Lost in Translation

The chapter aims to assess the effectiveness of subtitling in the television adaptation of S.E.K. Mqhayi’s Ityala Lamawele (1914) in conveying the message of the original novel, by applying the Skopos theory as part of a functional approach. Subtitles play a significant role in enabling viewers to enjoy films in different languages, and to become familiar with other languages and cultures. According to studies conducted by Ebrahimi and Bazaee (2016 ), subtitles not only provide individuals with the opportunity to explore films from various countries but also facilitate vocabulary acquisition and comprehension for language learners. Therefore, it is crucial for subtitles to convey accurately the ideas present in the source text. Moreover, subtitles contribute to inclusivity by allowing a wider audience to engage with the film, while also assisting viewers in following the storyline and enhancing language learning. Gong (2020 ) assessed the translation quality of fansub 1 translators by critically analysing strategy breaches in the subtitle translation of the series ‘Why Women Kill’. The analysis was predicated on four techniques being violated: analogy; addition; omission; and adaptation. The investigation revealed that several satirical expressions, such as ‘the Phantom of the Opera’, were completely missed because there were no changes made to the English cultural images to fit the Chinese culture and audience. Translators also did not employ additional tactics to clarify some of the references, which would have allowed viewers to comprehend better. The data revealed that all solutions had been rejected because the translators opted for a word-for-word or literal approach, resulting in an odd and disjointed translation in respect of the target language and audience.