A Study on Euphemism Translation in Modern Family from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence
Abstract Euphemism exists in all languages. In communication, euphemism often functions as taboo evasion, politeness, respect and concealment of truth. The 21st century has seen great development of inter-cultural communication, so the study of euphemism translation is drawing more and more attention worldwide.
The famous American translation theorist Eugene A. Nida put forward functional equivalence theory. Unlike the traditional translation theories that stress the correspondence between the source language and target language, it emphasizes reader's response. 48450
In this thesis, three principles of euphemism translation from the perspective of the functional equivalence theory will be put forward. They are principles of preserving the equivalence on response of the receptors, on euphemistic mood and emotion and on euphemistic form and style. Then it makes a case study in Modern Family, a popular American sitcom. Examples will be presented to achieve different principles of euphemism translation by different strategies- free translation, literal translation, addition, domestication. In conclusion, Nida’s functional equivalence theory has proved to be quite effective and instructive in euphemism translation.
Keywords: euphemism translation; functional equivalence; principles of translation; translation strategy
摘 要委婉语存在于所有语言中。在言语交流中,委婉语通常具有避讳、礼貌、和掩饰真相的功能。二十一世纪跨文化交际日益频繁,关于委婉语翻译的研究越来越受到国内外的关注。
美国著名翻译理论家尤金•奈达提出了功能对等理论。不同于强调原语与目的语之间的对应性的传统翻译理论,功能对等理论强调接受者的反应。
本文以功能对等理论为基础,提出三条委婉语翻译原则:保持接受者反应的对等;保持委婉语气和情感的对等,源^自#优尔^文~论`文{网[www.youerw.com;保持委婉语形式和文体的对等。再以美国流行情景剧《摩登家庭》为个案进行举例研究。通过不同的翻译策略:意译、直译、增译、归化来实现在功能对等理论指导下的委婉语翻译的原则。最后得出结论:功能对等理论在委婉语翻译中非常有效并具有积极的指导意义。
毕业论文关键词: 委婉语翻译;功能对等;翻译原则;翻译策略
Contents
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Significance of the Study 1
1.2 Literature Review of Euphemism both at Home and Abroad 1
1.2.1 General definitions of “Euphemism” 1
1.2.2 Literature Review of Euphemism at Home and Abroad 2
1.3 Thesis Structure 3
2. General Functions of Euphemism 4
2.1 To Avoid Taboos 4
2.2 To Show Politeness and Respect 4
2.3 To Conceal the Truth 5
3. Study on Euphemism Translation 6
3.1 The Significance of Euphemism Translation 6
3.1.1 Appreciating the SL Culture and Enriching the TL Culture 6
3.1.2 Benefiting Cross-cultural Communication 6
3.2 Principles of Euphemism Translation 6
3.3 Problems in Euphemism Translation