An Analysis Of Translation Strategies In Six Chapters Of A Floating Life From The Perspective Of Skopos Theory

Six Chapters of a Floating Life is a superb novel written by Shen Fu who was born inQing Dynasty. This book depicts a couple’s simple life that touches with theirunpretentiousness. It has attracted considerable attention among litterateurs by filling withsincere emotion. Mr. Lin is well versed in both Chinese and western culture and proficientin Chinese as well as English. His writing career is highlighted by his concentration oncross-cultural communication. The English version of Six Chapters of a Floating Life hasbeen acclaimed to be his most remarkable translation. Therefore, many scholars haveconsistently studied on it. The studies are usually from the views of cultural differences,cultural hybridity, functional equivalence, post-colonial theory, etc., but most studies arescattered, including some of the culture-loaded words, translation variation andcomparative analysis with other English versions. However, it is still meager studying thispiece of work systematically from skopos theory, so it is necessary for us to regain thisversion and make a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics and causes of thetranslation strategies under the skopos theory. Lin Yutang adopts different translationstrategies flexibly in the English version in order to transfer Chinese culture to the westernreaders, such as amplification, deletion and adaptation. It is considered contrary to theprinciple of fidelity from the traditional theory, but the English version was warmlywelcomed by the readers and had resulted great social repercussions, which were unable tobe explained by the traditional translation theories. However, Vermeer’s skopos theoryprovides a new angle to explain this phenomenon.The skopos theory holds that the primary law that all translation should follow is theskopos rule: the end justifies the means. That is to say the purpose of translationdetermines the choice of translation strategies. Because of the different purposes or intended functions, the methods of translation used by the translator in the translationprocess are different, so the quality standard of the translated work is determined bywhether the purpose is realized or not. So with that being said, the translation is not atraditional transformation from one language to another, but a communication betweendifferent cultures. The author of this thesis expatiates the skopos theory comprehensivelyand conducts a descriptive analysis about the influence of Lin Yutang’s own culturaltendency on the selection of source text and the realization of translation purpose. Then itmainly illustrates the coherence of intralingual and interlingual transfer under the guidanceof skopos theory. There is also a thorough analysis of Lin’s subjectivity in text selection.His own unique advantages are qualified for the translation work, which is of great worthin achieving the translation purpose. In conclusion, Lin Yutang’s translation of SixChapters of a Floating Life has adequately achieved its intended purpose to conveyChinese culture. At the same time, the research also proves that the skopos theory candescribe and explain certain phenomena and problems in translation, which has a strongguiding significance to translation practice.