Feasibility of Applying Functional Equivalence Theory to Chinese Translation of English Songs

Abstract

Song enjoys an enormous popularity among people from different countries. However, the fact is that the Chinese translation of English songs is extremely short compared with the great potential market，and accordingly practice and theory of song translation are fairly deficient. Functional Equivalence is one of the most powerful and influential theories in translation study dealing with translation problems in the aspects of meaning, style. Nida emphasizes the closest natural equivalent and the reader’s response, which are song translation needed. The author hopes functional equivalence theory as theoretical guidance can be applied to the practice of translation of English songs in this thesis. The author also hopes this thesis can not only introduce a new approach to the study of translation of English songs, but also impel some translators and interested readers or professors to develop this field further in both the theoretical and practical areas.