OntheApplianceoftheSkoposTheoryintheChineseVersionofHarryPotterandthePhilosopherx27sS

1、On the Appliance of the Skopos Theory in the ChineseVersion of Harry Potter and the Philosopher s St.Introduction of the Skopos TheorySkopos theory is the nucleus of German Functional School.The main idea of Skopos theory is that translators should hold the thought from the perspective of the target

2、 readers during the process of translation.Therefore,translators should bear in mind what the function of translation text is,what the target readersdemand is and even what communicative situation is.Consequently,the choice of translation strategies is decided by the purpose of the translation text,

3、in order to achieve a better function text.There are three main rules which are skopos rule,coherence rule and fidelity rule.1.Skopos RuleSkopos is a Greek word foraimorpurpose. The top-ranking rule for any translation is thus theskopos rule,which means that a translation action is determined by its

4、 skopos;that is,the end justifies the meansbyReiss and Vermeer.Vermeer also stresses on many occasions that the skopos rule is a general rule,and translation strategies and methods are determined by the purpose and the intended function of the target text.2. Coherence RuleThe coherence rule states t

5、hat the target textmust be interpretable as coherent with the target textreceivers situation.In other words,the target text must be translated in such a way that it is coherent for the target text receivers,given their circumstances and knowledge.In terms of coherence rule,the source text is no long

6、er of most authority but only part of the translation beliefe.It is only an offer of information for the translator,who in turn picks out what he considers to be meaningful in the receivers situation.3. Fidelity RuleTranslation is a preceding offer of information.It is expected to bear some relation

7、ship with thecorrespondingsource text.Vermeer calls this relationshipintertextual coherenceorfidelity.This is postulated as a further principle,referred to as thefidelity ruleby Reiss andVermeer in 1984.The fidelity rule merely states that there must be coherence between the translated version and t

8、he source text4. The Relationship among the RulesFidelity rule is considered subordinate to coherence rule,and both are subordinate to the skopos rule.If the skopos requires a change of function,the criterion will no longer be fidelity to the source text but adequacy or appropriateness with regard t

9、o the skopos.And if the skopos demands intra-textual incoherence,the standard of coherence rule is no longer vivid.The usage of Rhetoric Devices in the Chinese VersionIn Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone,the proper usage of rhetorical devices is one of the elements to make the book successful.

10、Rhetorical devices such as simile,personification andpun appear in Harry Potter andthe Philosophers Stone and its Chinese version frequently.And they are necessary to create a special fantastic,humorous and delightful atmosphere.1.SimileSimile is regarded as the most simple and frequently used rheto

11、rical device in English.It is a comparison of one thing to another.The simile is based on the similarity on one certain aspect between two things which are different in nature.Then the hat twitched.A rip near the brim opened widelike a mouth.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:88)接着,帽子扭动了。 帽边裂开一道宽宽的缝 ,像一张嘴。 (魔 法石 ,

12、苏农 ,2000:71)As we know that Harry Potter and the PhilosophersStone is an imaginative book which is full of fantasies.The author hasnt pointed out clearly whether it is a humans mouth or not,therefore,the translator does not need to define what kind of mouth that is.Considering the demands of the tar

13、get readers,the translator leaves as much imaginative space as the author for the readers to imagine.The translated version is relatively a better version which conveys exactly what the author wants to express to the readers.2.PersonalityChristmas was coming.One morning is mid-December,Hogwarts woke

14、 to find itself covered in several feet of snow.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:143)十二月中旬的一天早晨 ,霍格沃茨学校从梦中醒来 , 发现四 下里覆盖着好几尺厚的积雪。 （ 魔法石 ,苏农 ,2000:119） In this sentence,Hogwarts,Harry Potters school,is described as a person.The source text is vivid and impressive due to the personification.In England,Children like

15、snow deeply and most of them are looking forward to the snow on Christmas.We can imagine how excited Harry is.The original sentence reminds English readers of such ecstasy.The translation is satisfactory by maintaining the personification.Wokehas been translated into 从梦中醒 来 builds a picture of a lov

16、ely kid,who has a beautiful dream and opens the eyes with a sweet smile.The happiness is conveyed thoroughly.Its effect on Chinese readers is close to the effect of English version on its readers.3.PunThe pun is commonr hetorical device in both Chinese and English.According to Oxford Advanced Learne

17、rs English-Chinese Dictionary,pun means:humorous use of a word that has two meanings or of different words that sounds the same.The purpose of using puns is to create the effects of humour or hint or to deliver a complex feeling.If we want to reflect these effects in the translation,there is no way

18、but to try to reappear the pun of the original in the translation.To translate according to the context of the original and imagine a similar context during the process of translation is a very good way to reproduce the functions of pun.Excuse me,professor Fliwick,could I borrow Woodfor a moment?Woo

19、d?T hought Harry,bewildered;was Wooda cane she was going to use on him?But Wood turned out to be a person,a burly fifth-yearboy who came out of Flitwicks class looking confused.（HPPS,Rowling,1997:112）“对不起 ,弗立维教授 , 可以让伍德出来一会儿吗 ?” 伍德?哈利迷惑不解地想 ,难道是木头拐杖 ,她要用它来教训 他?谁知,伍德原来是一个人 ,一个高大结实的五年级男生 , 一脸 茫然地走出弗立的

20、教室。（英文里的姓氏“伍德”同时兼有“木头”的意思。 ）（ 魔 法石 ,苏农,2000:91）The pun lies in the wordwoodwhich means“伍德” inChinese when used as a name,whilewoodalso means “木 头”.It is this confusion that makes a humorous textualeffect of the work.In English,this is a common knowledge and the children readers know it.There is no need for the further explanation of it.While,this pun will not be easily understood by the Chinese readers,especially thosew