International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

This paper explores subtitle translation techniques and strategies and effects of nature documentaries under relevance translation theory. As a popular type of audiovisual work, nature documentaries help spread ecological knowledge across different regions. Documentary subtitles directly shape how viewers from different cultural backgrounds understand and enjoy these wildlife films. This study picks The Hidden Kingdoms of China as its research object, and takes relevance theory as the analytical tool. Under the framework of relevance theory, translators build natural cognitive links between original voice-over and Chinese subtitles to reduce audiences’ cognitive processing effort and create adequate contextual effects. To reach this state, they mainly apply two strategies: domestication and foreignization, alongside three practical techniques including addition, omission and shift. These targeted linguistic revisions improve audience acceptance and strengthen the documentary’s overall communication power.

Yuehong Wei, Yuan Liu, "A Study on Subtitle Translation of Nature Documentary The Hidden Kingdoms of China from the Perspective of Relevance Theory" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V9(4): Page(904-910) July-August 2026. ISSN: 2581-7175. www.ijsred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.