A Translation Report On Technology In America (Excerpts) From The Perspective Of Skopos Theory

This translation practice project selects Chapter 22 and Chapter 23 of Technology in America as the source text.The two chapters introduce the development of energy and nuclear energy,respectively.The book Technology in America is edited by Carroll Pursell who is a professor of history.This book covers scientific and technological development in the United States roughly between the 19 th and 20 th centuries.As a popular science text,it is informative with logicality and objectivity.Based on the analysis of the source text,Hans Vermeer’s skopos theory is choosed as the guiding theory.In skopos theory,translation is a purposeful and fruitful act based on the source text.And there must be fidelity between the information of the source text received by the translator,the interpretation of this information by the translator,and the information encoded for the target text receivers.Under the guidance of skopos theory,ttranslation skills like omission,addition,conversion,condensation,division and etc are applied to translate words and sentences.Translation is also carried out by the application of subjectless Chinese sentences,omission of passive voice,and retention of passive voice for passive sentences.In addition,the context,the collocation of Chinese words and the reading demands of target readers are also considered.This report shows that skopos theory can play a guiding role in the translation of popular science texts.It is hoped that this translated text will enable the target readers to learn more about the history of technological development in the United States and that the translation skills summarized in the process of translation can provide reference for the translation of other popular science texts.