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[摘 要]The Chinese Version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,has attracted a lot of Chinese readers.From this point,it can be regarded as a successful translated version.Through the analysis of the Chinese version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,we can see that Skopos theory is applied in the process of translation.The appliance of the Skopos theory will be elaborated from the aspect of the usage of the rhetorical devices.
[关键词]Skopos Theory Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Chinese Version Rhetorical devices
[中图分类号]H159[文献标识码]A[文章编号]1009-5489(2010)06-0081-03
Ⅰ.Introduction of the Skopos Theory
Skopos theory is the nucleus of German Functional School.The main idea of Skopos theory is that translators should hold the thought from the perspective of the target readers during the process of translation.Therefore,translators should bear in mind what the function of translation text is,what the target readers'demand is and even what communicative situation is.Consequently,the choice of translation strategies is decided by the purpose of the translation text,in order to achieve a better function text.
There are three main rules which are skopos rule,coherence rule and fidelity rule.
1.Skopos Rule
Skopos is a Greek word for"aim"or"purpose". "The top-ranking rule for any translation is thus the'skopos rule',which means that a translation action is determined by its skopos;that is,'the end justifies the means'"by Reiss and Vermeer.
Vermeer also stresses on many occasions that the skopos rule is a general rule,and translation strategies and methods are determined by the purpose and the intended function of the target text.
2.Coherence Rule
The coherence rule states that the target text"must be interpretable as coherent with the target textreceiver's situation".In other words,the target text must be translated in such a way that it is coherent for the target text receivers,given their circumstances and knowledge.
In terms of coherence rule,the source text is no longer of most authority but only part of the translation beliefe.It is only an offer of information for the translator,who in turn picks out what he considers to be meaningful in the receiver's situation.
3.Fidelity Rule
Translation is a preceding offer of information.It is expected to bear some relationship with the corresponding source text.Vermeer calls this relationship"intertextual coherence"or"fidelity".This is postulated as a further principle,referred to as the"fidelity rule"by Reiss and Vermeer in 1984.The fidelity rule merely states that there must be coherence between the translated version and the source text
4.The Relationship among the Rules
Fidelity rule is considered subordinate to coherence rule,and both are subordinate to the skopos rule.If the skopos requires a change of function,the criterion will no longer be fidelity to the source text but adequacy or appropriateness with regard to the skopos.And if the skopos demands intra-textual incoherence,the standard of coherence rule is no longer vivid.
Ⅱ.The usage of Rhetoric Devices in the Chinese Version
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,the proper usage of rhetorical devices is one of the elements to make the book successful.Rhetorical devices such as simile,personification and pun appear in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and its Chinese version frequently.And they are necessary to create a special fantastic,humorous and delightful atmosphere.
1.Simile
Simile is regarded as the most simple and frequently used rhetorical device in English.It is a comparison of one thing to another.The simile is based on the similarity on one certain aspect between two things which are different in nature.
Then the hat twitched.A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:88)
接着,帽子扭动了。帽边裂开一道宽宽的缝,像一张嘴。(《魔法石》,苏农,2000:71)
As we know that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is an imaginative book which is full of fantasies.The author hasn't pointed out clearly whether it is a human's mouth or not,therefore,the translator does not need to define what kind of mouth that is.Considering the demands of the target readers,the translator leaves as much imaginative space as the author for the readers to imagine.The translated version is relatively a better version which conveys exactly what the author wants to express to the readers.
2.Personality
Personification is a kind of figurative language that ascribes human characteristics to an abstraction,animal,idea,or inanimate object.This rhetorical device is to endow the inanimate objects or abstractions with human qualities or possessing human forms.The use of this device can make language and inanimate characters described lifelike and vivid.The function of personification is to stimulate readers'imagination effectively.And therefore,personification always lead to a lively and relaxing language style.Since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fable.It's quite common that the author uses personification frequently.
Christmas was coming.One morning is mid-December,Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:143)
十二月中旬的一天早晨,霍格沃茨学校从梦中醒来,发现四下里覆盖着好几尺厚的积雪。(《魔法石》,苏农,2000:119)
In this sentence,Hogwarts,Harry Potter's school,is described as a person.The source text is vivid and impressive due to the personification.In England,Children like snow deeply and most of them are looking forward to the snow on Christmas.We can imagine how excited Harry is.The original sentence reminds English readers of such ecstasy.The translation is satisfactory by maintaining the personification."Woke"has been translated into"从梦中醒来"builds a picture of a lovely kid,who has a beautiful dream and opens the eyes with a sweet smile.The happiness is conveyed thoroughly.Its effect on Chinese readers is close to the effect of English version on its readers.
3.Pun
The pun is common rhetorical device in both Chinese and English.According to Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary,pun means:"humorous use of a word that has two meanings or of different words that sounds the same".The purpose of using puns is to create the effects of humour or hint or to deliver a complex feeling.If we want to reflect these effects in the translation,there is no way but to try to reappear the pun of the original in the translation.To translate according to the context of the original and imagine a similar context during the process of translation is a very good way to reproduce the functions of pun.
"Excuse me,professor Fliwick,could I borrow Wood for a moment?"
Wood? Thought Harry,bewildered;was Wood a cane she was going to use on him?
But Wood turned out to be a person,a burly fifth-year boy who came out of Flitwick's class looking confused.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:112)
“对不起,弗立维教授,可以让伍德出来一会儿吗?”
伍德?哈利迷惑不解地想,难道是木头拐杖,她要用它来教训他?
谁知,伍德原来是一个人,一个高大结实的五年级男生,一脸茫然地走出弗立的教室。
(英文里的姓氏“伍德”同时兼有“木头”的意思。)(《魔法石》,苏农,2000:91)
The pun lies in the word"wood"which means“伍德”in Chinese when used as a name,while"wood"also means“木头”.It is this confusion that makes a humorous textual effect of the work.In English,this is a common knowledge and the children readers know it.There is no need for the further explanation of it.While,this pun will not be easily understood by the Chinese readers,especially those who do not have enough knowledge in English.That is why the translator put a footnote for the target readers.With the help of the footnote,the Chinese readers also can get similar textual effect as the original readers.This is where the Skopos theory works.
Ⅲ.Conclusion
To sum up,the successful usage of rhetorical devices in the translated version contributes to the success of the Chinese version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.What's more,the purpose of the target text expresses exactly what the author wants to express to original readers.Due to the guidance of the Skopos theory and the skillful translation on the rhetorical devices,the Chinese version is a good one.
[参考文献]
[1]Rowling,J.K.Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,Bloomsbury,London,Berlin,New York,1997.
[2]Nord,Christiane.Translating as A Purposeful Activity:Functionalist Approaches Explained,Shanghai:Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press,2001.
[3]Reiss,Katharina,Translation Criticism:the Potentials & Limitations.trans.by Eroll F.Rhodes,[M]Shanghai:Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.2004.
[4]胡曙中.英汉修辞比较研究[M]上海:上海外语教育出版社,1992.
[5]〔英〕J.K.罗琳.哈利•波特与魔法石[M].苏农,译.北京:人民文学出版社,2000.
[6]余立三.英汉修辞比较与翻译[M].北京:商务印书馆,1985.
[收稿日期]2010年3月25日
[作者简介]常秀秋(1980～ ):辽宁沈阳人,辽宁大学外国语硕士研究生,研究方向:翻译。
[关键词]Skopos Theory Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Chinese Version Rhetorical devices
[中图分类号]H159[文献标识码]A[文章编号]1009-5489(2010)06-0081-03
Ⅰ.Introduction of the Skopos Theory
Skopos theory is the nucleus of German Functional School.The main idea of Skopos theory is that translators should hold the thought from the perspective of the target readers during the process of translation.Therefore,translators should bear in mind what the function of translation text is,what the target readers'demand is and even what communicative situation is.Consequently,the choice of translation strategies is decided by the purpose of the translation text,in order to achieve a better function text.
There are three main rules which are skopos rule,coherence rule and fidelity rule.
1.Skopos Rule
Skopos is a Greek word for"aim"or"purpose". "The top-ranking rule for any translation is thus the'skopos rule',which means that a translation action is determined by its skopos;that is,'the end justifies the means'"by Reiss and Vermeer.
Vermeer also stresses on many occasions that the skopos rule is a general rule,and translation strategies and methods are determined by the purpose and the intended function of the target text.
2.Coherence Rule
The coherence rule states that the target text"must be interpretable as coherent with the target textreceiver's situation".In other words,the target text must be translated in such a way that it is coherent for the target text receivers,given their circumstances and knowledge.
In terms of coherence rule,the source text is no longer of most authority but only part of the translation beliefe.It is only an offer of information for the translator,who in turn picks out what he considers to be meaningful in the receiver's situation.
3.Fidelity Rule
Translation is a preceding offer of information.It is expected to bear some relationship with the corresponding source text.Vermeer calls this relationship"intertextual coherence"or"fidelity".This is postulated as a further principle,referred to as the"fidelity rule"by Reiss and Vermeer in 1984.The fidelity rule merely states that there must be coherence between the translated version and the source text
4.The Relationship among the Rules
Fidelity rule is considered subordinate to coherence rule,and both are subordinate to the skopos rule.If the skopos requires a change of function,the criterion will no longer be fidelity to the source text but adequacy or appropriateness with regard to the skopos.And if the skopos demands intra-textual incoherence,the standard of coherence rule is no longer vivid.
Ⅱ.The usage of Rhetoric Devices in the Chinese Version
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,the proper usage of rhetorical devices is one of the elements to make the book successful.Rhetorical devices such as simile,personification and pun appear in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and its Chinese version frequently.And they are necessary to create a special fantastic,humorous and delightful atmosphere.
1.Simile
Simile is regarded as the most simple and frequently used rhetorical device in English.It is a comparison of one thing to another.The simile is based on the similarity on one certain aspect between two things which are different in nature.
Then the hat twitched.A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:88)
接着,帽子扭动了。帽边裂开一道宽宽的缝,像一张嘴。(《魔法石》,苏农,2000:71)
As we know that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is an imaginative book which is full of fantasies.The author hasn't pointed out clearly whether it is a human's mouth or not,therefore,the translator does not need to define what kind of mouth that is.Considering the demands of the target readers,the translator leaves as much imaginative space as the author for the readers to imagine.The translated version is relatively a better version which conveys exactly what the author wants to express to the readers.
2.Personality
Personification is a kind of figurative language that ascribes human characteristics to an abstraction,animal,idea,or inanimate object.This rhetorical device is to endow the inanimate objects or abstractions with human qualities or possessing human forms.The use of this device can make language and inanimate characters described lifelike and vivid.The function of personification is to stimulate readers'imagination effectively.And therefore,personification always lead to a lively and relaxing language style.Since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fable.It's quite common that the author uses personification frequently.
Christmas was coming.One morning is mid-December,Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:143)
十二月中旬的一天早晨,霍格沃茨学校从梦中醒来,发现四下里覆盖着好几尺厚的积雪。(《魔法石》,苏农,2000:119)
In this sentence,Hogwarts,Harry Potter's school,is described as a person.The source text is vivid and impressive due to the personification.In England,Children like snow deeply and most of them are looking forward to the snow on Christmas.We can imagine how excited Harry is.The original sentence reminds English readers of such ecstasy.The translation is satisfactory by maintaining the personification."Woke"has been translated into"从梦中醒来"builds a picture of a lovely kid,who has a beautiful dream and opens the eyes with a sweet smile.The happiness is conveyed thoroughly.Its effect on Chinese readers is close to the effect of English version on its readers.
3.Pun
The pun is common rhetorical device in both Chinese and English.According to Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary,pun means:"humorous use of a word that has two meanings or of different words that sounds the same".The purpose of using puns is to create the effects of humour or hint or to deliver a complex feeling.If we want to reflect these effects in the translation,there is no way but to try to reappear the pun of the original in the translation.To translate according to the context of the original and imagine a similar context during the process of translation is a very good way to reproduce the functions of pun.
"Excuse me,professor Fliwick,could I borrow Wood for a moment?"
Wood? Thought Harry,bewildered;was Wood a cane she was going to use on him?
But Wood turned out to be a person,a burly fifth-year boy who came out of Flitwick's class looking confused.(HPPS,Rowling,1997:112)
“对不起,弗立维教授,可以让伍德出来一会儿吗?”
伍德?哈利迷惑不解地想,难道是木头拐杖,她要用它来教训他?
谁知,伍德原来是一个人,一个高大结实的五年级男生,一脸茫然地走出弗立的教室。
(英文里的姓氏“伍德”同时兼有“木头”的意思。)(《魔法石》,苏农,2000:91)
The pun lies in the word"wood"which means“伍德”in Chinese when used as a name,while"wood"also means“木头”.It is this confusion that makes a humorous textual effect of the work.In English,this is a common knowledge and the children readers know it.There is no need for the further explanation of it.While,this pun will not be easily understood by the Chinese readers,especially those who do not have enough knowledge in English.That is why the translator put a footnote for the target readers.With the help of the footnote,the Chinese readers also can get similar textual effect as the original readers.This is where the Skopos theory works.
Ⅲ.Conclusion
To sum up,the successful usage of rhetorical devices in the translated version contributes to the success of the Chinese version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.What's more,the purpose of the target text expresses exactly what the author wants to express to original readers.Due to the guidance of the Skopos theory and the skillful translation on the rhetorical devices,the Chinese version is a good one.
[参考文献]
[1]Rowling,J.K.Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,Bloomsbury,London,Berlin,New York,1997.
[2]Nord,Christiane.Translating as A Purposeful Activity:Functionalist Approaches Explained,Shanghai:Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press,2001.
[3]Reiss,Katharina,Translation Criticism:the Potentials & Limitations.trans.by Eroll F.Rhodes,[M]Shanghai:Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.2004.
[4]胡曙中.英汉修辞比较研究[M]上海:上海外语教育出版社,1992.
[5]〔英〕J.K.罗琳.哈利•波特与魔法石[M].苏农,译.北京:人民文学出版社,2000.
[6]余立三.英汉修辞比较与翻译[M].北京:商务印书馆,1985.
[收稿日期]2010年3月25日
[作者简介]常秀秋(1980～ ):辽宁沈阳人,辽宁大学外国语硕士研究生,研究方向:翻译。