Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

A Study on the Audiovisual Translation of Chinese Documentary Subtitles from the Perspective of the Skopos Theory - Taking A Bite of China (Season 4) as Example

Jiarui CHENGBeijing International Studies University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

The “Chinese Culture Going Global” strategy has created an epochal background for the rapid development of Chinese documentaries. This paper takes the documentary A Bite of China (Season 4) as an example case study, employing the skopos theory as its theoretical framework. This study examines how Chinese documentaries facilitate the cultural communication between China and the world and offers assistance for the accurate translation of culture-loaded words within. This research finds out that the affirmation of the translators’ role in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between China and the world allow for a full and profound exchange among the different cultures. In particular, one powerful manifestation of sufficient cultural exchanges is the accurate translation of culture-loaded words, with the two translation methods: combination of literal and free translation and amplification as feasible tools. This paper provides theoretical and practical support to address the gaps in subtitle translation of Chinese documentaries under the guidance of skopos theory, thus refining the construction and promoting overseas dissemination of Chinese documentaries.

Keywords: Skopos Theory; Chinese Documentary Subtitles; A Bite of China (Season 4); Culture-loaded Words
Published: October 14, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT28392
Volume: CHR Vol.88
pp. 105-112
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