Translating Science Fiction Time Paradoxes: A Functional Equivalence Framework Across Terminological, Syntactic, and Narrative Dimensions

Time travel paradoxes, as central narrative devices in science fiction, present unique and complex translation challenges owing to their intricate scientific and philosophical foundations. Existing research lacks a systematic typology and targeted strategic exploration for this subgenre. This study addresses three core questions: how to classify time travel paradoxes, identify the key translation challenges they pose, and develop effective translation strategies. Through a comprehensive literature review and theoretical analysis, we construct a typology comprising causal paradoxes (e.g., the Grandfather Paradox) and causal loop paradoxes (e.g., the Bootstrap Paradox), with parallel universe theory examined as a narrative solution. Guided by Nida’s functional equivalence theory, a multi-dimensional translation framework is proposed, operating at the terminological, syntactic, and narrative levels. Case analyses of seminal texts such as All You Zombies and Doctor Who yield the key findings: terminologically, translations must accurately convey core concepts like “originless circularity”; syntactically, logical connectives often require explicitation for clarity in the target language; and narratively, translators must maintain creative tension to reproduce the original’s suspense and philosophical impact. The study concludes that translating time paradoxes is a complex cognitive activity demanding deep logical comprehension, acute reader awareness, and the application of multi-level strategies. It contributes both theoretical insights and practical references to the burgeoning field of science fiction translation studies.