This research seeks to contribute to translation studies by examining the illocutionary force of the speech act theory. It identifies two senses of illocutionary force： The active function of language is defined as l...This research seeks to contribute to translation studies by examining the illocutionary force of the speech act theory. It identifies two senses of illocutionary force： The active function of language is defined as lFl and the varying degrees of the strength of the speech act are defined as IF2. The implications of the two senses ofillocutionary force for translation studies are discussed in a case study of the translation of directives in Chinese versions of Shakespeare＇s play, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Translation shifts in transferring IF2, as manifested in pragmatic duality features of directness/indirectness, tone articles, repetition of verbs, action measure verbs, upgrader ＂,给我＂ and honorific addressing terms and vocatives are discussed. The notion＇s potential as a criterion to evaluate translation quality is also explored.展开更多
文摘This research seeks to contribute to translation studies by examining the illocutionary force of the speech act theory. It identifies two senses of illocutionary force： The active function of language is defined as lFl and the varying degrees of the strength of the speech act are defined as IF2. The implications of the two senses ofillocutionary force for translation studies are discussed in a case study of the translation of directives in Chinese versions of Shakespeare＇s play, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Translation shifts in transferring IF2, as manifested in pragmatic duality features of directness/indirectness, tone articles, repetition of verbs, action measure verbs, upgrader ＂,给我＂ and honorific addressing terms and vocatives are discussed. The notion＇s potential as a criterion to evaluate translation quality is also explored.
