硕士学位论文-从目的论角度探索商贸英语的翻译.doc

学校代码：10254密 级：论文编号：上海海事大学SHANGHAI MARITIME UNIVERSITY硕士学位论文MASTER THESIS论文题目： 从目的论角度探索商贸英语的翻译 学科专业： 外国语言学及应用语言学 作者姓名： 祝荣玲 指导教师： 左飚教授 完成日期： 二零零九年六月 论文独创性声明本论文是我个人在导师指导下进行的研究工作及取得的研究成果。论文中除了特别加以标注和致谢的地方外，不包含其他人或其他机构已经发表或撰写过的研究成果。其他同志对本研究的启发和所做的贡献均已在论文中作了明确的声明并表示了谢意。 作者签名： 祝荣玲 日期： 2009年7月5日 论文使用授权声明本人同意上海海运学院有关保留、使用学位论文的规定，即：学校有权保留送交论文复印件，允许论文被查阅和借阅；学校可以上网公布论文的全部或部分内容，可以采用影印、缩印或者其它复制手段保存论文。保密的论文在解密后遵守此规定。 作者签名： 祝荣玲 导师签名： 日期 2009年7月5日 On Translation of Business English fromthe Perspective of Skopos TheoryByZhu Rongling Under the Supervision ofProfessor Zuo BiaoA Thesis Submitted to the College of Foreign Languages ofShanghai Maritime Universityin Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the MA Degree Shanghai Maritime UniversityJune, 2009 AcknowledgementsFirst of all, I am deeply indebted to my supervisor, Professor Zuo Biao, not only for the invaluable time and energy he spent, but also for his criticism, encouraging comments. Without his selfless and patient help, this dissertation would not have been possible.Sincere thanks also go to Prof. Han Zhonghua, Prof. Wang Juquan, Prof. Wang Dawei, Prof. Zheng Lixin, Prof. Mao Juncun, Prof. Yuan Yongfang and other teachers of our department, who have provided me with excellent teaching over the past two years.Finally, I will extend my gratitude to my family and all my dear friends for their selfless support and encouragement to me throughout the years of my postgraduate study. 摘 要随着世界经济的快速发展，商贸文献翻译在国际商贸领域以及现代社会发挥着至关重要的作用。关于如何把适当的翻译理论应用于商贸文献翻译，学界已有大量的研究。本文旨在从一个新的角度来探讨这一话题,并进一步介绍与阐述一个新兴的功能翻译理论目的论,。本论文对于目的论的几大要点进行总体的概括，即：该理论的发展背景，基本原则，基本概念，以及相关规则。除此之外，还对目的论用于指导商贸英语翻译的可行性进行了探索与研究，希望以此能够真正地有助于提高商贸英语翻译的质量。该论文共由六章构成。第一章介绍该研究的背景与目的，并对中西方的一些传统翻译理论进行了简要介绍。第二章对商贸英语进行概述，并从词汇，句法以及文体等方面分析商贸英语所具有的特点。第三章对目的论要点以及商贸英语含义进行比较详实的阐述。第四章以大量实例探讨目的论在商贸英语文献翻译中的实际运用，证实目的论用于指导商贸英语翻译的可行性。第五章进一步阐述从目的论这一新角度探索商贸文献翻译所得到的启示。第六章讨论该研究的意义以及局限性。本论文对于具有一定历史意义的新理论运用于商贸文献翻译作了初步探讨，以期为翻译者找到更好的翻译方法，以提高商贸英语的翻译质量。在本论文中，该论文只是提供了一些粗浅的评述，意在抛砖引玉，以此为基础，引出关于此话题更有价值的观点。 关键词:目的论；商贸英语翻译；可行性AbstractWith the quickening of globalized economy, business translation has played an important role in the international business sphere and in the modern society as a whole, and there has been much study of how to apply appropriate translational theories to the translation of business documents. This paper intends to discuss this topic from a new perspective by introducing and expounding on Skopos theory, a newly-emerging functionalist theory of translation.The paper makes a general account of the essentials of Skopos theory, namely, its history of development, its basic principles and concepts, and its rules, and then explores the feasibility of applying Skopos theory to the translation of business documents with the hope of practically helping to improve business translation. The paper is composed of six chapters. Chapter 1 deals with the background and the aim of the research, and makes a brief introduction to some traditional theories of translation both western and Chinese. Chapter 2 displays an overview of business language, analyzing its characteristics at the lexical, syntactic and stylistic levels. Chapter 3 expounds on the essentials of Skopos theory and its implication on business translation. Chapter 4 focuses on the practical application of Skopos theory to the translation of business documents, viewing business translation as intentional interaction, interpersonal interaction, communicative interaction and inter-cultural interaction. Chapter 5 presents some enlightenment from the study of Skopos theory and Chapter 6 discusses both the significance and limitations of the studies.This paper makes a tentative exploration of applying a new theory to business translation with a view to finding better ways for translators to improve the quality of business translation. With Skopos theory being not yet mature, the paper offers a basis for further discussion with some preliminary views in order to elicit more valuable opinions on the topic.Key words: Skopos theory; Business translation; FeasibilityivContentsAcknowledgementsi摘 要iiAbstractiiiChapter 1 An Introduction to Translation in General and Skopos Theory11.1 Research Background of the Thesis11.2 The essence of translation as viewed by western theorists21.2.1 The linguistic school21.2.2 The cultural school41.2.3 The functional school51.3 Translation criteria put forward by Chinese translators or translation theorists61.4 An introduction to Skopos theory71.4.1 A brief account of the theory71.4.2 The application of the theory in China91.5 Problems to be discussed in this research101.6 The structure of the thesis10Chapter 2 An Overview of Business English and Business Translation112.1 Business English122.1.1 Business language and business English122.1.2 Characteristics of business English132.2 Difference between business translation and interpretation212.2.1 Medium for understanding222.2.2 Time availability222.2.3 Occasions for operation232.2.4 Useful factors232.2.5 Meaning and form242.2.6 Register distinction242.3 Requirements for successful business translation262.3.1 To be bilingual to a certain extent262.3.2 To be bicultural to a certain extent272.3.3 To have adequate knowledge of business subjects282.3.4 To get acquainted with translation theories and skills28Chapter 3 Essentials of Skopos Theory and Their Implications on Business Translation303.1 Skopos and functionalist approach303.1.1 Early advocates of functionalist approach303.1.2 Vermeer and Skopos313.1.3 Later development of functionalistic approach323.2 Major concepts of Skopos theory323.2.1 Three purposes323.2.2 Purpose and other synonymous terms333.2.3 Rules in Skopos theory343.3 Implications of Skopos theory on translation373.3.1 The overriding role of purpose in translation373.3.2 The complementary role of loyalty in translation383.3.3 The indispensable role of culture in translation393.4 Summary39Chapter 4 Application of Skopos Theory to Business Translation414.1 Feasibility of the application of Skopos theory414.1.1 Business translation as intentional interaction414.1.2 Business translation as interpersonal interaction424.1.3 Business translation as communicative interaction434.1.4 Business translation as intercultural interaction434.2 Skopos theory and translating strategies454.2.1 The strategy of foreignization454.2.2 The strategy of domestication574.3 Summary67Chapter 5 Some Enlightenments from Skopos Studies685.1 Skopos (purpose) as the top priority in translational action685.2 Business translation as governed by Skopos695.3 Translating strategies as determined by Skopos715.4 Two translation strategies complementing each other725.5 The communicative purpose as the major Skopos735.6 The receiver of translation as a decisive factor74Chapter 6 Conclusion766.1 The significance of Skopos theory766.1.1 Skopos theory as a guiding principle in business translation766.1.2 Skopos theory as a decisive factor in forming translation approaches776.1.3 Skopos theorys impact on the choice of translation strategy806.1.4 Skopos theory offering a basis for creative translation816.2 The limitations of Skopos theory82Bibliography85Chapter 1 An Introduction to Translation in General and Skopos Theory 1.1 Research Background of the ThesisWith Chinas entry into WTO and rapid globalization of world economy, business translation has played a more and more important role in cross-cultural communication. The translator acts as a bridge which makes it impossible for people of different languages and cultures to communicate with each other. In the business flow between countries, business English, as one of the means to promote commerce and communication has undoubtedly become a must in the international society. Business English involves commercial activities for satisfying the objectives of individuals and organizations. It is used not only in international trade and foreign manufacturing but also in the growing service industry, which covers transportation, tourism, banking, advertising, construction, retailing, wholesaling, insurance, education, mass communication and other related fields. It is reported that nearly 90% of those who use English as their first language or second language have certain contact with business English.As the need of business English is growing, business translation has shown its corresponding importance as well. Many experts on language and translation are exploring proper theories and methods for translating business documents, and most of them have agreed on Skopos theory, which is considered to be an appropriate theory for solving the problems of business translation. Skopos theory is target-oriented, which coheres with the aim of business which centers on attracting the customers and advertising their products in order to make people purchase their products. To some degree, Skopos theory is more practical not only for individual translators but also for organizations in doing business translation. This paper focuses on an analysis of business translation from the perspective of Skopos theory, aiming at exploring appropriate approaches to this specialized area. Following the theoretical analysis, there are case studies for further illustration of the feasibility of this theory. 1.2 The essence of translation as viewed by western theorists Translation can be roughly defined as a reproduction or recreation in one language of what is said or written in another. It is a very complicated human activity and its essence is never easy to clarify. Scholars with different academic backgrounds have attempted to explore it from different perspectives. The following are the major schools of thought on the essence of translation.1.2.1 The linguistic schoolThe linguistic school considers translation as a linguistic activity and describes the essence of translation from the viewpoint of the linguistic difference between the source text and the target text. The representative statements are quoted below.Translation theory derives from comparative linguistics, and within linguistics, it is mainly an aspect of semantics; all questions of semantics relate to translation theory (Newmark, 1988: 5). Translation consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message, firstly in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style (Nida & Taber, 1969: 12). Translation may be defined as the replacement of textual material in one language (the source language) by equivalent textual material in another language (the target language) (Catford, 1965: 20). In semantic translation, the translator attempts, within the bare syntactic and semantic constraints of the TL, to reproduce the precise contextual meaning of the author, i.e., to reproduce the original form as closely as the TL norms will allow (Newmark, 1982: 22). In semantic translation, greater attention is paid to render the authors original thought-processes in the target language than to attempt to re-interpret the source text in a way which the translator considers more appropriate for the target setting (Shuttleworth & Cowie, 1997: 151).1.2.2 The cultural schoolThe cultural school emphasizes the rendering of cultural messages and regards translation as an act of intercultural communication. The most influential statements are presented below.The translation process can no longer be envisaged as being between two languages but between two cultures involving “cross-cultural transfer” (Snell-Hornby, 1992).Translation must take place within a framework of culture (Bassnett, 1991).The mediating role of translation is more than synchronic transfer of meaning across cultures; it mediates diachronically as well in multiple historical traditions (Gentzler, 1993).Translation theorists are beginning to see the translator as a mediator between cultures. At the same time, the process of translation is now being understood as an exercise, not only in understanding text, but in understanding cultural frames (Katan, 2004). Cultural translation refers to any translation which is sensitive to culture as well as linguistic factors. Such sensitivity might take the form either of presenting TL recipients with a transparent text which informs them about elements of the source culture, or of finding target items which may in some way be considered to be culturally equivalent to the SL items they are translating (Koller, 2003).1.2.3 The functional schoolThe functional school considers translation as a specific form of human action with a certain purpose, a kind of linguistic service provided to the society. The translator should take into account the needs of the reader and the purpose of translation.It is not the source text, or its effects on the source-text recipient, or the function assigned to it by the author, that determines the translation process, but the prospective function or purpose of the target text as determined by the needs of the initiator, i.e. the client (Baker, 2001: 236). The theory of Skopos to be discussed in this paper belongs to the functional school. Details will be given to it in the following chapters.1.3 Translation criteria put forward by Chinese translators or translation theorists The history of Chinese translating practice can be traced back to as early as Zhou Dynasty, which began to set up official translation. Afterwards, there emerged four major stages of translation, each of which brought about a certain climax. The first stage: from Eastern Han Dynasty to Tang and Song Dynasties The second stage: Ming and Qing Dynasties The third stage: from the Opium War to May 4th Movement The fourth stage: from the initiation of the campaign of reform and opening-up until nowAlthough the translation of Buddhist scriptures produced quite a number of great translators like Daoan in Eastern Jin Dynasty and Xuan Zang in Tang Dynasty, both of whom put forward some principles for translation, yet it is generally accepted that theoretical studies on translation in China started from the “Three-character Guide” put forth by Yan Fu, a late-Qing-Dynasty scholar and translator. The following are the major theoretical assertions on translation in China. Yan Fus “Three-character Guide”: faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance（信、达、雅）(1898).Chen Xiyings “Three-resemblance Principle”: resemblance in form, resemblance in content and resemblance in spirit（形似、意似、神似）(1929).Lu Xuns top priority: Priority should be given to faithfulness even at the sacrifice of smoothness（宁信而不顺）(1932). Lin Yutangs “Triple Criteria”: faithfulness, smoothness and beautifulness（忠实、通顺、美）(1933).Xu Yuanchongs “Three-beauty Criteria for Poetry Translation”: beauty in form, beauty in sound and beauty in content（形美、音美、意美）(1984).Liu Chongdes “Three-character Assertion- faithfulness, expressiveness and closeness（信、达、切）:To be faithful to the content of the original（信于内容）;To be as expressive as the original（达如其分）;To be as close to the original style as possible （切合风格）(1994).1.4 An introduction to Skopos theory1.4.1 A brief account of the theoryThe above two sections serve as a synopsis of the most important western and Chinese theories on translation. As most of the theories are based on the translation of literary, religious and scientific texts, it is only natural that emphasis is placed on faithfulness to the original in content, form and style. Preference and priority are given to the source text. It is obviously true that these theories are sound and effective in guiding literary, religious and scientific translation, but they seem a bit inadequate when it comes to business translation. It is under such circumstances that Skopos theory is introduced into the field of business translation. The functionalist approach to translation made its debut during the 1970s and soon stood out with its innovative propositions. Skopos theory begins by seeing a translation as a purposeful “action”. It greatly widens the research field of translation, which puts translation research in the framework of cross-cultural communication, instead of the narrow framework of source and target texts, or the transmission between two languages. Skopos theory, the most important theory in the functionalist approach, takes the aim of translation as the guiding principle. The theory has widened peoples traditional eye scope on translation methods. Skopos theory was put forward by Hans Vermeer, a German scholar, in the late 1970s. Now the theory is being used as a technical term, which means that the purpose of translation determines translation methods and strategies that are to be employed in order to produce a functionally adequate result. Skopos theory attaches importance to the functional and socio-cultural concept of translation. The theory focuses on the purpose of translation rather than the source text. The author, according to Vermeer, is partly or wholly turned into an “offer of information” for the target audience. The status of the source text is clearly much lower in Skopos theory than in other translation theories, especially the equivalence theory.1.4.2 The application of the theory in ChinaColina (2003:11) has argued that functionalist theories