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free food. Even so, the translation is not effective, as, although Chinese viewers
understand the line, the translator does not convey the association of gravy train. This
will create confusion when Joey said “is there gravy”, as “gravy” does not have any
precedent in the Chinese text.
My own suggested HPTE would be:
“肉汁(意指“免费食物”)不再是免费了。” which can be back translated as: “Gravy
train (which means free food) has ended.” In other words, instead of using deletion, a
combination of repetition and creation can be used as the translation strategy. “gravy
train” will be retained and reproduced. This will enable Chinese viewers to understand
why Joey then asked “Is there gravy?” However, it is also coupled with creation. The
meaning of “gravy train” is provided, so Chinese viewers understand what gravy train
means.
Season 5, Episode 14, Scene 3, In this scene, Joey, Rachel and Phoebe are all aware
that Monica and Chandler are dating. However, they have not yet decided whether they
should tell Monica and Chandler about this. Joey stated that he cannot keep too many
secrets. Joey: “Oh yeah? Well, you don‟t know about Hugsy, my bedtime penguin pal?”
The Chinese subtitle reads: “你不知道我睡觉时搂着企鹅哈根斯吧?” Repetition
by means of sound translation is used as the strategy, because the translator has
translated Hugsy directly. It is reliable although it is confusing. Chinese viewers might
think that Joey sleeps with a penguin rather than a penguin toy. For this same reason,
the translation is not effective. Chinese viewers do not know that penguin Hugsy is a toy.
Without any more information obtained from the line, viewers are unlikely to know why
it is unusual if Joey hugs Hugsy when sleeping.
Therefore my suggested HPTE would be:
“你不知道我睡觉时搂着玩具吧?” which can be translated as: “You don‟t know
that I like hugging a toy when sleeping? ” In my view, deletion is the best strategy here.
It is hard to describe Hugsy with one line or two, so it is impossible to use creation (i.e.
extra explanation) in the subtitle. Deletion, but deleting the CSI and replacing it with “a
toy” can solve this. Joey is an adult and hugging a toy when sleeping is a bit strange
when you are an adult.
Season 8, Episode 2, Scene 6 contains a general reference to something which would
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