The Simpsons in Taiwan: A Study of Translation, Adaptation, and Glocalization

• Main Authors: Huang, Tsung-Hsuan, 黃琮軒
• Other Authors: Lee, Ken-Fang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/a325cy

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 跨文化研究所翻譯學碩士班 === 103 === This study aims to examine the glocalization phenomenon of dubbing translation for cartoons from the angle of adaptation theory. Thanks to globalization, American cartoons are spread around the world through dubbing translation. However, they tend to be adapted to local markets. In Taiwan, American cartoons during these years have been dubbed with lively and colloquial dialogues and even adapted to a large extent, which is a clear sign of localization. This trend of adaptation further reflects the glocalization of American cartoons through dubbing translation. Thus, the process of dubbing translation and the policies made by the distributor (in this case, Fox International Channels) must be examined thoroughly. The researcher examines this glocalization process from the viewpoint of Linda Hutcheon’s adaptation theory, with the twenty-third and twenty-fourth seasons of The Simpsons in Taiwan as a case study. To find out the external and internal factors that facilitate the glocalization process, the researcher studies the business policies used to change the image of The Simpsons in Taiwan and the strategies used to adapt the cartoon’s scripts. It is concluded that adaptation is affected by the translation commissioner, the collective process of dubbing translation, and the limits brought by the media of translation. Thus, translators are not the only adapters. In this case, FIC, script rewriters, and dubbing actors all contribute to the adaptation process. The study shows that cross-cultural translation is often associated with adaptation. Through translation and adaptation, the global and the local are connected, thus leading to glocalization.