Strategies For Translating Children’s Literature In The Light Of German Functionalism

Children constitute the future of a country, while well-written children’s literature can enrich their spiritual world and trigger their love for life. Currently, however, translated literary works are varying in quality, insufficient attention has been paid to the research on translation of children’s literature, and no mature translation theory has been reached. German functional translation theory has broken the traditional idea of “equivalent” translation, with its core skopostheorie regarding translation as a kind of purposeful behavior. Skopostheorie requires a translator to give(primary) consideration to the purpose of the translated text in the target culture instead of blindly being faithful to the source text. On the contrary, it demands giving priority to readers in the whole process of translation. Such perception has created a new perspective for the translation and research of children literature.Meanwhile, the process of translating children literature is a process of recreation where the translated text conveys to children ideas recognized by the adult, helps them to develop correct world outlook and teaches them to love life. Under the purpose of serving children, a translator should keep in mind a clear image of children, have profound understanding of growth and psychology characteristics of children at different stages, get to know their aesthetic requirements and determine primary functions of the translated text. Moreover, a translator should apply different translation approaches for children readers at different stages. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the translation of Ready! Freddy! from three aspects, that is, vocabulary, syntax and culture. Furthermore, it is finally concluded that translation of children literature should conform to psychological development levels of children as much as possible by primarily using plain and concise language as well as vivid, beautiful and rhythmic words.Under the guidance of functional translation theory, readers are playing the most important role in the whole process of translation. When translating, a translator needs to select strategies and approaches most conducive to the achievement of translation purposes. Such active guiding behavior makes it easier for the translated text to be accepted and recognized by readers and the achievement of the final goal, that is, to serve children.