A Study On The English Translation Of Allusions In Shui Hu Zhuan From The Perspective Of The Skopos Theory

Shui Hu Zhuan,one of the four classics in Chinese Literature,has currently been translated into many English versions,which sell well both at home and abroad.Among them,the content of John and Alex Dent-Young's English translated text(hereinafter referred to as Dent-Young's version)is the most complete and up-to-date,while Sidney Shapiro's English translated text(hereinafter referred to as Shapiro's version)has the most far-reaching implication.Under the background of Chinese culture going global,the study on the English translation of the allusions in Shui Hu Zhuan can not only promote the development of translation studies,but also make some contribution to literary translation.In addition,it can also help to strengthen the communication and dissemination of Chinese culture and world culture and arouse the attention of domestic researchers on the English translation of the allusions in Shui Hu Zhuan so that more English readers can better understand Chinese culture.Therefore,this thesis takes the translation methods and the choice of words in the translation of allusions in Dent-Young's version entitled the Marsh of Mount Liang and Shapiro's version entitled Outlaws of the Marshes as objects from the perspective of the Skopos theory.Hopefully,this thesis can make some contribution to the study on English translation of the allusions in Shui Hu Zhuan and provide some reference for later researchers.Under the guidance of the translation principles of the Skopo theory — the Skopos principle,the coherence principle,the faithfulness principle — the methods of literature study and descriptive study are used to explore the translation methods and choice of words in the English translation of allusions in Dent-Yong's version and Shapiro's version in this thesis.The Skopos theory emphasizes that all translation activities are purposeful,so translators choose the appropriate translation methods and words to achieve the translation purpose based on the expected translation purpose.It is found that the translation methods and the choice of words in the English translation of allusions should be based on the realization of the intended translation purpose of the translator.John and Alex Dent-Young's expected translation purpose is to please the target readers and Sidney Shapiro's expected translation purpose is to spread the broad and profound Chinese culture,so they adopt flexible translation methods to cope with all kinds of allusions under the guidance of the Skopo theory.John and Alex Dent-Young mainly adopt literal translation,free translation and transliteration,while Sidney Shapiro mostly takes literal translation,free translation,literal translation with notes and transliteration with notes.In terms of the choice of words in the English translation of allusions — non-ostensive numerals,synonyms,and culture-loaded words,John and Alex Dent-Young's choice of words is lively and vivid and focuses on pleasing the readers.Sidney Shapiro's choice of words focuses on presenting the facts.As far as the Skopos theory is concerned,translators achieve their intended translation purposes.