the role of subtitle translation as a crucial facilitator of cultural exchange and comprehension has become paramount. This study, employing Relevance Theory as the theoretical framework, investigates the strategies in translating the subtitling of Wanderding Earth 2, a Chinese sci-fi blockbuster. The findings reveal that to achieve optimal relevance, the translator can employ a combination of textual and cognitive strategies. At the textual level, techniques such as omission, addition, and paraphrase are used to overcome space and time constraints and enhance clarity. At the (cultural) level, strategies including domestication and foreignization strategies are observed, effectively minimizing comprehension barriers while introducing Chinese cultural concepts. This research underscores the explanatory power of Relevance Theory in audiovisual translation and offers practical insights into effective subtitle translation strategies.