Subtitle translation of The Story of Minglan from a Cross-cultural Perspective

School of Foreign Languages, Qilu University of Technology(Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, China

^* Corresponding author: 202210090021@stu.qlu.edu.cn

Abstract

In the context of the ever-expanding global reach of Chinese film and television productions, ancient costume dramas, as a cinematic and televisual genre infused with prominent Chinese cultural traits, have come under intense scrutiny. The Story of Minglan, in particular, stands out as a prime exemplar within this genre. This research focuses on the subtitle translation of this drama and deeply analyzes its translation strategies and practical effects from a cross-cultural perspective. On one hand, this research analyzes the translation of numerous culture-loaded terms in the drama, which are rich and unique and cover aspects. On the other hand, this study delves into the translation methods for various forms of language art. By analyzing typical subtitle translation cases in the drama (mainly based on YouTube translations), this study reveals the crucial role of cross-cultural subtitle translation in promoting cultural exchange and breaking down cultural barriers. It provides translation ideas and methods of reference for Chinese ancient costume dramas and even more film and television works rich in profound cultural connotations to go global, thus facilitating the international dissemination of outstanding traditional Chinese culture.