On Translation Of Cultural Elements From The Perspective Of Skopos Theory

Since the "cultural turn" of translation in1980s, translation studies have walked out of the formalist way which focuses on the language. Researches concerning with translation of cultural elements are getting more and more attention.Hans J. Vermeer proposed functionalist skopos theory under the influence of modern linguistics, aesthetics of reception and some other relevant theories. Aiming at the weak parts of linguistic translation school, such as "dualism" and source text-centered translation theory, skopos theory integrates the ideas of communicative theory, action theory, information theory, text linguistics and aesthetics of reception, shifting the focus of translation studies from source text to target text. In this theory, translation is regarded as an action with a purpose and a result based on the source text. Translation skopos decides translation strategy. Functionalist theory weakens the authority of source text and improves the status of the target text and translator’s subjectivity. The translator is no longer trapped in translation equivalence theory. This theory provides a new perspective of translation studies and points a new direction for translation of cultural elements, which is of great theoretical and practical significance in the history of translation studies.At the beginning of the thesis, the author discusses the relationship between culture and translation, which is followed by a brief description of skopos theory and its main ideas. By analyzing examples of translation of cultural elements in Moment of Peking in the framework of skopos theory, the author comes to a conclusion, that is, the preferred translation strategy is foreignization if we want to introduce Chinese culture and keep the exotic appeal; as for some specific situations, especially cultural elements concerned with philosophical and ideological ideas, domestication is preferred as an additional strategy, so as to make it easier for English readers to understand the target text. The proper use of the two translation strategies facilitates the introduction and promotion of cultural elements in Moment in Peking.Applying the theory to a typical and practical case study, this thesis discusses translation of specific cultural elements, showing the fresh breath skopos theory has brought to translation studies. The thesis also provides new theoretical and practical reference for cultural translation and carries the hope that it can promote more successful intercultural communication.