Comparative Study Of Chinese Translations Of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire:from The View Of Functional Equivalence

Based on functional equivalence theory, this thesis is a probe into two Chinese versions of Harry Potter, one of the most popular novel series at present, translated by translators from China’s Taiwan and Mainland. In the thesis is analyzed the differences of translator’s attitude and strategy together with cross-straits cultural features. The background, writing motivation and creating experience of J.K.Rowling, who is the writer of Harry Potter, are closely related to the original text style; therefore, in the light of the writer’s background, writing motivation and creating experience, the thesis analyzes the two versions together with their impact on readers. The original text and the Chinese versions are analyzed lexically and semantically in details. This throws light on difficulties of translation with focus on names, magic terms, dialogue features, poem, figure of speech and wordplay as presented in different cultural backgrounds. It’s found that Taiwan version is domestication-orientated and is more likely to be accepted by local readers. Both versions are excellent on the whole. However, by comparison the translation of the Taiwan version appears to be more nearly prudent and consequently precise in formal equivalence and meaningful implications both in details and the overall effect.