Bühler’s model describes the communication between a sender and a receiver by including a third party, the objects or states of affairs. A communicative function is then attributed to each act of communication, depending on which of the three parties involved was focused on most heavily. When the focus is on the sender, we speak of the expressive function of communication. When the focus is on the objects, the function is representative. The third function refers to communication where the focus is on the receiver. This function is called appeal.
Bühler’s theories about language functions are very influential to many other linguists. Jakobson is just one of the beneficiaries. He developed the theories of language functions and categorized language functions into five aspects: informative function, expressive function, conative function, phatic function and poetic function. Other two scholars K. Reiss and Peter Newmark also proposed their opinions on language functions.
Based on the language functions as devised by the above-mentioned scholars, we can come to such a conclusion that language has various functions. As for screen subtitle, the author of this thesis holds that the language used in screen subtitle has two basic functions, namely, informative function and appellative function. This is because both the sender and receiver of the screen subtitle are the focuses in the communication between them.
1.1.2.1 Informative Function
As being discussed above, the relation between the context and the language itself represents the informative function. As for screen subtitles discussed in this thesis, the context refers to the situations and occasions which have been designed in films or TV plays, and the language refers to the conversations or dialogues
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between different speakers. The relation between the two represents the informative function of screen subtitles. On the other hand, screen subtitles serve as a tool for the audience to understand and appreciate what is going on in a film or TV play. That is to say that the audience get the information basically through these subtitles. In one word, subtitles are informative and they can provide necessary information to help the audience appreciate films and TV plays.
1.1.2.2 Appellative Function
Similarly, subtitles have the appellative function which is represented by the relation between the sign or message and the addressee. By saying so, it means the subtitles can influence the addressee or audience with the changing emotions of the movie actors and actresses. Under the influence of these, the audience can really enjoy foreign films and TV plays.
Besides the two major above-mentioned functions of screen subtitles, the language of a film or TV play also has both psychological and sociological functions, such as expression and modelling of reality, and cognition in the interpersonal, informative, imperative and emotive areas. Moreover, the language of films and TV plays also serves as a tool to entertain and educate people. When the audience are enjoying a film or a TV play, they will also be influenced to some extent by the plot and the characters, which are reinforced by the language used in it.
1.1.3 Features of Screen Subtitle
Before coming to the features of screen subtitles, we need to have a look at the characteristics of film or TV play language. Firstly, the language of films or
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TV plays is visual and audible as the film or TV play is an integration of both moving pictures and sounds. Secondly, the language of films or TV plays is compact and lucid. Thirdly, the language of films or TV plays is rich and varied in style because the actors and actresses may represent different people from all walks of life.
As for the features of screen subtitle, different people hold different opinions because they argue from different perspectives. The author holds that the subtitle of films and TV plays is featured by casual spoken language, frequent use of idioms and slangs and culture-specific expressions which also involve many swearwords.
1.1.3.1 Casual Spoken Language
As a specific language form, screen subtitle has its own features. Casual spoken language is just one of the most distinctive ones. As a translated and written form of dialogues in movies, screen subtitles are full of very casual spoken words and expressions instead of formal and literary ones. It is just these casual spoken words and expressions that make screen subtitles easier for the audience to follow and understand. The following two examples from Prison Break can help to prove the above point.
Original:
Bellick: I thought you were gonna have a conversation with him. John: Yeah, I did. Things, uh, escalated.
Sarah: Bring him on into Three. Cathy, I’m gonna need ten CC’s of Xylocaine. Thanks, guys. I’ll take it from here. I said thank you. I’ll take it
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from here. Subtitle Version:
B：我原以为你只是要和他谈谈。 J：没错，是谈了。只是形势有点升级。
S：送他去三号房。Cathy，我需要十毫升的麻醉药。谢谢大家。这儿就
交给我吧。我说了谢谢大家。这里由我来弄。
In this dialogue, the words like “gonna, uh, guys and yeah” are all casual spoken expressions in English. This example is just one of the many as witnessed in films and TV plays.
1.1.3.2 Frequent Use of Idioms and Slangs
Besides casual spoken words and expressions which are frequently used in screen subtitles, there are also many idioms and slangs. As we all know idioms and slangs in a language always represent the cultural elements in them. This is why section 3.3.2.2 is devoted to discussion about how to tackle cultural-specific translation problems. Take a look at the following example.
Original:
Prisoner: Hey, can a brother get some air-conditioning up here, cuz? It’s
hotter than a crack ho’s mouth, man.
Subtitle Version:
囚犯：嗨，兄弟，哪个哥们给咱弄个空调啊？这里比他妈的小娘们嘴巴
还要热。
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The original vulgar words are from a prisoner’s mouth. He is complaining about the hot environment in the prison. The word “cuz” and the phrase “crack ho” used in the original are both slangy expressions which can hardly be found in dictionaries. Actually, “cuz” is a crip term which is often used by gang members. “Crack ho” is also a slang which means a prostitute addicted to crack cocaine.
1.1.3.3 Culture-specific Expressions
“Since culture is defined succinctly as ‘the totality of beliefs and practices of a society,’ nothing is of greater strategic importance than the language through which its beliefs are expressed and transmitted and by which most interactions of its members takes place” (Nida 107).
The above paragraph explains the relations between culture and language in a very clear-cut manner. Therefore, “a language does reflect in certain aspects the culture of a society, but primarily in its optional features, i.e. in certain of its hierarchies of vocabulary and in the priorities given to various discourse patterns” (ibid). Besides, “the fact that a language may have a proportionately high number of terms in particular domains is an important index to the focus of a culture” (Nida 108).
Films and TV plays are undoubtedly cultural products, so there must be many culture-specific expressions in their subtitles. Please look at the following example.
Original:
Bellick: Name and back number.
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