Abstract:The translation of tertiary institution names remains many problems to solve. A great number of researches linked to this issue have been done. However, their scales are merely limited in China’s mainland and there is lack of discussion on translation of Taiwan tertiary institution names. In the light of Skopos Theory, the thesis analyzes 159 names of Taiwan tertiary institutions by classification. The emphases of this research lie in the translations of “大学/学院”, disciplines and proper names. We are about to discuss the problems and make conclusions. Revised suggestions will also be provided for hoping that they can attribute anything beneficial to the translation of tertiary institution names. The results indicate that all the tertiary institutions named with “大学” are consistently translated into “university”, and most of which named with proper names choose Wade-Giles Romanization to translate; however, the translations about “学院” and some kinds of disciplines are in chaos. Compared with those in China’s mainland, the translations of tertiary institution names are relatively standard, but it can be more normative to serve the purpose of achieving effective communications in the process of educational exchange. 

Keywords: Taiwan; tertiary institution name; English translation; Skopos Theory

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One  Introduction-1

1.1 Research background-1

1.2 Aims and objectives-1

1.3 Research methods and data collection-1

1.4 Structure of the thesis-1

Chapter Two  Literature Review-3

2.1 Previous studies on translation of tertiary institution names-3

2.2 Significations of this thesis-3

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework-5

3.1 Overview of Skopos Theory-5

3.2 Three basic rules in Skopos Theory-5

3.2.1 Skopos rule-5

3.2.2 Coherence rule-5

3.2.3 Fidelity rule-5

Chapter Four  English Translation on Names of Taiwan Tertiary Institutions-7

4.1 Brief introduction to Taiwan tertiary institutions-7

4.2 English translation of Taiwan tertiary institution names-7

4.2.1 Proper noun + 大学-7

4.2.2 Proper noun + discipline + 大学/学院/学校-8

4.2.3 Other kinds-10

Chapter Five  Problems of Translation on Names of Taiwan Tertiary Institutions-11

5.1 Current problems of translation on names of Taiwan tertiary institutions-11

5.1.1 Chaotic translation of “学院”-11

5.1.2 Disunified translation of disciplines-12

5.1.3 Nonstandard translation of proper names-13

5.1.4 Improper writing of proper names-14

5.1.5 Incorrect writing of capitalization-14

5.1.6 Inattention to numbers of nouns-14

5.2 Revised suggestions against deficiencies-14

Chapter Six  Conclusion-15

6.1 Major findings-15

6.2 Limitation of present research-15

6.3 Suggestions for further research-15

References-16

Appendix-18

Acknowledgements-26