METHODS OF TRANSLATING MOVIE TITLES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31861/gph2025.855-856.146-155Keywords:
localization, cultural adaptation, psycholinguistics, marketing, translation strategyAbstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the methods of translating English-language film titles into Ukrainian and to identify the factors influencing their effectiveness and audience perception. The research is based on a comprehensive approach combining linguistic, cultural, psycholinguistic, and marketing perspectives. Methods include comparative analysis of original and translated titles, classification of translation strategies, and examination of localization practices and marketing studies.
The results demonstrate that effective translations combine accurate meaning transfer with cultural adaptation and consideration of local linguistic features. Successful examples show the use of modification, transcreation, and cultural adaptation strategies, ensuring clarity, memorability, and emotional appeal of the titles for the Ukrainian audience. Analysis of the evolution of film title translation over the past four decades indicates growing creativity, conciseness, and stylistic attractiveness in translations. Marketing research, interaction with focus groups, and the use of social media for immediate audience feedback play a crucial role in the modern translation process.
The novelty of this study lies in the integrated approach, combining linguistic, psycholinguistic, cultural, and marketing aspects of translation, which allows not only to assess the effectiveness of translations but also to predict trends in their development.
Downloads
References
Benashvili, M. H. (2010). Pereklad yak kreatyvnyi protses [Translation as a Creative Process]. Kyiv: Naukova dumka.
Chen, J., & Liu, F. (2024). Examining translation techniques in English and Chinese cinema titles: an in-depth analysis. Research Journal of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, 10(2), 23–28.
Fedorchuk, M. S. (2022). Kohnityvni ta prahmatychni osoblyvosti perekladu kinodyskursu [Cognitive and Pragmatic Features of Film Discourse Translation]. Lviv: Vydavnytstvo "Svit".
Gambier, Y., & van Doorslaer, L. (Eds.) (2021). Handbook of Translation Studies. Routledge. pp. 112–145.
Holovash, I. Y. (2023). Linhvokulturna transformatsiia perekladu anglomovnykh kinematonimiv ukrainskoiu movoiu [Linguocultural Transformation of English-language Cinematonyms into Ukrainian]. Linhvistychni studii, 51, 74–82.
He, Y. (2025). Study on the translation of English movie titles from the perspective of functional equivalence theory. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 18(2), 103–107.
Hu, X., Halim, H. A., & Zin, Z. (2024). Translation of film titles: a pragmatic and socio-cultural adaptation perspective. World Journal of English Language, 15(7), 308–316.
Karaban, V. I. (2004). Pereklad anhliiskoi naukovoi i tekhnichnoi literatury [Translation of English Scientific and Technical Literature]. Vinnytsia: Nova Knyha.
Koptilov, V. V. (2003). Teoriia i praktyka perekladu [Theory and Practice of Translation]. Kyiv: Univers.
Kochergan, M. P. (2010). Vstup do movoznavstva [Introduction to Linguistics]. Kyiv: Akademiia.
O’Sullivan, C. (2011). Translating Popular Film. Palgrave Macmillan. 243 p.
Riabokin, N. (2024). Sposoby ta pryymy perekladu filmonimiv [Methods and Techniques of Translating Film Titles]. Naukovyi visnyk Odeskoho natsionalnoho universytetu. Seriia "Filolohiia", 29(2), 45–57.
Shumenko, O., & Serdiuk, A. (2024). Osnovni taktyky ta sposoby perekladu anglomovnykh komediinykh filmonimiv [Main Tactics and Methods of Translating English Comedy Film Titles]. Advanced Linguistics, 14, 58–65.
Tkachenko, O. V. (2021). Lokalizatsiia ta adaptatsiia nazw kinofilmiv v ukrainskomu kinoprokatі [Localization and Adaptation of Movie Titles in Ukrainian Distribution]. Kharkiv: V. Karazin KhNU.


