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How Does “A Steed Raising Red Dust” Traverse the Screen?-Analyzing the Treatment and Communication Strategies of Culture-Loaded Words in the Subtitle Translation of Chang’an’s Lychees Based on Functional Equivalence Theory

Author(s)

Shi Yingni, Tan Miao

Affiliation(s)

Xi’an Fanyi University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

Abstract

With the deepening implementation of China's “Going Global” strategy for the cultural industry, the film and television adaptation of historical literary works and their overseas dissemination have become important pathways for telling China's stories well and conveying China's voice. Ma Boyong's historical novel Chang'an's Lychees has been widely praised for its meticulous depiction of the texture of the Tang Dynasty's golden age under a “microhistorical perspective.” Its film and television adaptation carries a wealth of cultural symbols and historical details from the high Tang period. The work tells the thrilling story of Li Shande, a minor Tang official, as he undertakes the “impossible task” of transporting fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an, showcasing the bureaucratic ecosystem, logistics, transportation, and cultural landscape of the Tang Dynasty. Subtitle translation, as a key bridge connecting the original work with a global audience, not only undertakes the task of language conversion but also faces the immense challenge of effectively conveying profound Chinese cultural connotations. Compared to literary translation, audiovisual subtitle translation is constrained by spatiotemporal factors (onscreen space and display time) and modality (the need to synchronize with visuals and sound), making its strategy selection particularly unique. This study focuses on the subtitle translation of the film and television drama Chang'an's Lychees, using Nida's Functional Equivalence Theory as a framework to analyze the English translation strategies employed for culture-loaded words within it (such as official titles, artifacts, customs, poetic allusions, etc.). By exploring these issues, this study aims to provide practical cases and theoretical reflections that can be used for reference in the subtitle translation of Chinese historical film and television works, thereby aiding the accurate and effective international communication of Chinese culture.

Keywords

ubtitle Translation; Culture-Loaded Words; Chang'an's Lychees; Functional Equivalence Theory; Historical Film

References

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