Functional Approaches To The Translation Of English Instructions Of Cosmetics

With the further reform and opening-up in our country as well as the rapid development of economic globalization, more and more foreign-made products, especially cosmetic products have been flooded into our domestic markets. Because the translated version of the English instruction of cosmetics is almost the only way for most Chinese consumers to know about foreign cosmetic products, the translation of English instructions of cosmetics is, of course, becoming an important activity in promoting the sales of foreign cosmetic products in China. However, people have not paid enough attention to the study on this subject so far. Although a few people have studied it, few achievements are made, and the perspective of the study is narrow. It is a pity that most of them just studied it from the perspective of language. Because the problems existed in the translation of English instructions of cosmetics affect the quality of the Translated Test (or target text), decrease the effect of the TT as an advertisement, and thus affect the interests of the consumer in the products. Therefore, it is undoubtedly an important issue worthy of study for the translator—how to adopt efficient translation strategy, method and principle and produce the TT with high quality so as to better serve the consumer and meet their demands on foreign cosmetic products. Starting with the analysis of the statues quo of the study on the translation of English instructions of cosmetics in China, this thesis deals with the translation of English instructions of cosmetics by adopting the translation theories of German Functionalist Approach, especially Vermeer's Skopostheorie. In addition, reader's aesthetic reception theory is also used to discuss the reception of the TT by Chinese consumers from the perspective of culture. Through analyzing stylistic features of the English cosmetic instruction as well as text functions of both the English cosmetic instruction and the translated version of the instruction, it puts forward four principles (accuracy, objectivity, brevity and aesthetic), three efficient methods (amplification, deletion and adaptation), and two efficient strategies (target-language-oriented strategy and reader-oriented strategy) for detailed study. The study shows that the cosmetic instruction is a practical text with advertising and commercial purposes. In terms of the text function, both the ST and the TT have the informative, aesthetic and vocative functions. The purpose of the TT is to inform Chinese consumers of the information relevant to the product, arouse their interest in the product and desire to purchase. The success of the three purposes depends on the reception of the TT by Chinese consumers. In order to achieve them, the horizon of expectations of the consumer must be taken into consideration by the translator during the process of translation. Since the culture factors will certainly influence the consumer's reception of the TT, they should also be given adequate consideration.