Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of This Thesis-1

1.2 Purpose and Significance of the Research-1

1.3 Thesis Structure-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Previous Studies on TED Abroad-3

2.2 Previous Studies of TED at Home-3

Chapter Three Translation Strategies Employed in TED Talks from the Perspective of Skopos Theory-4

3.1 Introduction of Subtitle Translation-4

3.2 General Introduction to Skopos Theory-4

3.2.1 The Skopos Rule-5

3.2.2 The Coherence Rule-5

3.2.3 The Fidelity Rule-5

3.3 Strategies Employed in Translating TED Talks-6

3.3.1 Literal Translation-6

3.3.2 Free Translation-7

3.3.3 Corresponding Translation-8

Chapter Four Conclusion-10

References-11

Abstract

In recent years, TED speech videos have become popular all over the world through the internet for their unique form, shining wits and thoughts. The language used in these speeches is also charming and attractive. China joined the Open Translation Project in 2009. In order to let the audience have a better appreciation of the charming language and effectively take in the shining wits and thoughts, we should study the speech texts carefully and grope for the translation strategies to perfect the quality of translation . 

As the subtitle translation is constrained by time, space, context and culture, the subtitles are often different from the original content, and the traditional equivalence can not explain it. Skopos theory can provide the theoretical basis for this dishonesty, for which has the theory of action as a direct theoretical basis, and its translation should use “purpose principle” as the highest rule of its translation. It also puts forward “coherence principle” and “faithful principle”, both subordinate to the principle of purpose. This thesis tries to have a discussion about translation strategies employed in translating this kind of texts from the perspective of skopos theory, i.e., the language characteristics of the original text can be expressed in literal translation; the general idea of the original sentence can be rendered through free translation; the idioms in the original text can be interpreted into the target language through corresponding translation.

Keywords: TED speech  subtitling translation  functional teleology  translation strategies