Abstract:While the cultural exchanges between China and the West have become increasingly frequent, a lot more works of English literature have been introduced into China by such an important tool as translation. And since the publication of masterpieces like Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling and The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, children’s fantasy literature has been popular acorss the world. So is in China. The research and practice of the translation of children’s fantasy literature matter a lot in cultural exchanges. But so far, most studies are conducted on the translation of children’s literature or that of fantasy literature whereas few studies are on the translation of children’s fantasy literature. It should be noted that proper noun is a significant part of children’s fantasy literature, so is the translation of it, which deserves scholars’ considerable attention.

Whether the translated version can be understood and accepted by readers is an important standard to measure whether the translation is successful or not. Skopos Theory is instructive to the translation of children’s fantasy literature as it considers translation as a purposeful behavior and highlights the purpose of the target texts. The thesis takes Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling as a case study and analyzes the E-C translation of proper nouns in children’s fantasy literature from the perspective of Skopos Theory. First, it introduces the development of Skopos Theory at home and abroad and then the status quo in China of the study on translation of children’s fantasy literature as well as the proper nouns in it. Following is the summary of proper nouns’ classification and features. And based on the three rules of Skopos Theory, the thesis studies the Chinese version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by Ma Ainong & Ma Aixin, and concludes the translation methods of proper nouns: literal translation, free translation, transliteration, literal translation plus transliteration and free translation plus transliteration. Each translation method is specifically analyzed, thus leading to general rules of the translation of proper nouns in children’s fantasy literature so as to help advance the translation of children’s fantasy literature.

Keywords:  Skopos Theory  children’s fantasy literature  proper noun  E-C translation

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The Purpose and Significance of the Study-1

1.2 The Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Historical Survey of Skopos Theory-3

2.2 Previous Study on E-C Translation of Proper Nouns in Children’s Fantasy Literature-4

Chapter Three Translation of Proper Nouns with A Case Study of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban-6

3.1 Features and Classification of Proper Nouns-6

3.2 Translation Methods-7

3.2.1 Literal Translation-7

3.2.2 Free Translation-8

3.2.3 Transliteration-9

3.2.4 Literal Translation plus Transliteration-10

3.2.5 Free Translation plus Transliteration-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-12

References-13