A Study On The Translation Of Synonyms In Shakespeare’s Hamlet:from The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence Theory

Synonym attracts great attention of scholars throughout the ages and countries. When defining synonym, scholars focus on the idea of "same meaning or similar meaning". In this thesis, the classifications, differences, rhetorical and cohesion functions of synonym are included. In general, there are three kinds of synonym:complete synonym, approximate synonym and temporary synonym. Approximate synonym is usually taken as research target and temporary synonym can form synonymous relation only in a certain context. Synonyms mainly differ in intensity, coverage, collocation object, meaning emphasis, emotional meaning and so on. Because of its similarities and differences, synonym can not only express the effect of emphasis, but also avoid repetition and make the text vivid, as well as expressing meaning with precision. As one of crucial cohesion devices, synonym plays an important role in connecting context and forming a close tie of the whole text.Beyond doubt, Shakespeare’s plays are the most valuable and unique literary works in the world, beyond the countries and ages with perpetual popularity. Synonym, as one distinctive feature of Shakespeare’s plays, is worthy of studying. However, the effects of synonym are different because of different translation strategies. Therefore, a better understanding of the differences and functions of synonyms in original text is helpful to convey original information better and give a better version.This thesis attempts to make a relatively systematic study on translation of synonyms in Hamlet from the perspective of Nida’s Functional Equivalence translation theory. Proposed by American translation theorist, Functional Equivalence translation theory is Nida’s most important and most influential translation theory, which greatly pushes forward the development of translation theory in the east and west. Besides maintaining the information transformation signified by traditional translation theory, functional equivalence creatively shifts the criterion of evaluating translation from form into receptors’response. It happens to accord with synonym’s features of meaning and functions emphasis. Therefore, this thesis takes synonyms in Hamlet as the target of the study from the perspective of Functional Equivalence translation theory and attempts to compare the versions of Zhu Shenghao(朱生豪)and Liang Shiqiu(梁实秋)through the translation strategies as follows:Translating English synonyms into Chinese synonyms; Translating English synonyms into single word in Chinese; Translating English synonyms into repetition in Chinese; Translating English synonyms into four-character structure idiom in Chinese; Translating single word in English into Chinese synonyms. It can be found in the research that:Although Zhu Shenghao’s translation style is very different from Liang Shiqiu’s, in the way of synonym translation in Hamlet, they almost come to an agreement to reserve the functions and differences of synonyms to a large extent. The content and effect in original text are properly conveyed though the form may be changed if necessary. In addition, the way they translate synonym is very consistent with Functional Equivalence translation theory proposed by Nida.So far, it is still a new perspective to study synonyms of Hamlet and its versions. This thesis aims to focus on the evaluation of adequacy and inadequacy of those versions and gives some suggestions of synonym translation.