3。1 Yang’s Version of Hong Lou Meng 8

3。2 Feasibility of the Skopos-Theoretic Analysis of Euphemism Translation in the Yang’s Version of Hong Lou Meng 8

3。3 The Application of Skopostheory in Euphemism Translation in the Yang’s Version of Hong Lou Meng 9

3。3。1 Translation of Taboos 9

3。3。2 Translation of Self-abasing Terms and Honorifics 13

V。 Conclusion 17

Bibliography 19

A Skopos-theoretical Analysis of Euphemism Translation in the Yang’s Version of Hong Lou Meng

I。 Introduction

In our daily life, people are often confronted with something regarding taboos，so they tend to shun them by mild substitutes。 In order not to mention taboos, people are likely to use indirect words to reflect their thoughts。 As a result, Euphemism comes into being。

The study of euphemism translation has been studied from many angles such as rhetoric, pragmatics, social linguistics, psychology and so on。 Functionalist Translation Theory has been put forward in 1970s in Germany which holds that translation is a purposeful action。 Skopostheory is regarded as the core theory on German Functionalist Translation Theory, which points out a new angle of the euphemism translation。文献综述

In Skopostheory, the source text is basic and the Skopos of translation is an essential factor in translation action。 That is to say, “the end justifies the means”。 In this theory, coherence rule and fidelity are equally important。 On the one hand, the coherence rule means that the translation should be consistent with the communicative situation of source text in order to make readers understand the source text better。 On the other hand, the fidelity rule refers to it that the target language should conform to the source language text。 In other words, it focuses on faithfulness。

Ⅱ。 Literature Review

2。1 Euphemism

2。1。1 The Definition of Euphemism

Euphemism is usually defined as a rhetorical device and many researchers regard it as the substitution of rude or impolite words。 It is defined as “substitution of mild or vague or roundabout expression for harsh or blunt of direct one; expression thus substituted” in Concise Oxford Dictionary(1976:491)。It also has a concise meaning: “a polite, careful or less explicit way used to avoid the direct naming of an unpleasant, painful, or frighting reality” in Webster’s Third New International Dictionary(1961:391)

In Western countries, the study of Euphemism can trace back to a long time ago。 A large number of researchers have referred to taboos in all kinds of documents。 Euphemism comes from the Greek word εὐφημία(euphemia), meaning "the use of words of good omen", which in turn is derived from the Greek root-words eû, "good, well" and phḗmē (φήμη) "prophetic speech; rumor, talk"。 Etymologically, the eupheme is the opposite of the blaspheme "evil-speaking"。 The term euphemism itself was used as a euphemism by the ancient Greeks, meaning "to keep a holy silence" (speaking well by not speaking at all。 In a book named Fair of Speech, the Use of Euphemism in 1985, essays concerning euphemism described one respect of euphemism。 The year of 1991 witnessed the publication of the book Euphemism and Dysphemism by Allan and Burridge which is concerned with euphemism in the view of pragmatics。

In China, the use of euphemism also has emerged a long time ago。 The study mainly started from the perspective of taboos and folklores。 Until modern times, the study of euphemism has been carried out for a long period of time in the terms of rhetoric。 Among the earliest scholars who defined euphemism, Chen(1976) was one of them。 He studied euphemism from the perspective of rhetoric in his book An Introduction to Rhetoric。 The 1970s and 1980s saw The Introduction of Sociolinguistics, which aroused much discussion about the social and psychological background of euphemism。 It is well-known that Hong Lou Meng is considered an encyclopedia of China in all aspects。 As a common phenomenon of all languages, numerous euphemisms are included in this book。 Therefore, it is necessary to carry out studies on Hong Lou Meng。 In this way, not only can western readers better understand Chinese euphemism, but also it can boost the communication between different countries。来.自^优+尔-论,文:网www.youerw.com +QQ752018766-