Abstract

Xi You Ji is widely known as one of the Four Masterpieces of Chinese Classic novels (the other three are Three Kingdoms, Outlaws of the Marsh and A Dream of Red Mansion).

Skopos theory was established by the German linguist Hans Vermeer and he holds the view that translating and interpreting should primarily take into account the function of both the source and target texts. The translational purpose determines the whole translation process which is controlled by some factors. Different Skopos and functions determine the choice of methods and strategies applied in the translation process, that is “the ends justify the means”. 

This paper compares the translations of chapter titles in Anthony C. Yu’s and W.J.F. Jenner’s English Versions of Xi You Ji by applying Skopostheorie to the translation of Chinese classic literature and providing a new perspective.

In the first chapter, the research background, the layout and the significance of the thesis are introduced. The second chapter is mainly about the literature review. Then, there is the comparative analysis of the translations of chapter titles in the two English version of Xi You Ji from the perspective of Skopostheorie, especially Skopos rule, coherence rule and fidelity rule. The conclusion is drawn in chapter 4. The author makes a summary of what she has found and also points out the limitations of this thesis. 

Keyword: Skopostheorie; Xi You Ji; translation; chapter titles

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 The Structure of the Thesis-1

1.3 The Significance of the Research-2

Chapter 2 Literature Review-3

2 .1 Previous Studies on Skopostheorie-3

2.1.1 Previous Studies on Skopostheorie Abroad-3

2.1.2 Previous Studies on Skopostheorie at Home-3

2.2 Hans J. Vermeer's Invention of the Skopostheorie-4

2.3 The Three Major Rules of Skopostheorie-6

2.3.1 Skopos Rule-6

2.3.2 Coherence Rule-6

2.3.3 Fidelity Rule-6

2.3.4 The Relationship of The Three Major Rules of Skopostheorie-7

2.4 Previous Studies on Xi You Ji and Its Translations-7

2.4.1 Previous Studies on Xi You Ji-7

2.4.2 Previous Studies on Xi You Ji’s Translations-8

Chapter 3 A Comparative Analysis of Two English Translations of Xi You Ji from the Perspective of Skopostheorie-10

3.1 The Two English Versions of Xi You Ji-10

3.1.1 Anthony C. Yu and His Works-10

3.1.2 W.J.F. Jenner and His Works-10

3.2 Translations of Characters’ Names in the Chapter Titles-10

3.3 Word Orders of Translations in the Chapter Titles-13

3.4 Translations of Some Special Words in the Chapter Titles-16

Chapter 4 Conclusion -18

References-19