Abstract: With the development of globalization, more foreign goods enter the Chinese market and cosmetic has also become an important part. Cosmetic instruction, as a special “advertisement”, plays an important role in promoting the product. The translation studies of cosmetic instruction in China have shown that the theory applied is unsystematic. Skopos theory was proposed by the German functional theorist Hans Vermeer in 1978 who holds the idea that translation is a cross-cultural communication activity with a clear purpose, and translation methods and strategies are determined by the purpose. Skopos theory provides a new perspective for the translation of practical texts and makes the translation liberate from the bondage of source text. This thesis will take the E-C translation of cosmetic instruction as the research object, and apply the Skopos theory to summarize translation skills and strategies to prove that Skopos theory has certain theoretical guidance and practical significance in the translation of the cosmetic instruction.

Keywords: translation; Skopos Theory; cosmetic instructions

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Skopos Theory-2

2.1 General Overview of Skopos Theory-2

2.2 Three Rules of Skopos Rule-3

2.2.1 Skopos Rule-3

2.2.2 Coherence Rule-4

2.2.3 Fidelity Rule-4

3. The Functions of Cosmetic Instructions-5

3.1 Cross-cultural Communication-5

3.2 Informative Function-6

3.3 Aesthetic Function-9

3.4 Vocative Function-10

4. The Application of Three Rules in E-C Translation of Cosmetic Instructions-12

4.1 The Application of the Skopos Rule-12

4.2 The Application of the Coherence Rule-13

4.3 The Application of the Fidelity Rule-14

5. The Translation Methods of Cosmetic Instructions-16

5.1 Adaption-16

5.2 Addition-17

5.3 Deletion-18

5.4 Conversion-19

6. Conclusion-20

References-22