On The Approaches To Reproducing Rhetorical Functions Of Repetitions In The English Version Of Xiongdi Under Skopos Theory

Based on skopos theory,the thesis seeks to investigate the approaches to reproducing the rhetorical functions of repetitions in the English version of Xiongdi by Yu Hua.As a rhetorical device,repetition plays a significant role in improving the literariness of Xiongdi by such rhetorical functions as underscoring theme,depicting character and enhancing the sense of humor.These rhetorical functions are reproduced to different extents by the translators employing different approaches.In translation studies,it is generally maintained that the formal aspect of repetition should be retained to reproduce its rhetorical function.According to skopos theory,different purposes of the translation allow different approaches,which provides an insight into the approaches to reproducing rhetorical function of repetition.The present author,focusing on the repetitions in Xiongdi,comparing the original and the translation,finds that in the process of translating repetitions,Eileen Cheng-yin Chow and Carlos Rojas,the co-translators of Brothers,employ four approaches,namely retaining,combining,substituting and omitting,these approaches exerting influence on the rhetorical functions to different extents.Based on analysis,it is found that by the approach retaining the rhetorical functions of repetitions are reproduced,that by the approaches combining and substituting,some are compromised,some represented and even enforced,and that by the approach omitting,they fail to re-appear in the target text.From the perspective of skopos theory,the thesis probes into the reasons for the choice of approaches in question.With the premise of realizing textual purpose in the reproduction of repetitions,relaying the meaning and form of repetition makes a difference to the application of approaches.Considering the difference in the convention of repetition between the source and target readers,different approaches are exploited accordingly.The formal association between the source and target texts influences the choice of the approach to reproducing repetitions.In addition,translator’s loyalty to the source producer and the target reader affects the application of approaches.It can be concluded from the study that when Rojas and Chow adopt different approaches to reproduce the rhetorical functions of repetitions,they realize the textual purpose in most cases.Meanwhile,the present author bears an expectation that the study is able to provide help for studies on the translation of literary works of Yu Hua and for other studies related to the reproduction of rhetorical function of repetition.