Functional Equivalence Theory As Applied In Cultural Elements Translation

It has been argued whether it is possible to hold"functional equivalence"as an evaluating criterion for translation work. One opinion is that functional equivalence theory is too abstract and unpractical. That is understandable since functional equivalence gets"receptors"of both original texts and translated texts involved in the evaluation of translation work in spite of the difficulty in measuring and comparing reflection or feelings of human beings scientifically. However, in the study of the history of translation theories, one may easily find that the basic idea of functional equivalence has permeated many famous translation theories home and abroad. And also, no one would disagree that receptors do play an imperative part in translation evaluation, just as functional equivalence theory has suggested. Therefore, functional equivalence theory apparently has its strengths, and the problem is how to apply it in translation practice.The translation of cultural elements is also a barrier in translation work. One of the biggest problems is that anything culturally unique may generate different reflections with receptors of different cultural backgrounds, who, in this context, are receptors of the source text and those of the target text. This again shows the significance of the theory of functional equivalence which gives receptors their appropriate status in translation work and its evaluation. Thus this thesis attempts to discuss translation of cultural elements from the perspective of functional equivalence, and tries to sum up some practical principles in translation so that this theory may become less abstract and more practical.