关联理论视角下英语电影片名双关语的翻译策略研究

E-C Translation of Puns in English Movie Titles from the Perspective of Relevance Theory

在关联理论框架下,译文和原文之间的关系基于释义相似性,而非对等性。为达到最佳关联,译者会采用不同的策略来再现原文的认知效果,同时最小化目标读者所需要付出的处理努力。通过分析50组含有双关语的英文电影名及其在中国市场的译名,发现译者在翻译双关语的过程中,策略的选择可以用关联性来解释。当两种语言之间有相同的映射关系时,译者往往进行字面翻译,充分再现原片名的语言特色和语义内容。反之,则考量双关效果和语义内容的相关性,采取译为类双关语、牺牲双关增补语义、保留部分语义或不保留语义等翻译策略。这样的翻译原则对于其他外文电影名称的汉译具有一定的借鉴价值。

This paper aims to analyze the translation of puns from a relevance theory perspective. According to this theory, the relation between a translation and its source text should be defined on the basis of interpretive resemblance, rather than on equivalence. To seek optimal relevance, the translator would use different strategies to maximize the cognitive effects intended by the source communicator and minimize the mental effort required of the target addressee. After analyzing 50 English film titles containing puns and their Chinese equivalents in domestic market, it is found that the selection of strategy is largely determined by the principle of relevance. When there is a mapping correspondence between the source and target language, the translators would render the pun literally to reproduce the linguistic features and semantic content of the original text. In other cases, they would balance effects and effort, and opt to strategies like punoid, non-pun plus semantic addition, non-pun with part of or without the semantic content. It is hoped that this trial may shed some light on the translation of foreign films titles.