INTRODUCTION
LITERATURE REVIEW
An overview of translation
Translation plays a crucial role in addressing various issues related to commerce, tourism, policy, and culture across countries In today's globalized world, the need for translation services is more vital than ever As Catford (1965) noted, "translation is an operation performed on languages: a process of substituting a text in one language for a text in another."
Similarly, in the eye of Koller, translation was seen as a “text-processing activity” and “equivalence” is a significant function which was highlighted:
Translation is the process of converting a text from a source language (L1) into a target language (L2), resulting in a new text that maintains a translational or equivalence relationship with the original.
Newmark defines translation as a craft that involves the effort to convey a written message or statement from one language to another, ensuring that the meaning remains intact.
This concept is shared by Barnwell who defines in her Bible translation (1986) that “translation is re-telling, as exactly as possible, the meaning of the original
7 message in a way that is natural in the language into which the translation is being made”
Magdy M Zaky defines translation as the process of conveying the meaning of a linguistic discourse from one language to another, focusing on meaning rather than the original words or grammatical structures This perspective highlights the importance of meaning transfer in translation, aligning with the definitions provided by others in the field.
Another definition was introduced by Roger T Bell in his book Translation and
In "Translating: Theory and Practice" (1991), the author defines translation as the expression of content from a source language into a target language while maintaining both semantic and stylistic equivalencies He emphasizes that translation involves replacing a representation of a text in one language with an equivalent representation in another, highlighting the challenges of achieving equivalence in the process.
Translation is the process of converting words or texts from one language to another in a natural manner To achieve this, translators must possess a deep understanding of both the language and the culture associated with the original text.
In his 1988 work, A Textbook of Translation, Peter Newmark distinguished between translation methods, which pertain to entire texts, and translation procedures, which focus on sentences and smaller language units Delisle (1999) further defined translation procedures as the techniques that translators utilize to establish equivalence, facilitating the transfer of meaning from the Source Text (ST) to the Target Text (TT).
Wolfram Wilss categorizes translation procedures into two primary types: literal translation, which encompasses loan translation (calque), word-for-word translation, and literal translation, and non-literal translation, which includes transposition and modulation.
Vinay and Darbelnet categorize translation into two main types: direct (or literal) translation and indirect (or oblique) translation Direct translation includes techniques such as borrowing, calque, and literal translation, while indirect translation encompasses four methods: transposition, modulation, equivalence, and adaptation.
This thesis utilizes Peter Newmark's categorization of translation procedures from his book, A Textbook of Translation Newmark identifies various methods, including literal translation, transference, naturalization, through translation, shift/transposition, modulation, cultural equivalent, functional equivalent, descriptive equivalent, notes, additions, glosses, and couplets Each of these procedures possesses unique characteristics and is applicable in different contextual scenarios.
In his 1988 book "Approaches to Translation," Newmark describes literal translation as a method employed when the source language term is clear, semantically driven, and conforms to standardized language.
Vinay and Darbelnet highlight that word-for-word translation is most prevalent among languages that share the same family and cultural background In alignment with this, Newmark emphasizes that literal translation is “the most important of the procedures” (1988: 81).
Literal translation encompasses various levels, including word-to-word, group-to-group, collocation-to-collocation, clause-to-clause, and sentence-to-sentence translations According to Newmark, utilizing literal translation beyond the word level is the only appropriate method when translating.
SL and TL meaning correspond, or correspond more closely than any alternative; that
The term "9" signifies that certain words not only denote the same concept but also share similar associations Consequently, it was concluded that literal translation is valid and should not be disregarded, provided it maintains referential and pragmatic equivalence to the original text.
This procedure, can be called loan word / transcription or borrowing, is the situation when the SL word is directly taken into the TL text without any translation
This procedure is one of the simplest, as translators can directly incorporate the original word into the target text However, its application is limited to specific situations.
An overview of movie title
2.2.1 Movie title and its functions
The movie title serves as the audience's initial impression, guiding their decision on whether to watch the film According to Kolstrup, Sūren (1996), movie titles fulfill specific functions that are crucial for attracting viewers.
The primary function of a title is to identify a text or film, enabling meaningful discussion and analysis Without this crucial identification, promoting sales or conducting research would be challenging Just as individuals require names, books and films need titles to facilitate easier and more convenient conversations about them.
The title of a film plays a crucial role in shaping audience perception and interpretation, often highlighting a specific viewpoint or summarizing the film's essence Even a single word title, such as "Contraband" or "Shameless," can convey significant meaning to viewers prior to watching the film This leads to the title's third function: promoting the film An effective title piques audience curiosity and motivates them to engage with the movie.
Movie titles used in the research are divided into three sub-groups: nominal titles, verbal titles and adjectival titles
Verbal titles, as defined by Mardh, feature a verb phrase or a segment of a verb phrase that is not governed by a noun phrase In English film titles, numerous examples of verbal titles exist, including "Be Cool," "Being Human," and "Coming Home." These titles can take various forms, ranging from infinitive verbs to gerunds.
Nominal titles, defined as expressions led by a noun (Radford, 1997), can be categorized into various structural types, including unmodified, pre-modified, post-modified, and pre-post modified Examples of these types include titles like "Bad Boys," "Bride Wars," and "The."
Adjustment Bureau, and The secret life of bees are some among a good deal of nominal
Adjectival titles, which serve as adjectives, are less common in movies compared to nominal or verbal titles In fact, there are only fifteen adjectival movie titles, including examples like "Faster," "Closer," and "Safe."
2.2.3 Principles of English movie title translation
This article discusses three key principles derived from Thuy Duong's 2004 thesis at Hanoi University, focusing on the translation of English movie titles into Vietnamese These principles emphasize the importance of faithfulness to context, cultural awareness, and the integration of both commercial and aesthetic effects in translation practices.
The primary principle of title translation is ensuring that the title aligns with the content of the film In movie translation, the title in the target language must be relevant to the source language title, reflecting key elements such as the event, plot, actors, theme, or setting For instance, "Bride Wars" is translated as "Cuộc chiến nàng dâu," effectively summarizing the film's essence Similarly, "Eragon" is translated to "Cậu bé Eragon," clarifying that the story centers around a boy named Eragon Therefore, it is crucial for translators to create a target-language title that maintains the original meaning or connects with the movie's content.
Cultural awareness is a crucial principle in movie title translation, as it helps prevent misunderstandings among viewers While not all American films have culture-specific titles, considering cultural factors is essential For instance, the movie “Red Eye” exemplifies the disconnect between its title and content; in the U.S., "Red Eye" refers to both a literal "red eye" and a night flight, which aligns with the film's themes However, the Vietnamese translation as “mắt đỏ” fails to convey any relevant meaning, leading to audience disappointment after viewing the film.
Combination of commercial and aesthetic effects:
In today's film industry, a movie title serves not only to attract viewers but also to enhance the profitability of production companies A well-translated title must maintain its commercial appeal and aesthetic value For example, the English title "Just Married" is translated to "Yêu là cưới," which effectively incorporates the word "yêu," meaning "love," to create a more engaging title This addition makes "Yêu là cưới" more appealing to audiences than a literal translation like "mới cưới." Ultimately, an effective movie title translation strikes a perfect balance between commercial success and artistic expression.
Previous studies and remaining issues
Up to now, there have been quite a few studies relating to the author’s One example is the research on newspapers headlines of Kenneth Beare (1989) in
“Understanding Newspaper Headlines” He lists some common structures of newspaper headlines such as Noun phrases, Noun strings, Infinitive to indicate future
Thomas Gergeley (1992) categorizes newspaper headlines into three distinct types based on their content: comment titles, recitation titles, and affirmation titles Additionally, Readitnweep (2001) highlights the importance of these categories in effective headline writing.
16 some important strategies to write headlines so that they can attract the reader's attention
Recent studies have explored the translation of film titles from English to various languages, including Chinese and Danish, focusing on the factors influencing title selection and the techniques employed Research on Chinese film title translation examines the decision-making process behind title choices, while Danish studies analyze specific translation strategies Additionally, there is a notable study in Vietnam that contributes to the understanding of this field.
The study conducted by Hanoi University explores the translation of English movie titles into Vietnamese, focusing on key principles and effective translation strategies It presents a selection of engaging and recognizable movie titles, highlighting the nuances involved in the translation process.
The translation of movie titles from English to Vietnamese has been largely overlooked by students at Universities of Languages and International Studies, in contrast to the more commonly studied translation of news headlines and film subtitles According to data from the B3 Library at FELTE, ULIS, out of 159 graduation papers in the field of translating and interpreting, only 5 focus on news headlines and 6 on films, with none addressing the translation of movie titles This gap in research prompted the author to undertake a study on movie title translation procedures, aiming to establish a new research trend that complements existing studies.
METHODOLOGY
Selection of subjects
The study examines the translation procedures of English movie titles broadcasted on television, with a specific focus on titles from four major channels: HBO, Star Movies, and Cinemax.
K+ has emerged as a significant player in the international film channel landscape, joining the well-established HBO, Cinemax, and Star Movies, which were noted for their strong commercial presence in 2010 Over the past three years, K+ has enhanced viewer experience by offering a wider range of film services, allowing audiences to enjoy films more frequently Due to its growing popularity, K+ along with the other three channels has been selected as a primary source for research subjects in this study.
In addition to key topics, five experienced movie translators were interviewed to provide objective insights into three research questions Each translator has a substantial background in the field, contributing valuable perspectives on translation procedures and strategies, which are essential for this research.
Research instruments
There are two instruments for carrying out the research, namely, document data analysis and interview
As mentioned above, the document data was collected from four channels HBO,
Cinemax, K+, Star Movie and categorized into three groups: nominal titles, verbal titles, and adjectival titles
The interview form consists of eight concise questions that provide valuable insights into the three primary research questions To enhance convenience and efficiency for participants, the questions were originally composed in Vietnamese Both Vietnamese and English versions of the interview questions are available in the Appendix.
Data collection procedures
There are two separate but concurrent phases in data collection process
The initial phase involved the collection and categorization of English movie titles aired on four channels from November 2012 to February 2013 Once the author compiled a list of approximately 150 titles, they began analyzing common features and organizing the movies into distinct categories for easier calculation and analysis.
The second phase involves conducting face-to-face interviews with five selected translators, each possessing two to six years of experience in movie translation These professionals are affiliated with VTV3's Weekend Movies Program, as well as the websites viettorrent.vn and phudeviet.com.
Data analysis procedures …
Data analysis is carried out carefully in two stages to answer three research questions stated in the first chapter
In the initial phase, the translation procedures for selected movie titles were identified, categorized, quantified, and presented as percentages, utilizing charts and tables for easier analysis This approach effectively addressed the first two questions: determining the translation methods applied to each type of movie title and identifying the most prevalent procedure for each category.
In the second stage, data was gathered from interviews to address the third question, focusing on the criteria for translating English movie titles Professional translators provided insights and recommendations on effective movie title translation, which were compiled and presented in the thesis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Procedures in translation of movie titles on researched television channels …
The article categorizes movie titles into three groups: nominal, verbal, and adjectival titles, each with distinct grammatical structures and characteristics that necessitate different translation approaches from English to Vietnamese Among the eleven translation procedures discussed in Chapter 2, certain methods are rarely used, while others are frequently employed in the translation of movie titles The subsequent sections provide specific statistics and analyses of these procedures for each title type, addressing research questions 1 and 2.
4.1.1 Procedures in translation of nominal titles
Proper name is an inevitable part in English movie titles
Table 1: Samples of procedures in translating proper noun titles
No English title Vietnamese title Translation Procedure
1 Anna and the King Anna và hoàng đế Transference
2 Beetle Juice Beetle Juice Transference
3 Ben Hur Ben Hur Transference
5 Brokeback Mountain Núi Brokeback Transference
Alcatraz Nhà tù đảo Alcatraz
Loch Ness Quái vật hồ Loch Ness
The calculating result of 30 proper noun titles is represented in the chart below:
Literal translation Chart 4.1 Procedures in translation of proper noun titles
The analysis reveals that four primary translation procedures are employed for English proper noun titles: transference, modulation, literal translation, and couplet Notably, transference dominates, comprising 50 percent of the methods used, making it the most prevalent choice for translating these titles This trend is easily justifiable given the nature of proper nouns.
In translation, each proper name signifies a distinct entity, and adhering to the principle of faithfulness to context is crucial Translators should retain the original titles to preserve their intended impact in the target culture, just as they exist in the source culture This approach, known as the transference procedure, applies to titles like "Chicago," "Anna and the King," and "Mr & Mrs Smith."
Mrs Smith and similar examples exemplify Newmark's theory on transference, which applies to various names, including personal names, newspaper titles, geographical locations, street names, untranslated literary works, plays, films, and names of private companies and institutions (1988).
Transference often proves ineffective in translation, necessitating the use of additional words to clarify titles for audiences For instance, many Vietnamese viewers may not recognize Alcatraz without the translated title "Nhà tù đảo Alcatraz," and the character Eragon might remain unclear until referred to as "Cậu bé Eragon." Consequently, the couplet procedure is crucial for effectively conveying such titles, with research indicating its usage at 33.33%, while modulation and literal translation show significantly lower rates among the selected items.
Translators often adapt movie titles when the original name lacks meaning or appeal for Vietnamese audiences For example, while "Kramer vs Kramer" may have an intriguing sound, it fails to resonate with local viewers In contrast, the translated title "Gà trống" effectively captures the essence and engages the audience.
"23 Nuôi Con" offers a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by a father juggling work and parenting after his wife leaves him The film, akin to "Kramer vs Kramer," follows Ted Kramer, a career-driven man who must navigate the complexities of single fatherhood while caring for his young son, Billy As Ted learns to manage household responsibilities and bond with his son, his estranged wife, Joanna, reappears, seeking custody Their ensuing legal battle highlights the emotional stakes of parenthood and the struggle for family unity, making "Gà Trống Nuôi Con" a fitting adaptation of the original narrative.
Among the 30 proper noun titles analyzed, only one instance utilizes literal translation: “Nước Úc,” which translates to “Australia.” While this translation is technically correct, the original title represents a well-known country and could remain unchanged as “Australia.” Consequently, literal translation is seldom used for proper noun titles.
The main conclusion is that there are four key procedures for translating proper noun titles: transference, modulation, literal translation, and couplet Among these, transference and couplet are the most commonly employed methods for translating English proper noun titles into Vietnamese These approaches prioritize fidelity to the context of movie translation.
Table 2: Samples of non-proper noun titles:
No English title Vietnamese title
1 Aliens in the attic Quái vật trên gác xép Literal translation
2 Contraband Hàng lậu Literal translation
3 December boys Những chàng trai tháng 12 Literal translation
4 Bride wars Cuộc chiến nàng dâu Literal translation
5 Pillar of the earth Trụ cột trái đất Literal translation
6 Friends with benefits Tình bạn - Bạn tình Modulation
7 Gossip girls Thế giới của nàng Modulation
8 First daughter Đệ nhất tiểu thư Modulation
9 Human target Điệp vụ mật Modulation
10 Lethal Weapon Vũ khí tối thượng Modulation
The following chart displays the calculation of sample titles:
Chart 4.2 Procedures in translation of non-proper noun titles
Modulation Literal translation Transposition Couplet Descriptive equivalent
Five procedures applied for non-proper noun titles are literal translation,
In the realm of title translation, modulation and literal translation stand out as the most prevalent techniques The nominal titles often provide significant insight into the movie's characters, settings, and plots, making literal translation an effective and straightforward approach For instance, translations like Cuộc chiến nàng dâu for Bride Wars, Những chàng trai tháng 12 for December Boys, and Cuộc đua thú vị for The Amazing Race exemplify how relevant and reasonable these translations can be.
In many cases, literal translation fails to preserve the artistic impact of titles, necessitating the use of modulation For instance, examining titles like "Bad Boys" and "First Daughter" illustrates how non-literal translations can better convey the intended meaning and emotional resonance.
The term "bad" is translated as "hư hỏng" in the title "Những chàng trai hư hỏng," while "First daughter" is rendered as "Đệ nhất tiểu thư" instead of "Con gái cả." These translations showcased on television channels effectively fulfill aesthetic requirements.
The couplet procedure is frequently adapted in translation, especially for cultural terms, where transference can be paired with a cultural or functional equivalent (Newmark, 1988) In practice, title translation often employs a couplet approach, combining transference or literal translation with a descriptive equivalent, as seen in examples like "Yêu không ràng buộc" for "No Strings Attached" and "Đế chế đường lát ván" for "Boardwalk Empire."
English speakers often favor nouns over verbs when discussing concepts, whereas Vietnamese speakers typically prefer verbs This difference in linguistic preference is reflected in the translation of movie titles, exemplified by "Homeland," translated as "Trở về," and "The Bucket List," translated as "Tận hưởng ngày cuối."
Descriptive equivalents are rarely used in translations as they often result in longer titles compared to the original For instance, "The Answer Man" becomes "Người nắm giữ câu trả lời," and "Hairspray" translates to "Người đẹp keo xịt tóc." This lengthening can make it more challenging for audiences to read, listen to, or remember the film titles.
Recommendations on translation of movie titles based on criteria suggested by experienced translators
In addition to analyzing collected data, the author conducted interviews with five experienced movie translators, each with two to six years of expertise in translating film titles and subtitles The criteria and strategies discussed in this section are derived from these interviews and are further supported by insights shared by dedicated translators on forums such as phudeviet.org and hdvietnam.com.
4.2.1 Criteria to translate movie title
Translators and interpreters must prioritize three essential codes: Accuracy, Communicativeness, and Aesthetics Insights from interviews with movie translators reveal that these principles are grounded in practical, on-the-job experiences.
Maintaining emblematic effect of titles
Translating English movie titles requires a comprehensive understanding of the film's content to accurately convey its essence Research participants unanimously agree that while the title is the first aspect viewers encounter, it is often the last element to be translated Translators typically watch the entire movie, review the content, and translate the subtitles before considering the title This approach ensures that the title aligns with the film's narrative while retaining its appeal to attract audiences Notable examples include "Friends with Benefits" (Tình bạn – bạn tình), "Just Married" (Yêu là cưới), and "Supernatural" (Siêu nhiên).
Some movie titles, while effectively conveying their emblematic essence in translation, often spark heated debates among audiences For instance, the film R.E.D has faced criticism for its Vietnamese title, "CIA tái xuất," which many believe lacks relevance to the original title that literally translates to "sắc đỏ." However, the acronym "R.E.D" actually stands for "Retired, Extremely Dangerous," which could be more accurately translated as "Về hưu nhưng cực kỳ nguy hiểm." The film follows a former black-ops CIA agent who must reunite his old team to protect himself and uncover those threatening his peaceful retirement This context highlights the complexities involved in translating movie titles while maintaining their intended meaning.
The return of "CIA tái xuất" is entirely justified, as it captures the essence of the main character while creating a thrilling and fast-paced atmosphere typical of an action film Without the dedicated and insightful work of translators, the movie title would lack its unique and captivating impact.
Movies are not just entertainment; they are a form of art that aims to resonate deeply with audiences Translators play a crucial role in conveying the imagery and emotional depth of English movie titles in their native languages Their goal is to spark curiosity and interest among viewers, both in the original and target cultures For instance, the title "Forever Young" is translated as "Mãi mãi tuổi thanh xuân," which, while longer, employs alliteration to enhance its appeal Similarly, "Die Hard" is translated to "Tử thủ," a title that evokes a sense of mystery and excitement, effectively engaging the audience.
Obeying the four-word rule
Translators, especially those working with movie titles, often adhere to the KISS principle—Keep It Short and Simple—while following a specific guideline of a maximum of four words This approach ensures that translated titles remain concise, comprehensive, rhythmic, and expressive As noted in discussions among film translators on hdvietnam.com, only three out of 105 analyzed titles exceeded the four-word limit This rule significantly contributes to creating tight structures and rhythmic sounds in translated titles.
4.2.2 Recommendations on movie title translation
From some criteria which are drawn through the real encounter, some specific suggestions to translate movie titles are recommended as follow:
The transference procedure is highly recommended for proper noun titles, as it preserves the original sound and rhythm without translation This approach effectively captures the audience's attention, enhancing the impact of the title.
While not commonly employed for general translation, this strategy is essential English films often feature titles based on characters or locations, particularly those involving iconic heroes and heroines like Mr Bean and Harry Potter.
Translating titles effectively often requires more than just direct translation; sometimes, a different strategy or a combination of methods is necessary to create an engaging and clear title for the audience A translator from the Phudeviet organization emphasizes that it is a misconception that proper names can always remain unchanged in the target language According to the regulations set by the National Film Board of Vietnam, imported movies must have their titles adapted for the Vietnamese market.
34 made localization For example, Amazon is better translated into Khám phá Amazon, Skyfall seems more understandable when transferred into Tử địa Skyfall
Literal translation is the most common and straightforward method for translating titles, requiring translators to convey the title's exact meaning in the target language This strategy is prevalent in English film title translations, encompassing various types such as nominal, verbal, and adjectival titles By adhering closely to the original content and form, literal translation ensures that the translated title closely resembles the original in both appearance and meaning.
Film titles are often translated literally as the initial step to determine their acceptability, ensuring fidelity to the original structure and meaning This method is particularly effective when the title aligns with the film's story or theme, allowing translators to proceed confidently Many English movie titles exemplify this approach, such as "Cuộc chiến nàng dâu" for "Bride Wars" and "Tìm kiếm Nemo" for "Finding Nemo." Consequently, literal translation emerges as the preferred choice for translators when the original title is both appealing and reflective of the film's content or theme.
In translation, enhancing the original title with additional details—often referred to as addition, description, or tagline translation—is essential when a literal translation fails to resonate with the target audience's cultural expectations For example, the title "The Answer Man" is translated as "Người nắm giữ câu trả lời," while "Hairspray" becomes "Người đẹp keo xịt tóc," effectively conveying both meaning and cultural relevance.
English is a polyphonic language, while Vietnamese is monophonic, leading to longer Vietnamese titles compared to their English counterparts A practical approach to address this is the use of Sino-Vietnamese words, which allows for concise titles that mirror the source language This technique resembles the modulation process, where pure Vietnamese cannot fully convey the directors' intentions For example, titles like "Die Hard" (Tử thủ) and "First Daughter" (Đệ nhất tiểu thư) effectively illustrate the advantages of incorporating Sino-Vietnamese words This strategy preserves both the succinctness and aesthetic appeal of the original titles.
Translating movie titles often involves a challenging strategy that serves as a last resort for filmmakers Directors invest significant time in crafting titles that effectively balance brevity, commercial appeal, and aesthetic quality This complex task poses considerable difficulties for translators, as they strive to create titles that resonate with audiences while meeting these demanding criteria.
CONCLUSION
Summary of the findings
The increasing interest in movie title translation has sparked discussions across various platforms, including newspapers like Hoahoctro and online articles from Vietnamnet, as well as forums such as hdvietnam.com and dienanh.net As the intellectual standards of the Vietnamese population rise, so does their scrutiny of movie translations, prompting filmmakers and translators to adopt a more serious approach to their work This paper explores the linguistic features and functions of English movie titles, systematically presenting the procedures and strategies involved in their translation It addresses three key research questions: the methods for translating nominal, verbal, and adjectival movie titles, the predominant procedures and their rationale, and the criteria and strategies employed in the translation process.
The study reveals that certain translation procedures, such as naturalization, functional equivalent, and cultural equivalent, are infrequently utilized in movie title translations In contrast, procedures like transference, translation, modulation, and transposition are commonly employed Additionally, descriptive equivalents and couplets are used, albeit with less frequency.
Translators often use the transference procedure for proper noun titles to maintain the originality of the entity Additionally, a combination of transference and addition serves as a secondary method, utilized when the title requires both techniques for effective translation.
38 itself cannot make sense to the audiences Literal translation and modulation are used with the lowest level for this kind of titles
The two most effective procedures for translating non-proper noun movie titles are the simplest methods that align with the principles of movie title translation Additionally, three other techniques that can be utilized include transposition, descriptive equivalent, and couplet.
Verbal and adjectival titles yield similar outcomes, employing three key procedures: translation, modulation, and transposition Among these, translation is the most frequently utilized method due to its practical applicability.
In the realm of translation strategies for English movie titles, experienced translators emphasize the importance of preserving the iconic impact of titles, inspiring viewers, and adhering to the four-word rule Based on these criteria, several specific strategies can be outlined for effective translation.
Chapter 4 highlights the advantages and disadvantages of various strategies for movie title translation, guiding when to use each approach The five strategies outlined in the thesis serve as essential tools for movie translators to enhance the quality of Vietnamese translations of English film titles As a result, the quality of these translations is anticipated to improve in the near future In conclusion, the theoretical insights and practical experiences shared in the thesis are designed to provide a solid foundation for new translators in the cinematic field, enabling them to create captivating movie titles for audiences.
Limitation of the research
While the research has yielded some valuable insights, it is not without its limitations The study's scope was constrained by time and resource availability, leading to an incomplete exploration of the topic Data was exclusively gathered from four channels primarily featuring English films, omitting potential insights from local channels like VTV1 and VTV3's Weekend Movies program A broader data collection could have enriched the variety of examples and strengthened the findings Additionally, the research focused on three main title types—nominal, verbal, and adjectival—while neglecting other forms such as prepositional and adverbial titles, as well as sentence-form titles, which could not be comprehensively addressed within the confines of this limited study.
The translation procedures for English movie titles encompass a wide range of complexities that this paper has not fully explored Addressing these limitations is essential for future research in this area.
Recommendations for further studies
The thesis is just able to concentrate on a very small part of the topic
“Procedures in English- Vietnamese translation of movie titles on television” During the progress of researching, the author has found out a number of exciting and practical topics as follow:
Evaluation on Vietnamese versions of English movie titles on television
Similarities and differences of English – Vietnamese movie titles’ translation on television and on the Internet
Influences of linguistic features of movie titles in English and Vietnamese on movie titles’ translation
It is worth hoping other researches will study on these topics since they are very helpful for translation in general and for English-Vietnamese movie translation in particular
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Nguyễn Văn Quảng, 2009 Xung quanh việc dịch tên tác phẩm văn nghệ nước ngoài, retrieving on December 8 th , 2012 from website http://vnca.cand.com.vn/News/PrintView.aspx?IDS727
Thùy Dương, 2004 Translation of English movie titles into Vietnamese, Hanoi
University, retrieving on December 5 th , 2012 from website web.hanu.vn/en/file.php/1/moddata/70/Translating_movie_title.pdf
APPENDIX 1 MOVIE TITLES USED IN THE RESEARCH
No English title Vietnamese title Translation Procedure
Alcatraz Nhà tù đảo Alcatraz
3 Anna and the King Anna và hoàng đế Transference
4 Australia Nước Úc Literal translation
5 Beetle Juice Beetle Juice Transference
6 Ben Hur Ben Hur Transference
8 Brokeback Mountain Núi Brokeback Transference
11 Elektra Nữ sát thủ Modulation
13 Fred Claus Anh trai ông già Nô-en Modulation
14 Hawaii Five-O Cảnh sát Hawaii
15 Jennifer’s body Hồn ma Jennifer Transference
16 Kramer vs Kramer Gà trống nuôi con Modulation
17 Lizzie McGuire Lizzie mắc quai
Loch Ness Quái vật hồ Loch Ness
20 Marley and me Marley và tôi Transference
21 Monte Carlo Monte Carlo Transference
22 Moulin rouge Cối xay gió đỏ Modulation
23 Mr & Mrs Smith Ông bà Smith Transference
24 Nanny Mcphee Bảo mẫu Mcphee Transference
28 The other Boleyn girl Cô gái nhà Boleyn Transference
30 You, me and Dupree Anh, em và Dupree Transference
No English title Vietnamese title Translation Procedure
1 Boardwalk Empire Đế chế đường lát ván
2 Perfect catch Bắt dính Modulation
4 Aliens in the attic Quái vật trên gác xép Literal translation
5 Answer man Người nắm giữ câu trả lời Description
6 Bad boys Những chàng trai hư hỏng Modulation
7 Bride wars Cuộc chiến nàng dâu Literal translation
8 Contraband Hàng lậu Literal translation
10 Dream house Ngôi nhà trong mơ Modulation
11 Duplicity Lá mặt lá trái Modulation
12 First daughter Đệ nhất tiểu thư Modulation
13 Friends with benefits Tình bạn - Bạn tình Modulation
14 Gossip girls Thế giới của nàng Modulation
15 Hairspray Người đẹp keo xịt tóc Description
17 Human target Điệp vụ mật Modulation
18 Lethal Weapon Vũ khí tối thượng Modulation
19 No strings attached Yêu không ràng buộc
20 Pathfinder Huyền thoại chiến binh Modulation
21 Pillar of the earth Trụ cột trái đất Literal translation
22 Space cowboys Cao bồi không gian Literal translation
Bureau Cục điều chỉnh Literal translation
24 The amazing race Cuộc đua thú vị Literal translation
25 The bucket list Tận hưởng ngày cuối Transposition
Những người bị lãng quên Literal translation
The Kingdom Giữa sa mạc lửa Couplet (Transposition +
28 The secret life of bees
Cuộc sống bí mật của những nàng ong Modulation
29 The sentinel Vạch mặt kẻ thù Transposition
No English title Vietnamese title Translation Procedure
1 Avenging Angelo Báo thù cho Angelo Literal translation
2 Be cool Hãy bình tĩnh Literal translation
3 Being Human Làm người Literal translation
4 Burn after reading Gieo gió gặt bão Modulation
5 Burn notice Kẻ thù giấu mặt Transposition
6 Catch me if you can Nếu giỏi hãy bắt tôi Modulation
7 Coming Home Trở về nhà Literal translation
8 Die Hard Tử thủ Modulation
9 Double jeopardy Tuyên án hai lần Literal translation
10 Driving Miss Daisy Lái xe cho cô Daisy Literal translation
11 Drop Dead Diva Diva tái sinh Transposition
12 Finding Nemo Tìm kiếm Nemo Literal translation
13 Follow your dreams Theo đuổi ước mơ Literal translation
14 Forget Paris Lãng quên Paris Literal translation
15 Get smart Điệp viên 86 Transposition
16 Hunt to kill Tìm và diệt Literal translation
17 Killing me softly Đam mê chết người Transposition
18 Knocked up Tình yêu sét đánh Transposition
19 Leaving Las Vegas Rời Las Vegas Literal translation
20 Never let me go Mãi đừng xa tôi Modulation
21 Pay It Forward Đáp đền tiếp nối Literal translation
22 Just married Yêu là cưới Modulation
23 Revenge Báo thù Literal translation
24 Saving Private Ryan Giải cứu binh nhì Ryan Literal translation
Enemy Ngủ với kẻ thù Literal translation
26 Stand by me Hãy ở bên tôi Literal translation
27 Taking lives Đánh cắp nhân dạng Modulation
Must love dogs Điều kiện cho một tình yêu Modulation
Hamilton Thế mới là yêu Modulation
30 Wipe out Cú ngã Literal translation
No English title Vietnamese title Translation Procedure
1 Addicted to love Yêu say đắm Transposition
2 As good as it gets Chỉ đến thế mà thôi Modualtion
3 Beastly Người đẹp và quái thú Modulation
4 Cheaper by the dozen 12 đứa con Transposition
5 Closer Xích lại gần nhau Transposition
6 Far and away Về nơi xa mãi Transposition
7 Faster Nhanh hơn Literal translation
8 Forever young Mãi mãi tuổi thanh xuân Transposition
10 Shameless Không biết xấu hổ Literal translation
11 Sleepless In Seattle Không ngủ ở Seattle Literal translation
12 Supernatural Siêu nhiên Literal translation
13 Totally awesome Hoàn toàn tuyệt vời Literal translation
15 Sparkle Chói sáng Literal translation
APPENDIX 2 CÂU HỎI PHỎNG VẤN
Tôi là Nguyễn Thị Thùy Ngân, sinh viên lớp 09E23 tại trường Đại học Ngoại Ngữ - ĐHQG Hà Nội, hiện đang thực hiện khóa luận tốt nghiệp với đề tài “Phương thức chuyển ngữ tựa đề phim tiếng Anh sang tiếng Việt” Tôi rất mong nhận được sự hỗ trợ từ anh/chị bằng cách trả lời các câu hỏi phỏng vấn dưới đây, nhằm giúp khóa luận được tiến hành một cách khách quan và đưa ra những kết luận chính xác nhất.
Xin chân thành cảm ơn anh/chị!
Câu hỏi 1: Anh/chị đã tham gia dịch phim trong thời gian bao lâu? Số lượng phim anh/chị dịch là (khoảng) bao nhiêu bộ phim?
Câu hỏi 2: Anh/chị hãy cho biết tầm quan trọng của việc dịch tên phim?
Một tên phim được dịch "chuẩn" cần có những đặc điểm như phù hợp với nội dung và thể loại phim, dễ nhớ và dễ phát âm, đồng thời phản ánh được tinh thần và thông điệp chính của tác phẩm Khi dịch tên phim, cần cân nhắc các tiêu chí như văn hóa địa phương, đối tượng khán giả, và khả năng thu hút người xem, để đảm bảo rằng tên phim không chỉ chính xác mà còn hấp dẫn và dễ tiếp cận.
When translating film titles that consist of noun phrases, such as "Answer Man," "First Daughter," "The Amazing Race," and "Thief," it is important to consider the context and cultural significance of the terms Translators should focus on conveying the essence of the title while maintaining its appeal to the target audience Additionally, attention should be paid to any idiomatic expressions or cultural references that may not directly translate, ensuring that the translated title resonates with viewers.
When translating movie titles that consist of phrasal verbs, such as "Saving Private Ryan," "Sleeping with the Enemy," "Pay It Forward," and "Get Smart," it is essential to consider the context and nuances of the phrases These titles often convey deeper meanings that should be preserved in translation Additionally, it’s important to maintain the emotional impact and cultural relevance of the original title, ensuring that it resonates with the target audience while adhering to SEO best practices.
Câu hỏi 7: Anh/chị chuyển ngữ thế nào với những tên phim là (cụm) tính từ như
Closer, As good as it gets, Forever young , …? Có điều gì lưu ý khi dịch các tên phim có cấu tạo là (cụm) tính từ?
Trong dịch thuật, có 11 phương thức chuyển ngữ chính, bao gồm: dịch nguyên văn (literal translation), để nguyên không dịch (transference), chuyển âm điệu (naturalization) như từ "coffee" thành "cà phê", tra từ điển ghép vào (through translation) thường dùng cho các thuật ngữ đã được công nhận, thay đổi loại từ (transposition) như cụm danh từ trong tiếng Anh chuyển thành cụm động từ trong tiếng Việt, thay đổi cách nhìn nhận (modulation) ví dụ như "gần" có thể hiểu là "not far from", tương đương về văn hóa (cultural equivalent), tương đương về chức năng (functional equivalent), phương pháp mô tả (descriptive) thường để nguyên từ kèm theo giải thích dài và chú thích cuối trang, và cuối cùng là bổ sung (addition).
(bổ sung thêm thông tin) và couplets (dùng đồng thời 2 procedures trở lên)
Vậy theo anh/chị, với mỗi loại tiêu đề cụm danh/động/tính từ, cách dịch nào là phổ biến nhất?
I am Nguyen Thi Thuy Ngan from group 09.F1.E23 at the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi I am conducting this interview as part of my graduation thesis, which focuses on the procedures involved in the English-Vietnamese translation of movie titles for television.
I would appreciate your responses to the following questions to enhance the objectivity of the study's results Please note that the information gathered during the interview will be used solely for research purposes.
Thank you so much for your contribution!
Question 1: How long have you worked as a movie translator? How many movies have you translated so far?
Question 2: In your opinion, how importance is the translation of a movie title?
Question 3: According to you, what are the characteristics of a well-translated movie title?
Question 4: From your own point of view, what are the criteria of movie title translation?
Question 5: How do you usually translate nominal titles such as Answer Man, First Daughter, The Amazing Race, Thief? Are there any tips to be kept in mind when translating nominal titles?
Question 6: How do you usually translate verbal titles such as Saving Private Ryan, Sleeping with the Enemy, Pay it Forward, Get Smart? Are there any patterns you often follow when translating verbal titles?
Question 7: How do you usually translate adjectival titles such as Closer, As good as it gets, Forever young? Are there any tips to translate adjectival titles?
Question 8: There are 11 translation procedures: Literal translation (word-for-word translation), transference (do not translated), Naturalization (transfer of tunes, eg coffee – cà phê), through translation (used for already recognized terms), transposition (change in part of speech, Eg: noun phrase in English usually becomes verb phrase in Vietnamese), modulation (change in point of view: active => passive Eg: near = not far from ), cultural equivalent, the functional equivalent, descriptive (keep the original word and add explanation/footnotes), addition (add a unit of meaning) and couplets (2 or more procedures are used together) In your opinion, what procedures are the dominant in translating nominal, verbal, and adjectival titles?
Nơi làm việc: phudeviet.org
Tôi là Nguyễn Thị Thùy Ngân, sinh viên lớp 09E23 tại trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ - ĐHQG Hà Nội, đang thực hiện khóa luận tốt nghiệp với đề tài “Phương thức chuyển ngữ tựa đề phim tiếng Anh sang tiếng Việt” Tôi rất mong anh có thể dành chút thời gian để trả lời một số câu hỏi phỏng vấn nhằm giúp tôi thực hiện khóa luận một cách khách quan và đưa ra những kết luận chính xác nhất Xin chân thành cảm ơn anh!
TL: Vâng, rất sẵn sàng
PV: Câu hỏi số 1 ạ: Anh đã tham gia dịch phim trong thời gian bao lâu? Số lượng phim anh dịch là (khoảng) bao nhiêu bộ phim ạ?
TL: Mình dịch phim được khoảng 2 năm Số lượng phim đã dịch được là 80 phim
PV: Xin anh cho biết tầm quan trọng của việc dịch tên phim?
Việc dịch tên phim có vai trò quan trọng trong việc thu hút sự chú ý của khán giả, nhưng không phải lúc nào cũng cần thiết Đối với những bộ phim mà mình đặc biệt yêu thích và mong muốn người xem quan tâm hơn, mình sẽ chú trọng vào việc dịch tên để tạo ấn tượng tốt hơn.
PV: Vậy theo anh, một tên phim được dịch “chuẩn” cần có những đặc điểm gì?
Tên phim cần phải phản ánh đúng nội dung gốc, dễ nhớ và thu hút sự chú ý Tuy nhiên, không phải ai cũng có khả năng làm được cả bốn tiêu chí này Hiện nay, nhiều hãng phim Việt Nam thường chỉ tập trung vào tiêu chí dễ nhớ và thu hút, trong khi tiêu chí thể hiện đầy đủ ý nghĩa thường bị bỏ qua Ví dụ, phim Se7en với tựa gốc "bảy" không chỉ đơn thuần là con số, mà còn mang ý nghĩa khác khi kết hợp với chữ I, tạo thành từ "SIN" (tội lỗi) Điều này cho thấy rằng, ngoài một số người có gu thưởng thức cao, đa số khán giả vẫn chưa đủ trình độ để cảm nhận những thông điệp sâu sắc từ tiêu đề phim.
Tiêu đề phim hiện nay thường ưu tiên yếu tố thương mại, dẫn đến việc sử dụng những tiêu đề đơn giản, dễ hiểu mà không cần ẩn dụ Tuy nhiên, trong trường hợp tiêu đề có yếu tố ẩn dụ, cần tìm một tên mới nổi bật hơn trong nội dung phim để thu hút sự chú ý Ví dụ, "Cái lò gạch cũ" là một ẩn dụ, trong khi "Chí Phèo" là tên mới dễ gây sự chú ý nhưng lại đánh mất đi yếu tố ẩn dụ ban đầu.
PV: Theo anh, khi dịch tựa đề phim cần cân nhắc những tiêu chí nào?