On The Features Of Drama Translation From The Perspective Of The Skopos Theory

This thesis presents the translation of dramas from the 18~thh century to the present,with a case study of the versions of Dream in Peony Pavilion by China's famous contemporary translator Xu Yuanchong and the American Sinologist Cyril Birch respectively,aiming to probe into the features of drama translation from the macroscopic and microcosmic angle.Firstly,to see from a macroscopic perspective,the author of this thesis finds out that the translation of dramas from the 18~thh century to the present is affected by the Skopos rule.Dramas,which were mainly translated into abridged translations and adaptations in the 18~thh century,were mainly rendered in the form of complete translations in the 19~thh century.From the commencement of the 20~thh century to 1948,translators inclined to supply receivers with adaptations,complete translations and other versions.Between1949 and 1977,the dramas which were accomplished by Chinese translators underscored political elements,followed by the needs of target readers.Nevertheless,the dramas that were completed by foreign translators stressed the introduction to background knowledge.After 1978,Chinese translators shifted to attach importance to the transmission of the original meaning and artistry of dramas.Nonetheless,in addition to demonstrating Chinese culture,foreign translators paid attention to taking the needs of readers into account as well.Secondly,from a micro perspective,Xu's translation focuses on transmitting the meaning and artistry of original dramas,be that as it may,Birch's rendering highlights the dissemination of Chinese culture as well as filling the needs of target readers.From the perspective of rhetoric,Xu's translation is prone to adopt the strategy of foreignization as a way of spreading Chinese culture,whereas Birch's version tends to resort to a combination of domestication and foreignization,with the intent of presenting the form and meaning of the original text.In short,it can be seen that the Skopos rule plays a role in the translation of the two versions at the rhetoric level.Additionally,when it comes to the translation of lexicon and syntax,both versions conform to the coherence rule and they also abide by the fidelity principle phonologically.