A Study Of Limitations Of Skopostheorie

Skopostheorie was proposed by H.J.Vermeer in the book A Framework for a General Theory of Translation co-authored by Vermeer and Katharina Reiss and published in 1984. It stresses that translation is a purposeful activity. After more introduction of this theory and of multi-yardsticks of translation from home and abroad, many Chinese scholars become in favor of Skopostheorie, which later grows more and more prevailing in Chinese translation field. According to dialectics, as well as China's current enthusiasm for western theories, its limitations should be given due attention. In fact, lots of scholars have discovered limitations of Skopostheorie, but which have not been studied systematically enough to help understand and apply this theory.This thesis aims to point out the limitations of Skopostheorie in a more systematic way to cast light on the correct understanding and application of the theory through translation criticism: instructive and evaluative roles of Skopostheorie.Chapter one introduces the background information of the thesis, including its objective, significance and structure. Chapter two is literature review, describing the previous studies on limitations of Skopostheorie and pointing out their defects. Chapter three introduces Skopostheorie and distinguishes it from other functional approaches to translationâ‘ . Chapter four extends the work on five limitations of Skopostheorie that are listed from Skopostheorie's instructive role in case readers are misguided. Firstly, through its theoretical foundations and rules the thesis proves: theoretical foundations of Skopostheorie are shaky, and the description of Skopos is simple; by making up some arguments the thesis bears out some previous criticisms on the theory: Skopostheorie does not work well in literary translation and Skopostheorie is not fully aware of the constraints on the translator's subjectivity; and lastly it proposes and proves that Skopostheorie is not convincible as a criterion of literary translation criticism. Then, the study places emphasis on a case study of Lolita's three Chinese versions. It is carried out from the perspective of Skopostheorie to provide more evidences of the argumentations of this thesis. This part compares three Chinese versions, analyzes the translation methods and mistranslation to draw the Skopos, and shows that the Skopos is inferred differently by different translation critics and not guaranteed to be right; not all translators can follow the Skopos throughout the entire translation process; Skopostheorie does not work well in literary translation; it is difficult to evaluate the target text (TT) from the perspective of Skopostheorie without knowing the translator's Skopos. These arguments undoubtedly testify to the above limitations. Finally, the thesis evaluates Skopostheorie objectively, makes a summary of the entire study and provides some suggestions about how to apply Skopostheorie correctly.This study starts from the theoretical background, foundations and rules of Skopostheorie and makes use of action theory, literary reception theory, literary translation and translation criticism to verify the argumentations objectively and comprehensively: theoretical foundations of Skopostheorie are shaky; the description of Skopos is simple; Skopostheorie does not work well in literary translation; Skopostheorie is not fully aware of the constraints on the translator's subjectivity; Skopostheorie is not convincible as a criterion of literary translation criticism. The thesis draws three new limitations and makes up some arguments for the previous studies to suggest directions in which further research is needed and explore how to apply Skopostheorie fully and effectively.