Functional Equivalence Theory And Drama Translation

Drama translation is a part of literary translation. However, due to the fact that dramas are generally translated for stage performance, drama translation bears its unique characteristics. There is one problem existing in drama translation in China, i.e. most translated dramas are not suitable for stage performance because drama translators generally neglected the performability of the translated drama.By analyzing the dual nature of drama, the linguistic features of dramatic text and the unique features of drama translation determined by the duality of drama, it is pointed out that performability must be emphasized in stage-oriented drama translation. This thesis first summarizes what has been achieved and what is going on in the field of drama translation study in the West as well as in China. Then, it introduces the dual nature of drama and the unique features of drama translation. After that, the thesis introduces some important concepts in relation to functional equivalence theory and probes into the theoretical foundation and feasibility of applying functional equivalence theory to drama translation. This thesis carries out a contrastive study on two English versions of Teahouse according to the following four categories: appellation, interjections, greetings and culture-specific words and expressions. Based on the case study, this thesis concludes that drama translation study shall pay due attention to the performability of the translated drama and provides some suggestions in terms of how to achieve functional equivalence in drama translation.