Translation Criticism On Brothers From The Perspective Of Skopos Theory

The thesis selects Brothers as the object of criticism under the guidance of skopos theory. This novel is originally authored by Yu Hua, who is the representative of "avant-garde school" in Chinese literature circle. Traditional translation criticisms are confined to the exploration of stiff equivalence, which is taken as the only yardstick to gauge translation. Skopos theorists such as Vermeer, Reiss and Nord deem that ends justify means, and the translator can adopt appropriate translation strategy in accordance with purposes and the appraisal to the translation is largely dependent on the degree to which the intended purposes are realized.The thesis conducts translation criticism from three dimensions of translator, target reader and target text with the combination of macro-perspective and micro-perspective under the guidance of skopos theory. Firstly, the translators’purposes have been analyzed and their play of subjectivity is also explored. It is concluded that translator’s subjectivity entails the creativity and respect to the source text, which is in line with the translation principles proposed in skopos theory. Secondly, target readers’acceptance to Brothers and the causes of their acceptance have been explored. And lastly, the criticism of target text with the application of translation principles has been conducted. With the application of skopos rule, the thesis has explored the translation strategy adopted by the translator in transmitting Chinese culture and presenting a true picture of China. And by discussing on the coherence rule, the thesis has explored how the translator makes the translation coherent with the target language and target culture by applying different translation techniques. From fidelity rule, the thesis has analyzed whether the translators have conveyed the literary style of the source text. And lastly, with the application of loyalty rule, the thesis has discussed on the coordinating role of translator between three major participants during the translation process.Through the thorough analysis, it is concluded that Eileen Cheng-yin Chow and Carlos Rojas have adopted ideal translation strategies to achieve intended purposes, faithfully conveying Chinese culture and presenting exotic experience of China in the past4decades. And literary style of the source text is also preserved in the target text. Their target-reader-oriented translation is also the result of rational play of subjectivity.