Study On Source Text Selection Of Liang Qichao And Yan Fu From The Skopos Theory Perspective

When we talk about the translation and introduction of the western knowledge in modern China, there are two outstanding translators we cannot forget: Liang Qichao and Yan Fu. On Translation written by Liang Qichao not only demonstrated the importance of the western works, expounded on the strategies, methods and existing problems in translation, but also advanced a series of original ideas which have far-reaching influence. The three principles of translation by Yan fu still influence the current translation circle. Both Liang Qichao and Yan Fu have left behind them some well-known translation works. Forerunners have done researches on these two translators from different aspects, but most of which were carries out under the guidance of the traditional translation theories. This thesis tries to survey the translation purpose of Liang Qichao and Yan Fu in the Late Qing period from the Skopos theory perspective, to survey how their translation purpose influenced their selection of the source texts, and to survey the similarities and differences of their source text selection.This thesis is based on Skopos theory of Hans Vermeer who held that all human actions were determined by purpose, including translation action. Different translators in different periods of time certainly have different purposes in their translating. Different purposes of translation will to a large extent determine the translator's selection of the source texts. In turn, the translators achieve their various purposes by the selection of different translation works.On the basis of analyzing the social, cultural and translation backgrounds of the Late Qing period, the author demonstrates how the different translation purposes of Liang Qichao and Yan Fu determined their selection of the source texts, and how their personal experience, intended target readers, cultural attitude and shared purpose influenced their selection of the source texts. In the conclusion, the author pointes out, Liang Qichao and Yan Fu constantly searched for the road of rescuing our country and our people. They translated and introduced the advanced science, culture, ideology and so on to China by their translation. They wished that Chinese people could broaden their vision, by knowing the enemy as well as yourselves and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat知己知彼,百战不殆, so as to propel the society forward and reach the purpose of making our country prosperous and our people strong.According to Skopos theory, the prime principle determining any translation process is the purpose (Skopos) of the overall translational action, and different translators certainly have different purposes in translating at different periods, furthermore, it influenced the selection of the source text. The evaluation of the translator is based on whether or not a translator achieves his or her translation purpose. Through the study of Liang Qichao and Yan Fu's translation practice, it can be found that Liang Qichao and Yan Fu both fulfilled their purpose of translation.