How Can Animated Subtitles Facilitate Children's Second Language Acquisition: A Textual Analysis of English Animated Film Subtitles Based on Newmark's Communicative Translation Theory

Zekai Sun

doi:10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250030.20261006

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How Can Animated Subtitles Facilitate Children's Second Language Acquisition: A Textual Analysis of English Animated Film Subtitles Based on Newmark's Communicative Translation Theory

Volume 10, Issue 6

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How Can Animated Subtitles Facilitate Children's Second Language Acquisition: A Textual Analysis of English Animated Film Subtitles Based on Newmark's Communicative Translation Theory
How Can Animated Subtitles Facilitate Children's Second Language Acquisition: A Textual Analysis of English Animated Film Subtitles Based on Newmark's Communicative Translation Theory
ZheJiang Sci-tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310018, China
Vol. 10, Issue 6, Pages: 125-130(2026)
Online First：11 August 2026，

Published：30 June 2026
DOI：10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250030.20261006
Accepted：

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Sun Zekai.How Can Animated Subtitles Facilitate Children's Second Language Acquisition: A Textual Analysis of English Animated Film Subtitles Based on Newmark's Communicative Translation Theory[J].Journal of International Education and Development,2026,10(06):125-130.
DOI：

Sun Zekai.How Can Animated Subtitles Facilitate Children's Second Language Acquisition: A Textual Analysis of English Animated Film Subtitles Based on Newmark's Communicative Translation Theory[J].Journal of International Education and Development,2026,10(06):125-130. DOI： 10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250030.20261006.

摘要

Abstract

How can animated subtitles help children learn English? This research answers the question by investigating Chinese subtitle translation of English animated films. Drawing on Peter Newmark's Communicative Translation Theory

it constructs a framework linking translation tactics to children's cognition

emotional states and eventual second language learning effects. Three clips from Zootopia (2016) and Zootopia 2 (2025) are analyzed to illustrate varied translation methods and their impacts on young viewers. Translators need to cater to children's practical needs with concrete vocabulary

compact phrasing

friendly tones and subtitles consistent with visuals and audio. If translators reduce children's cognitive burden and lower learning barriers

subtitles can turn into practical English learning aids.

关键词

Keywords

references

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