摘 要

随着科技的进步和经济全球化的发展，国与国之间的距离进一步缩小。中国作为一个历史悠久、地源丰富的国家，吸引了越来越多的外国游客来华旅游。当外国游客在选择旅游景点前往参观时，好的景点名称翻译不仅可以引起他们的注意，而且可以影响他们的选择。然而，从目前旅游景点名称翻译来看，由于译者缺乏一个合适的理论指导，所译出的景点名称还在诸多不足。

翻译目的论认为翻译目的决定翻译行为。景点名称翻译蕴含历史文化及景点参观内容，是一种目的性很强的翻译行为，因此我们可以将翻译目的论作为理论来指导景点名称的翻译。本文从翻译目的论的角度出发，将景点名称翻译方法分为六种：音译、直译、意译、字面翻译、拼音加通名、拼音加注，对其翻译方法存在的优缺点进行阐述。

关键词：翻译目的论；景点名称翻译；翻译方法

Contents

Acknowledgments Ⅰ

Abstract Ⅱ

摘要 Ⅲ

Contents Ⅳ

1. Introduction 1
2. Demonstration 2
   1. Skopos Theory 2
   2. C-E Translation Principles for Scenic Spot Names 2
      1. Pinyin 3
      2. Literal Translation 4
      3. Free Translation 5
      4. Word-for-word Translation 6
      5. Pinyin Category Name 8
      6. Pinyin Annotation 8
3. Conclusion 9

Works cited. 10

Bibliography 11

The Chinese-English Translation of Scenic Spot Names from the Perspective of Skopos Theory

Introduction

In recent years, with the deepening economic globalization, tourism has gained its popularity. People tend to travel abroad to enjoy different cultures, customs and scenery in different countries. Since China opened up its door to the world in 1978, many foreign visitors have come to China for traveling, most of whom are from English-speaking countries where English is a second language. In order to benefit foreign visitors, many scenic spots have made many efforts to translate scenic spot names with English. Translation of scenic spot names is an important medium for foreign visitors to have a good impression about the scenic spots. However, there are a great number of inappropriate translations of scenic spot names which arouse foreign visitors’ confusions and misunderstandings.

Skpos theory is a relatively new translation theory focusing on choices of various purposes in the translation actions. It can make up for the disadvantages of traditional translation studies and add a new research perspective for multi-disciplinary translations. It plays a positive and instructive role in the translation actions. Translating scenic spot names is a translation action with various purposes. Therefore, we can use Skopos theory to guide in the C-E translation of scenic spot names. At present, the topics “翻译目的论、景点名称翻译、音译、意译” is relatively new, and we can find few results in the learned periodical. Those thesis mainly study the translation principles of scenic spot names from the perspective of Skopos theory, nor

do they state clearly the merits and demerits of listed translation principles.

This paper focuses on the principles in the translation of scenic spot names from the perspective of Skopos theory. It consists of three parts. Firstly, the author gives a brief summary of Skopos theory. Secondly, the author classifies into six kinds the principles in the C-E translation of scenic spot names and discusses in detail how to apply these principles. At last, the author concludes these translation methods and

points out the deficiencies of the thesis.

Demonstration

• 1. Skopos Theory

In the 1970s, several functional translators put forward a new translation theory - Skopos theory, which includes Skopos rule, coherence rule and loyalty rule. Skopos theory holds “the end justifies the means” (Reiss and Vermeer 101). The aims of translation actions determine translation methods we would like to choose. Skopos rule is the primary rule of the Skopos theory, and the other two rules are subordinate to it. According to the skopos rule, the purposes of translation actions can be grouped into three kinds: the principle aims of translators (making a living), the communicative function and application of some special translation skills to achieve our aims. Coherence rule means translation of the source texts should be readable and acceptable for the readers. Readers of the target text are able to gain the same information as those of the source text. Loyalty rule means translation should be loyal to the source text or the source culture. All in all, Skopos theory intends to achieve the goal of the target text.