摘 要

翻译不仅是一门技术，更是一门艺术。为了更好地翻译，译者需要熟练掌握各种翻译技巧和翻译理论，并在翻译工作中灵活运用。在对外国文学作品的翻译过程中，很多时候并非按照外语原文中的直译进行翻译，更多的是在语言本意的传达和语言功能一致的状态下完成的文学翻译工作。针对外国文学作品来说，语言环境适当且语句功能适宜的翻译能起到重要的文学传播和推广作用。目的论作为翻译理论体系中的重要理论分支，为外国文学作品在我国文学市场的良好传播和宣传发挥了重要的推动作用。本文以《查令十字街84号》为例，研究目的论在文学翻译过程中的运用和优势，为文学翻译提供一些参考。

关键词：文学翻译；翻译目的论；《查令十字街84号》

Abstract

Translation is not only a skill, but an art. In order to do better translation work, translators need to be proficient in a variety of translation techniques and translation theory, and use them flexibly in their work. In the translation process of foreign literature, the translation, in many cases, is not based on the literal translation of the original foreign language, but more on the literary translation work in the state of the transmission of the original language intention and the language function. For foreign literary works, the translation with proper language environment and proper sentence function can play an important role in literary communication and promotion. Skopos Theory, as an important theoretical branch in the translation theory system, has played an significant role in promoting the spread and propaganda of foreign literary works in China's literary market. Taking 84, Charing Cross Road as an example, this paper examines the use and advantages of the Skopos theory in the process of literary translation and provides some references for literary translation.

Key words: literary translation; Skopos Theory; 84 Charing Cross Road

Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1Research background 1

1.2Research purpose and significance 1

1.3Layout of the paper 2

2 Theoretical Framework 3

2.1Definition of Skopos Theory 3

2.2 Three principles of Skopos Theory 4

2.2.1 Skopos rule 4

2.2.2Coherence rule 4

2.2.3Fidelity rule 5

3. Analysis of the Translation of 84 Charing Cross Road 5

3.1 Introduction of 84 Charing Cross Road 5

3.2 Case analysis according to the three rules 6

3.2.1 Analysis based on Skopos rule 6

3.2.2 Analysis based on Coherence rule 9

3.2.3 Analysis based on Fidelity rule 11

4 Conclusion 14

4.1 Findings 14

4.2 Limitations and Suggestions 15

References 16

Acknowledgements 17

Study of the Translation of 84 Charing Cross Road from the Perspective of Skopos Theory

1 Introduction

1.1Research background

The Skopos Theory, a branch of functional theory, was first proposed by a German scholar called Hans J. Vermeer in the book " Framework for a General Translation Theory" in 1978. The development of Skopos theory can be divided into four stages: the first one is the translation criticism model based on the functional relationship between the source text and the translation (proposed by Reiss); the second one is the Skopos Theory and its three principles (proposed by Vermeer); the third one is the theory of translation action (Proposed by Justa); The last one is the "function plus loyalty" theory (proposed by Nord) (Liu Xiaoyuan, 2016: 6). Compared with the Western world, the development of Chinese translation has lagged behind. With the introduction of German functionalist translation theory to China in 1987, the development of translation theories in China began to flourish. In 1987, Chinese scholar Gui Qianyuan introduced functionalist translation theory (Zhao Jing, 2016: 33). After entering the 21st century, China's translation market has become increasingly prosperous, translation theoretical research has also been developing rapidly, and it has become more closely linked to Chinese translation practice. Functional teleology, as an important theory, has a great role in guiding and instructing contemporary translation careers. Students also frequently use this theory in translation practice (Liu Xiaoyuan, 2016: 6). 84, Charing Cross Road is a charming record of bibliophile, cultural difference, and imaginative sympathy and enjoys great popularity. However, studies on its E-C translation edition are few.

1.2Research purpose and significance

Book has been playing an extremely important role in the cultural exchange activities between China and the world. Whether it is a Chinese book or a foreign language book, if it wants to enter another country, it must be translated. 84, Charing Cross Road has been popular since its inception in 1971. At present, the only one E-C translation edition of this book in Mainland China is translated by Chen Jianming, which was first published in 2005. By exploring the E-C translation of 84, Charing Cross Road from the perspectives of Skopos theory, this paper will study the translation strategies and provide some suggestions and experiences of translation from the perspectives of Skopos Theory.

84, Charing Cross Road is a collection of correspondence known as the "Book-lover's Bible." The book is based on correspondence between American woman writer Helene Hanff and British book dealer Frank Doel. The book has been translated into various languages and has also been adapted into radio plays, stage plays and movies. 84 Charing Cross Street has become a secret code among book lovers around the world. Lots of people have read it repeatedly for decades and have discovered the linguistic features and the glory of humanity. Finding out the role and effect of Skopos Theory by comparing the English text and the Chinese text will help to extract the ways to use Skopos Theory in translation activities and provide some ideas about how to do E-C translation. Good translation can accurately convey the content of the original text and the ideas of author. It can also better promote cultural communication of the world.

1.3 Layout of the paper

To clearly and soundly demonstrate this paper organization, this paper consists of four parts.

Part one is a general introduction to this paper which covers the research background, purpose, and significance of this paper. Structure of this paper is also concluded.

Part two serves to explore literature review of Skopos Theory. It involves the development history of the Skopos Theory.

Part three is the main part of this paper, beginning with an introduction to 84 Charing Cross Road, which concerns analysis of this book’s translation within Skopos theory framework with examples extracted from 84, Charing Cross Road. This part, the core of this paper, thoroughly analyses examples extracted from 84, Charing Cross Road by adopting Skopos theory.

Part four presents the findings where the author summarizes the whole paper and points out the limitations and provides some suggestions for further studies.

2 Theoretical Framework

2.1Definition of Skopos Theory

In real life, translation is a useful tool for different cultures’ communications and exchanges. Skopos Theory, as one of the translation theories, has extremely practical significance for guiding the actual translation work. The so-called Skopos theory is the requirement of translation languages ​​and cultures to diversify the perspectives of translation. There are specific differences in different countries and regions with their own language and culture. It has become the key content of translation theory research from the perspective of teleology that how to realize the differences and similarities of the two languages, find each language’s own characteristics, and transform its own meaning and connotation successfully. Skopos theory emerged in Germany, and its development has gone through four stages. Initially, Catherine Reiss introduced the concept of function into translation criticism for the first time. She believed that in translation practice, the function of the translated version should be first emphasized, and the content, form, and communication should be equivalent to the original text. Later, Hans Vermeer proposed the Skopos Theory, and believed that the purpose was the primary rule in translation. And the principles of interlingual coherence and intratextual coherence need to be followed. The proposition of these principles made the translators’ perspective of translation no longer been limited to the simple equivalence. It is more flexible. The translators could fully exert his subjective initiative and creativity. They are also freed from the equivalence. The translator has the right to decide the translation strategy and the selection of the original text according to the purpose of translation. Later, Justa and Christina Nord enriched the theory. In the translation of foreign languages ​​under the guidance of Skopos Theory, the following basic principles must be followed: skopos rule, coherence rule, and fidelity rule. The linguistic skopos principle requires that the translation must be carried out with a clear purpose and goal. Only with the purpose of translation can the subsequent translation process be followed. The principle of fidelity requires that the context and culture of the original language, which plays a fundamental role in translation, should be respected and obeyed during the translation process. Following the principle of fidelity translation can make the another language logical. A good translation, no matter in language meaning or language thinking, should be loyal to each other in order to realize the humanization and practicality of translation. The principle of coherence is to ensure that the translated text is completed, the sentences are idiomatic, the meaning is consistent, and there are no errors in colloquialization and pause.

2.2 Three principles of Skopos Theory

2.2.1 Skopos rule

The translation work under the principle of the perspective of Skopos theory has a certain purpose and focuses on expressing a specific translation effect. In the view of the great cultural differences between China and the West, various languages ​​also have different grammatical characteristics and proprietary vocabulary. At the same time, depending on the range of application, a special type of grammar and vocabulary will appear. So, in the process of translation, it is necessary to comprehensively consider and analyze the actual cultural background and language style of the work. The translated text needs to allow the readers not only to quickly integrate into the language environment, but also to know the structure and content of the article in the shortest time. In addition, translation skills also need to make corresponding countermeasure analysis based on the actual situation of the article. For example, for some business articles and some technological articles, the translator should translate them carefully word by word to ensure the integrity of the overall translation. As for the daily communication, the translator should understand The local language environment and uses the local customary expressions properly. This kind of translation will make the reader feel very stiff. Translators should try to avoid or prevent word-for-word translation.

At present, international communication are getting more convenient and more frequent. More and more people can read excellent cultural works all over the world through the Internet. So translation has become extremely important. Only by ensuring the accuracy and connotation of the translation can cultural works spread for a longer time

2.2.2 Coherence rule

The essence of the principle of coherence from the perspective of Skopos theory is to tell the reader the content through the mutual conversion between words. But language has certain expression skills. Both the original text and the translated text are connected by corresponding grammar and language structure. Therefore, in the process of translation, the translator is required to be very sensitive to the language, to be able to grasp all the details in the article, and pay more attention to all the angles of the knowledge structure. So that the translated works can be consistent with the language environment at that time.

2.2.3 Fidelity rule

Fidelity rule refers to whether the translator can fully translate the original content through the translation of the language environment that the reader is familiar to and present it to the reader in a complete and comprehensive manner while ensuring that the original framework content system remains unchanged. Of course, it is quite difficult to integrate the two cultures of China and the West while using the same language to fully express it. It not only requires the translator to have a comprehensive understanding of the foreign culture and his own country’s culture, but also must be able to skillfully use the conversion skills between the two languages. In the process of translation, in addition to ensuring the consistency and integrity of the translated content, it is also necessary to ensure that the original knowledge structure cannot be changed in any way. If there is a serious intellectual error in the translation, or if it seriously deviates from the original meaning of the article, then the translation will be meaningless.