A Tentative Study on Translation Tactics of Culture-loaded Words Based on Domestication and Foreignization

A Case Analysis of The Last Emperor Film

Abstract

Against the backdrop of globalization, the world has become interdependent, and cross-cultural communication between countries is more often than before. As a modern mass communication medium, the film plays an overriding role in cross-cultural communication between different cultures. However, the ever-ballooning domestic demand in China for international films sheds light on the importance of subtitle translation. Yet, cultural differences make it hard to translate many culture-loaded words with unique national hallmarks in the original films. Revolving around the 1987 film The Last Emperor, this paper selects several typical representative culture-loaded words from the film subtitles. This paper examines factors that may sway the selection of translation tactics for culture-loaded words through the lens of domestication and foreignization. In addition, it delves into the translation methods for translating such words. In doing so, it is hoped that the cultural connotations behind the language could be faithfully conveyed and that the cultural exchanges between countries and nations can be better promoted.