Comparative Analyses Of The Two Chinese Versions Of The Apple Tree From The Perspective Of Skopos Theory

In20th century, functionalist skopos theory redefined the nature of translation which was not considered as a transforming process of language codes, and the core factor in translating process was the purpose of translation. Functionalist skopos theory points out in different social and historical backgrounds different purposes of translation may be formed and thus translations would have different functions. Skopos theory also plays an important role in the choice of translation strategies for its explicit explanations to the purpose of translation. This thesis will focus on the novel--The Apple Tree by John Galsworthy and its two Chinese versions; from the perspective of skopos theory, the translation strategies of two Chinese versions will be compared and analyzed so as to show the effect of skopos theory in the choice of strategies in literary translation.In the first chapter, an introduction is given to the research background, method, and significance and the structure of the thesis. Chapter two is the literature review. After an introduction to John Galsworthy and The Apple Tree, the thesis introduces the two Chinese versions and the studies to them. The third chapter is the theoretical framework. It gives a systemic at statement to the origin and development of functionalist skopos theory and its progress. The relation between skopos theory and literary translation is also showed in this part. The forth part is the core of the whole thesis. It expounds amply about the different social backgrounds of the two Chinese versions, and different translation strategies for their distinctive translation purposes. It has a comparative analysis of the two versions in terms of the three rules. The analysis shows that different translation strategies are used to fulfill different purposes. The last chapter draws a conclusion, translators adopt different strategies in different social and historical backgrounds, and translations are endowed with different functions. In addition, functionalist skopos theory can play an important role in literary translation appreciation and criticism.