学科分类号
0502
本科生毕业论文
题目：On the C-E Translation of the Government Work Report
of 2014 from the Perspective of Skopos Theory
从目的论看《2014 年政府工作报告》的英译
学生姓名：
学
号：
1107403020
系
别：
外国语言文学系
专
业：
英 语
指导教师：
徐 李（讲师）
起止日期：
2014.6 – 2015.5
2015 年 5 月 10 日
怀化学院本科毕业论文诚信声明
作者郑重声明：所呈交的本科毕业论文，是在指导老师的指导下，独立进行研究所取得的成果，成果不存在知识产权争议。除文中已经注明引用的内容外，论文不含任何其他个人或集体已经发表或撰写过的成果。对论文的研究做出重要贡献的个人和集体均已在文中以明确的方式标明。本声明的法律结果由作者承担。
本科毕业论文作者签名：
2015 年 5 月 10 日
Contents
Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................
Key words .......................................................................................................................................
摘
要 .............................................................................................................................................. i 关键词 .............................................................................................................................................. i Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 0 Chapter One
Overview of Skopos Theory .................................................................. 1 1.1 Emergence and Development of Skopos Theory ............................................ 1 1.2 Main Rules of Skopos Theory ................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Objective Rule .................................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 Coherence Rule ................................................................................................. 2 1.2.3 Faithfulness Rule ............................................................................................... 3 Chapter Two
Characteristics of
the Government Work Report of 2014
...... 3 2.1 Simple Sentence Structure ....................................................................................... 3 2.2 Brief Sentence Component ...................................................................................... 4 2.3 Chinese Characteristic Words ................................................................................. 5 2.4 Synonymous Words Expressions ........................................................................... 5 Chapter Three
Translation Strategies of the Government Work Report of 2014
under the Guidance of Skopos theory ................................................................ 6 3.1 Feasibility of Translating the Government Work Report under the Guidance of Skopos Theory ............................................................................................ 6 3.2 Translation Strategies of the Government Work Report of 2014
under
the Guidance of Skopos Theory .................................................................................... 6 3.2.1 Information Restructuring ............................................................................. 6 3.2.2 Amplification and Omission .......................................................................... 7 3.2.3 Domestication and Foreignization ............................................................. 8 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 9 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................... 9 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... 10
On the C-E Translation of the Government Work Report of 2014 from the Perspective of Skopos Theory
Abstract
With the growing international status of China, the Government Work Report is attracting more attention from all over the world and it represents the most authoritative source of information for the international community to know China better. Therefore, the necessity of idiomatic translation for the Government Work Report is coming. This helps the recipient accurately understand the source language and Chinese social dynamic, as well as promote the exchanges and cooperation of all countries in the world. With the Skopos theory pushed forward by the German Functionalist and the Government Work Report of 2014
as the corpus, together with the difference between Chinese and English, studying the characteristics and the translation strategies of the Government Work Report of 2014
from the aspects of lexical, syntactical and discourse.
Key words Skopostheory;
the Government Work Report of 2014 ;
translation strategies
从目的论看《2014 年政府工作报告》的英译
摘
要 随着中国国际地位日益提升，政府工作报告也日益受到世界各国的关注。政府工作报告是国际社会了解中国最权威的信息来源，因此，地道地翻译政府工作报告的必要性就不言而喻了。这有助于译文接受者准确无误的理解原文所传达的信息，更好的了解中国社会的动态，从而促进世界各国的交流与合作。本文依据德国功能学派提出的功能目的理论，以《2014 年政府工作报告》为语料，结合英汉之间的差异，从词汇,句法，语篇等方面来分析《2014 年政府工作报告》的特点及目的论指导下《2014 年政府工作报告》英译的策略。
关键词 目的论；《2014 年政府工作报告》；翻译策略
Introduction
Widely known as the tone of solemnity, firmness and conciseness, political articles aim at analyzing mind and expositing ideas to propagandize politics, which are typical of conciseness, political nature, timeliness, objectivity and integrity. The Government Work Report of 2014
includes the summary of 2014 and plans for 2015. Namely the conclusion of last year"s government work conditions and achievements, as well as the announcement of plans and goals for the next year. It gains great attention from home and abroad because it makes great contribution to construct China, that is, an extensive and profound meaning. With the deep development of reform and opening up and foreign exchange, the demand of translation of the Government Work Report of 2014
is also increasing. As an important political documents, on the one hand，the political sensitivity is very strong, therefore the quality of translation is extremely high. On the other hand, it contains a large number of words, concepts and modes of expression with Chinese uniqueness. Hence, great attention should be paid in the translation of political essays. Taking the Government Work Report of 2014
as example, this paper will use the German functionalist translation theory to analyze the translation strategies. Skopos theory is to apply concept of skopos into translation. The main concept is that the major factor of translation during the period of translation is the aim of the whole translation. The term of skopos is used to refer to the aim of target language. Besides ‘skopos’ , Vermeer also added some related words, such as aim ,purpose, intention and function. Skopos theory was first published in 1995 by Zhang Nanfeng who firstly briefly introduced Skopos theory to China. Zhong weihe and Zhong Yu published a paper named German Functionalist Translation Theory in 1999 in the Chinese Journal of Translation, which was the first systematically paper to introduce the theory of functionalism. The paper On the Translation Methods and Theoretical Basis about Soft news was published in 2001 by Xu Quan and Wang Ting, and brought about new situation to apply functional theory to pragmatic translation.
This paper mainly discusses from three aspects: the first part is an overview
of Skopos theory, including the production, development and the main principles of Skopos theory. The second part is the characteristics of the
Government Work Report . They are simple sentence structures; brief sentence components; Chinese characteristic words; synonymous expressions. The third part is the translation strategy of the Government Work Report of 2014
under the guidance of skopos theory. It first elaborates the feasibility of translating the
Government Work Report
under the guidance of skopos theory, then explains the translation strategy of the Government Work Report of 2014
under the guidance of skopos theory.
Chapter One
Overview of Skopos Theory The paper mainly introduces it from there aspects: the emergence and development of Skopos heory; the main rules of Skopos theory; The Characteristics of the Government Work Report of 2014 ; The Feasibility of the Government Work Report under the Guidance of Skopos theory. 1.1 Emergence and Development of Skopos Theory In 1970s, functionalist translation theory originated in Germany. Its development has gone through several stages: The first stage: Katherina Rice firstly applied the functional category into translation criticism and integrated the language functions, text types and translation strategies to develop the functional relation of source text and the target text based on the model of translation criticism, thus formed the rudiment of functionalist theory. The second stage: Hans Vermeer put forward the skopos theory and got the original center oriented translation free from the bound. The theory stands that translation is a kind of behavior featured with purpose and result which based on the original texts and this behavior must be done through negotiation. Translating a kind of material must follow a series of principles, with the "objective principle" in the first place. That is to say, the purpose of translation depends on target language translation. In addition, the translation must follow the "coherence rule" and "loyalty rule". The third stage: Jiastar Hotz Manta put forward the behavior theory of translation by referring communicational and behavioral theory. He has further
developed the functionalist translation theory which was driven by purpose and an interaction between people with translation results oriented. The theory and Skopos theory have much in common, Vermeer had also integrated them. The fourth stage: Christina Nord had summarized and improved the theory of functionalism comprehensively and systematically analyzed the internal and external factors needed in text analysis of translation as well as ways to set up translation strategies coordinated with the purpose of translation on the basis of the original text functions. Christina Nord had summarized all functionalist theory and put forward the principles of "function plus loyalty" to guide the translator, which had improved the theory. 1.2 Main Rules of Skopos Theory It mainly discusses the objective rule, which is the most important rule of all; coherence rule, mainly refers to inter-textual coherence; faithfulness rule. 1. 2.1 Objective Rule
According to Skopos theory, the most important rule of all translation activities is the "objective rule", therefore the translation should be in the target language context and culture and taken effect in the expectation of the target language audience. The goal the process of translation behavior should achieve determines the whole translation action, namely results determine method. But the translation activities can have multiple purpose, these objectives are further divided into three categories:
(1) The basic purpose of the translator (such as make a living);
(2) The communicative purpose (such as to enlighten the reader);
(3) To use some special means of translation to attain the purpose (e.g., in order to explain the special syntactic structure in a language of the literal way according to its structure). 1.2.2 Coherence Rule It means that the translation must meet the inter-textual coherent standard, which is, with readability and acceptability as well as can make the recipient understand and have significance in the target culture and the use of communicative context. This rule means there should exist inter-textual coherence, which amounts to be faithful to the source language in other translation theories, however, the degree of the faithfulness depends on the
purpose of the target language and the understanding of the translator. 1.2.3 Faithfulness Rule
This is put forward by Nord. She found the Skopos theory has two shortcomings: firstly, people with different cultural backgrounds have different views on the good translation because of the different culture; in addition, if the intention required by the rule of the communicative purpose of the translation and the original author is opposite, then we will abide by the rule of faithfulness and against the rule of objectivity. Therefore, Nord put forward the rule of loyalty to solve the relationship between the cultural differences and translation behavior of participants. Nord believes that the translator has a moral obligation to the receiver. This is one aspect of loyalty. On the other hand, this rule requires the translator to be faithful to the original author. The translator should respect the original author and coordinate the target language and author intention. Therefore, the relationship between the loyalty rule mainly focus on the translator and the original author, customers and readers and other participants. Nord put forward the translators should follow the rule of "function plus loyalty", so as to improve the theory.
Chapter Two
Characteristics of
the Government Work Report of 2014
These characteristics are simple sentence structure, brief sentence component, Chinese characteristic words, synonymous word expressions. 2.1 Simple Sentence Structure English is a synthetic language while Chinese is an analytical language. Therefore, the sentence structure was shown in English as a tree structure, Chinese bamboo structure. It links the English sentence with conjunctions and it is distinct, rich and varied, and more complex sentence. It tends to be more analytical in structure and stricter than Chinese. Chinese sentence structure is simpler, usually connect with multiple parallel phrase structure with less logical relations. Such as:
1.做好今年政府工作，要以深化改革为强大动力，以调整结构为主攻方向，以改善民生为根本目的，统筹兼顾，突出重点，务求实效。
2. 增强各类所有制经济活力。坚持和完善基本经济制度。优化国有经济布局和结
构，加快发展混合所有制经济，建立健全现代企业制度和公司法人治理结构。完善国有资产管理体制，准确界定不同国有企业功能，推进国有资本投资运营公司试点。完善国有资本经营预算，提高中央企业国有资本收益上缴公共财政比例。
These two sentences use several multiple parallel phrases to express several different meanings. The structure is so simple that it even does not contain a subject. However, the meaning it wants to show is complete. For example,“以深化……，以调整……，以改善……”In the first sentence, it use three parallel phrases to show different meanings. In the second sentence, it uses several verbs “优化，加快，建立，完善……” to express the meaning, which have all omit the subject. 2.2 Brief Sentence Component English cares more about hypotaxis while Chinese parataxis. In English, some conjunctions are needed between English words and components to express grammatical meanings and certain logical relationship. In Chinese, the grammatical meaning and the logical meaning are expressed through words or sentence meaning expression. Therefore, English used to be of integrity, while Chinese usually omit some components. Such as:
3.当前改革已进入攻坚期和深水区，必须紧紧依靠人民群众，以壮士断腕的决心、背水一战的气概，冲破思想观念的束缚，突破利益固化的藩篱，以经济体制改革为牵引，全面深化各领域改革。要从群众最期盼的领域改起，从制约经济社会发展最突出的问题改起，从社会各界能够达成共识的环节改起，使市场在资源配置中起决定性作用和更好发挥政府作用，积极推进有利于结构调整的改革，破除制约市场主体活力和要素优化配置的障碍，让全社会创造潜力充分释放，让公平正义得以彰显，让全体人民共享改革发展成果。
China"s reform has entered a critical stage and a deep water zone. We must rely fully on the people, break mental shackles and vested interests with great determination, and pursue economic structural reform as the key step to deepen comprehensive reform in all areas. In carrying out reform, we need to focus on areas where the public call for reform is strongest, the most pressing problems hindering economic and social development, and links on which there is extensive public consensus. We need to ensure that the market plays the decisive role in allocating resources and make the government better play
its role, vigorously advance reforms conducive to economic structural adjustment, remove constraints on market actors and efficiently allocating factors of production, fully tap the creative potential in society, promote fairness and justice, and enable everyone to share in the fruits of reform and development.
In the sentence, the source language tends to be more simpler, it lacks some components, such as “我们必须紧紧依靠人民”we omit the subject “we”. In addition, we add “in carrying out reform” to make the sentence more logical.
4. 要以经济体制改革为重点，区别情况，分类推进，抓好牵一发而动全身的举措，力求取得实质性进展，更多释放改革红利。
We will focus on economic structural reform, advance it on different fronts in a targeted way in light of different conditions, take key measures that will have an overall impact, strive to make substantive progress and reap more benefits reform.
The sentence adds “we” to the target language to make it more complete, besides, it restructures the sentence again when it was translated into Chinese. 2.3 Chinese Characteristic Words Many terms with Chinese characteristics have emerged in the report on the work of government, such as “ 四 风 ”“four wind” ； “ 统 筹 规划”“comprehensive planning”； “三个代表 ”“Three Represents”；“三农问题”“three agriculture issues”；“定心丸”“ reassured the market” etc.. These characteristic words usually represent China"s policy and development trend, the translator needs to guarantee the quality of translation to ensure that these concepts can be understood by foreign friends. 2.4 Synonymous Words Expressions In the Government Work Report of 2014
, “提高，促进，加快，增加” “promote”. These repeated use of words, on the one hand, in accordance with the characteristics of political documents. On the other hand, can enhance the momentum and maintain the balance of the structure. Such as:
5.“以创新驱动发展”转变为“提高社会公平”和“提高政府执政能力”。
In the sentence it uses “驱动”“提高”to refer the same meaning.
Chapter Three
Translation Strategies of the Government Work Report of 2014
under the Guidance of Skopos theory
I mainly illustrate the part from the following aspects: the feasibility and the translating strategies of the Government Work Report of 2014
3.1 Feasibility of Translating the Government Work Report under the Guidance of Skopos Theory Functionalist skopos theory holds that translation based on the original has a purpose and results act. Translation is not a cross-coding process, but a specific form of human action, in every action there is objective, so translation under the control of objectivity. Under the control of Skopos theory, translation foothold in the target readers and the translation task entrusted to the body, especially on the cultural function of the target text.
As one of the most authoritative data, Government Work Report is the most reliable data the audiences obtain. Skopos theory which is based on the purpose of the source text , is a kind of cross cultural and interpersonal interaction. It takes all the factors in the translation process into account, but not limited to the traditional theory of the original author and the target reader. Therefore , it helps the audience to better receive the source language culture.
3.2 Translation Strategies of the Government Work Report of 2014
under the Guidance of Skopos Theory 3.2.1 Information Restructuring In the Government Work Report of 2014 , there are simple sentence structures with many coordinated components and seldom with conjunctions, which are connected with semantic relations. While in English, the sentence structures are much stricter and they care more about logical relationships between sentences. For example：
6.针对阻碍发展的结构性问题，我们注重精准发力，运用市场手段和差别化政策，
在优化结构中稳增长，在创新驱动中促转型，推动提质增效升级，为长远发展铺路搭桥。
To address structural problems that hinder development, we strove to take well-targeted steps and used both the market and differential policies to maintain steady growth while upgrading the economic structure. And we also promoted industrial transformation in the course of carrying out innovation-driven development, thereby raising the quality and returns of development, promoting industrial upgrading and creating conditions for sustaining long-term development.
The sentence uses several phrases to express the method used for how to solve the structural problems. It uses some conjunctions to join some sentence, for example ‘to maintain steady growth while upgrading the economic structure. In Chinese sentence, there are parallel sentences to show different ways. However, they are too loose therefore we use conjunction to make it much stricter.
3.2.2 Amplification and Omission 3.2.2.1 Amplification On the basis of the source texts, words, phrases, sub-clause and clause are needed to make it more idiomatic both grammatically and formally for target texts. For example：
7.鼓励发展服务业，支持战略性新兴产业发展；
We encouraged the development of the service sector, and supported the development of strategic emerging industries；
In the sentence, it adds the subject “we” to make the target language more logical. 3.2.2.2 Omission Unnecessary words and phrases are omitted in the target texts. For example：
8.推动能源生产和消费方式变革。
We will change the way energy is produced and consumed.
In the sentence, we omit the “energy” in the second sentence. 3.2.3 Domestication and Foreignization 3.2.3.1 Domestication Domestication is more reader-centered, which adopted an expression more used to target language to express source language. For example:
9.下决心用硬措施完成硬任务。
We will take strong measures to strengthen pollution prevention and control.
In the sentence, “硬”means “efficient or strong”, however, in Chinese, “硬”usually used to refer “something is hard.”
10. 切实保障“舌尖上的安全.” Ensure that every bite of food we eat is safe.
In the sentence,“舌尖上的安全”means the food we eat is safe. It uses a more abstract word to express a specific meaning. 3.2.3.2 Foreignization Foreignization cares more about the writer, therefore it adopted a way similar to the writer to show the source language. For example:
11.为全面建成小康社会、建成富强民主文明和谐的社会主义现代化国家、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而努力奋斗！
Strive to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and a modem socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious. With all these efforts, we can surely realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!
In the sentence, “富强民主文明和谐”, is translated into “prosperous, strong, democratic culturally advanced and harmonious,” which is source language centered.
12.
秉持“两岸一家亲”的理念，维护骨肉情谊，凝聚同胞心力，为建设中华民族美好家园、实现祖国和平统一大业贡献力量。
Guided by the vision that "we people on both sides of the Straits are one family," we will uphold our kindred friendship and work together with our compatriots to build the beautiful homeland of the Chinese nation and achieve China"s peaceful reunification.
In the sentence, it adopted a way similar to the writer, such as “两岸一家亲”and“骨肉情谊”。It is mainly literally translated.
Conclusion The paper analyzes the Government Work Report of 2014
from the perspective of skopos theory, which provides me an excellent perspective to express my view. Functional Skopos theory is starting from the theory of communication and behavior. In the point of functionalists, it is a kind of translation about interaction. It emphasize that translation is a cross-language and cross-cultural activity which is purpose-oriented and interpreter-sighted. The theory towards the report on the work of government is of great breakthrough. The report on the work of government aims at external propaganda and better understanding of development situation of China. This paper aims to conclude an appropriate theoretical framework for translation on the Government Work Report and to explore some feasible and practical translation techniques and strategies in this field. It is suggested that more typical materials be collected and be analyzed in a more systematic method.
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Acknowledgements
The completion of my thesis would have been impossible finished without the help of these people hereafter mentioned.
First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to
my supervisor, Lecturer Ms. Xu Li ,who has helped me a lot during the whole process of the thesis writing. She is such a knowledgeable and kind teacher that she has read through the entire manuscript and corrected all the errors in my thesis. Her profound translation studies have enlightened me greatly. Her patience and support make me more confident about my thesis.
In addition, I want to give my sincere thanks to my best friends. The care, love, tolerance and encouragement gave me the impetus to continue my research.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my parents, my brother. Their love is the root of my life.