Chapter One
Literature Review
In this chapter, the author will discuss the definition and the development of Nida’s functional equivalence theory, and the previous studies on the American film titles translation.
1.1 An Overview of Functional Equivalence
Functional equivalence, sometimes known as meaning based translation, is Eugene A. Nida’s most notable contribution to translation theory.
Nida (2001: 87) stated as follows:
There is always some loss and distortions in verbal communication since no
two interlocutors ever have exactly the same designative and associative
meaning for the same phonological, lexical, grammatical, and discourse
features. Their grids for comprehension and evaluation are always somewhat
different, but their experience in the use of language and their capacity for
foreign —language empathy make it possible for them to communicate
effectively.
It is a translation method which attempts to convey the ideas or thought of the writer in a source language, often at the expense of the original word order, literalness.
1.1.1 Development of the Theory
In his early essays, Nida (2004) emphasized that not the two languages are identical to each other. And there can be no fully exact translations.
Later Nida (2001) put forth…….
1.1.1.1 Formal Equivalence
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1.1.1.2 Dynamic Equivalence
……….
1.1.1.3 Functional Equivalence
……..
1.1.2 Two Levels of Functional Equivalence
Nida defined his functional equivalence theory into two different levels: the minimal functional equivalence and the maximal functional equivalence. Those two degrees are based on cognitive and experiential factors.
………..
1.2 Previous Studies on the Film Titles Translation
In China, the studies on translation of film titles are far from satisfaction, thus a lot of translators were called for attention to the translation of film titles.
There are quite a lot of professors or scholars have published articles concerning about the translation of American film titles in China. There are mainly three trends: Trend 1: Providing film titles translation skills or techniques only.
For example, Ma Juan (2005) points out that apart from the basic methods of translation, the titles of movies may apply its special techniques because of their specialty in representing special works.
Trend 2: ……
Trend 3: ………
To sum up, ………。