A Study on the C—E Translation of Chinese Specific Expressions from the Perspective of Skopos Theory

吳琴

Abstract：The thesis introduces the content of the Skopos，analyzes the goal，text type and linguistic features of the Chinese specific words and elaborate the strategies used in translating.The report is catagorized as expressive and vocative type of work.The thesis starts with introducing the Skopos Theory，including a brief introduction of the theory，definition，development，history，and then briefly introduces the definition and features of Chinese specific words.The third part is the three rules （the Skopos Rule，the Coherence Rule，and the loyalty rule）.The English version of such papers and reports aim at promoting Chinas policies.

Key words：Skopos Theory；Chinese-English translation；Chinese specific

1.Overview of Skopos Theroy

Skopos theory （German： Skopos theories） is a concept from the field of translation studies.It provides an insight into the nature of translation as a purposeful activity，which is directly applicable to every translation project.

Paul Kussmaul explains this theory as： “the functional approach has a great affinity with Skopos theory.The function of a translation depends on the knowledge，expectations，values and norms of the target readers，who are again influenced by the situation they are in and by the culture.These factors determine whether the function of the source text or passages in the source text can be preserved or have to be modified or even changed”.

2.Brief Introdution of Chinese Specific Words

Chinese specific words are an important carrier and component of Chinese culture，the performance of the Han nationality，Chinese language，Chinese culture，the uniqueness.In the process of globalization of the world，it is of practical significance that the language with national characteristics can maintain its characteristics in translation.Chinese specific words has a profound historical and cultural characteristics of the vocabulary which covers a wide range of time span，it is necessary to clarify its concept，characteristics and categories of division of C-E translation.

Chinese specific words refer to the unique style of things，which is different from the characteristics of other things.Chinese specific words is a kind of vocabulary that is rooted in Chinese culture and history to reflect national belief and emotion.

3.The application of Skopos Theory in Translation of Chinese Specific Words

The most important of the three principles is the Skopos，that is，translation activities are determined by the purpose.Vermier believes that every text has its own specific purpose，both text and translation for this purpose.The principle can be interpreted as： “translate/interpret/speak / write in a way that enables your text/translation to function in the situation where it is used and with the people who want to use it and precisely in the way they want it to function”.