A Study of Chinese-English Subtitle Translation Techniques in Amazing China from a Skopos-Theoretic Perspective

Abstract

As a vital carrier of documentary-based communication, subtitle translation determines audiences’ comprehension and acceptance of content. Co-produced by CCTV and BBC, Amazing China presents China’s wildlife resources and varied natural landscapes, owing its global popularity partly to high-quality subtitles. Drawing on Skopos Theory, this paper explores its subtitle-translation techniques under the skopos, coherence and fidelity principles, covering such strategies as addition, omission and word-order shift. It proves these methods balance cultural output and audience receptivity, offering references for cross-cultural subtitle translation to facilitate Chinese culture’s global outreach.