A Study On The English Translations Of The Introduction Boards In The Palace Museum From The Perspective Of The Skopos Theory

Driven by the 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative,China’s tourism industry is booming,attracting an increasing number of foreign visitors every year.In such context,as a direct information source,the English translations of the introduction boards in scenic spots become increasingly important.Being one of the World Cultural Heritage sites,the Palace Museum(the Forbidden City)has always been a must visit for foreigners.Hence,the English translations of its introduction boards are of great importance.Guided by the Skopos theory,this thesis studies the English translations of the introduction boards in the Palace Museum.The Skopos theory provides three rules,namely the Skopos rule,the coherence rule and the fidelity rule.It emphasizes the purposes of the translations and requires translators to adapt their translation strategies and methods to the purposes.The main purposes of introduction boards are to convey information effectively and disseminate Chinese history and culture.This thesis aims to figure out whether the purposes are fulfilled,what strategies are taken and why.Also,the thesis points out the high-quality translations and the ones that can be improved,hereby providing references and advices for the translations of introduction boards in other scenic spots in China.Following the Skopos theory,translators should prioritize the purposes of information conveyance and culture dissemination,and then ensure coherence and fidelity.In these aspects,despite some details that can be polished,the Palace Museum has basically accomplished the purposes of the translations,setting up a good model for other scenic spots in China.