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My own suggested translation for the HPTE would be:
“他就象个灵活的兔子无处不在,他在这里,那里,这里,那里” which could be
translated as: “He is everywhere like an astute rabbit. He is here, there, everywhere.”
Here, deletion can be used as an alternative strategy. Since it is basically impossible for
the translator to impart the knowledge of Bugs Bunny to the audience, it is better to
delete it. Meanwhile, as Chinese viewers are not sure why a person should be at one
base, second base and third base, it is better to delete these phrases as well. The
translation “Here, there, here, everywhere” is used to match the impression of Ross in
the scene and is understandable because, whatever the sport, it is good to have
somebody who covers all positions.
Another reference to American institutions is found in Season 1, Episode 4, Scene 3 –
where a reference is made to FICA. In this scene, Rachel runs up with an envelope in
her hands, containing her first pay cheque. She opens it and finds that the pay is not as
much as she expected. Rachel says: “Who is FICA? Why‟s he getting all my money?
The original translation reads as: “谁是 FICA?为什么他拿走我所有的钱?” In
choosing this translation, the translator has used repetition as the translation strategy,
without explaining what the letters FICA stand for. In my view, this translation is not
effective, and will leave Chinese viewers puzzled. Chinese viewers will hear a lot of
laughter in the background, but the audience would have no idea of what is so funny.
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contribution Act, which requires all working people
to pay part of their income as insurance and social security.
My suggestion for the HPTE would be:
“谁是 FICA(FICA 是一个美国法案,硬性扣取员工收入作为社保金)” which
translates back as: “Who is FICA (FICA is a US act that requires employees to
contribute part of income as premiums.” To achieve this HPTE, creation is used as the
strategy. By adding a reference that explains what FICA stands for, the translator can
help the audience understand why the US audience was laughing when Rachel asked the
question: “who is FICA.” It is synchonised with Rachel‟s statement and there is
sufficient space on screen to put the explanation.
Yet another reference to American „institutions‟ occurs in Season 1, Episode 4, Scene
6. In this scene, Ross is citing some examples to describe Monica‟s obsession with
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