A Cordparative Study Of Translating Idioms In Shui Hu Zhuan From The Perspective Of Skopos Theory

Shui Hu Zhuan is renowned as one of the4greatest novels in ancient Chineseliterature. It has a far-reaching influence on the whole Chinese literature. The novel ispopular to reader at home and abroad in terms of its special literature type, specialcharacters, vivid languages, etc. And the widely use of idioms makes the noveldeserving studies on aesthetics, arts and Chinese culture. So far, it has been translatedinto many languages. And there are4English translation versions, i.e, All men areBrothers translated by Pearl S. B in1933, The Water Margin by Jackson J.H in1963,The Outlaws of the Marsh by Shapiro in1980, and The Marshes of Mount Liang byJohn Dent-Young and Alex Dent-Young in2002. All the translation data in thedissertation originate from English versions translated by Jackson and Shapirorespectively.Skopos theory asserts that every action is purposeful, and translation is apurposeful activity in intercultural communication. Skopos rule is the primary rule intranslation and the Skopos decides the whole translation process, which is restricted bycomprehensive factors. Different Skopos or functions determine the choice of differentstrategies and methods in translation process. That is “the ends justify the means”.With Skopostheorie as its theoretical background, the dissertation compares thetranslation of idioms in Shapiro’s Outlaws of the Marsh and Jackson’s The WaterMargin. Due to different translational Skopos, two translators employed differenttranslation methods in tackling with some idioms’ translation.46typical examples werechosen to be compared and analyzed from the novel. Although Shapiro and Jacksonchose a mixed use of documentary translation and instrumental translation, they haveshown their different preferences. As to idioms’ translation, especially those with greatcultural differences, Shapiro was likely to adopt documentary translation, but Jacksonpreferred to instrumental translation. Under the guidance of Skopos rule, they both hadto take some translation methods which violated the other two subordinate rules.Generally speaking, both Outlaws of the Marsh and The Water Margin are successfultranslation versions, as they are basically adequate to meet their special Skopos intranslation. In conclusion, the author concludes that Skopos theory can be applied to guide literary translation.