A Study Of Cultural Translation In Momeni In Peking From Perspective Of Skopos Theory

After the term'cultural turn'proposed by Susan Bassnett and Andre Lefevere in 1990, scholars and translators began to consider the element of culture in translation practice seriously. Language and culture are inseparable parts in successful translation. The existing cultural differences constitute obstacles in cultural transfer and lead to a choice of translation strategies of domestication and foreignization. These two methods have never stopped being disputed in translation history at home and abroad. Not until the appearance of Skopos theory, the core of functionalism did people realize the most important factor in good translation.The thesis aims to analyze the cultural translation in Lin's Moment in Peking in light of Skopos theory. Lin Yutang is a prolific bilingual and bicultural writer and translator who enjoys popularity in the world. Because of his special identity, his representative work Moment in Peking can be viewed as an introduction of Chinese culture by way of translation. Guided by Skopos theory, the author of the thesis has selected many typical examples to illustrate what translation strategy Lin employs to deal with those culture-loaded expressions and the reason behind them. The thesis finally comes to a conclusion that foreignization is advantageous to retaining the original flavor but domestication will be adopted when foreignization fails to convey the meaning.Besides, the author pays attention to the E-C translation of Moment in Peking《京华烟云》which is a process of back translation. Again, from the perspective of Skopos theory, the author finds some examples to show how Zhang Zhenyu succeeds restoring the Chinese culture to cater to the taste of the target Chinese readers.The thesis tries to do a case study of Moment in Peking and its Chinese version in light of Skopos theory, hoping to give an insight into Chinese cultural transfer in the translation practice .