Metaphor translation in Chinese documentaries: a case study of 'A bite of China'

This study explores the translation of metaphors in the subtitles of the Chinese documentary A Bite of China, using Newmark's metaphor translation procedures as a guiding framework. Documentaries are vital for cultural exchange and shaping international perceptions, making accurate subtitle translation crucial. Despite the growing popularity of Chinese documentaries, their subtitles often suffer from inconsistencies and lack a solid theoretical foundation. This results in translations that may be inaccurate or fail to adhere to established principles, potentially diminishing their ability to convey the intended message and cultural details to global audiences. The study seeks to investigates the extent to which metaphors are used in the documentary's subtitles and identify the types of metaphors in the subtitles of the documentary translated from Mandarin into English. By examining the relationship between metaphor translation and subtitle translation, this study emphasizes the critical role of precise translations in promoting Chinese culture internationally and enhancing the global reception of Chinese documentaries.