Abstract

Headlines in English news are the high generalization of the content, playing an instructive role in reading English news. A successful news headline can immediately grasp the reader’s attention, and provides the effective information for the reader. From this perspective, news headlines translation is critical in news translations. Skopostheorie argues that the translation which achieves the intended aim of the translation is successful. The quality of headlines directly affects the readers’ interest in the article. This thesis, based on headlines from China Daily, makes study of the definition, functions and rhetorical features of news headlines and then studies the application of skopostheorie in the translation of headlines and translation methods of headlines under the guidance of skopostheorie, and lastly puts forward the effective suggestion on improving the translation of English news headlines from the perspective of skopostheorie.

Key words: news headlines; skopostheorie; translation methods;

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 The Study of News Headlines-.2

 2.1 The Definition of News Headlines-2

 2.2 The Functions of News Headlines-2

 2.3 Rhetorical Features of News Headlines-3

 2.4 Differences between English and Chinese News Headlines-5

 2.5 Previous Study on News Headlines Translation-7

3 The Application of Skopostheorie in News Headlines Translation-8

 3.1 A Brief Introduction to Skopostheorie-8

 3.2 The Three Basic Rules of Skopostheorie Applied in News Headlines  Translation-9

  3.2.1 Skopos Rule Applied in News Headlines Translation-9

  3.2.2 Coherence Rule Applied in News Headlines Translation-9

  3.2.3 Loyalty Principle Applied in News Headlines Translation-10

4 Translation Methods of News Headlines Translation under the Guidance of Skopostheorie-10

 4.1 Literal Translation-11

 4.2 Free Translation-12

 4.3 Added Translation-14

 4.4 Lessened Translation-15

 4.5 Restructuring-16

5 Suggestions on News Headlines Translation under the Guidance of Skopostheorie-17

 5.1 Familiar with Both Chinese and Western Culture-17

 5.2 Deep Understanding of Events Development-17

 5.3 Innovating in News Headlines Translation-18

6 Conclusions-18

References-20