Translation of Achieves Pertaining to the South China Sea Issue Guided by Skopos Theory: A Case Study of British Foreign Office Document “Territorial Disputes of China” (1974-FCO-21-1242)
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Keywords
translation, archives, South China Sea, Britain, Skopos theory
Abstract
Britain has historically maintained substantial strategic interests in the regions surrounding the South China Sea. Throughout the twentieth century, numerous British departments preserved extensive archives pertaining to the South China Sea issue. These documents serve as essential resources for the academic study of the South China Sea, offering significant historical and legal insights. The translation of British archives concerning the South China Sea issue fulfills not only academic objectives but also significant political and legal functions. Nevertheless, current practices frequently lack a coherent theoretical framework to inform strategic decision-making. This study employs Skopos Theory in the Chinese translation of the British Foreign Office document “Territorial Disputes of China” (1974-FCO-21-1242). It posits that such translation constitutes a purposeful cross-cultural endeavor aimed at providing precise historical sources, bolstering sovereignty claims, and adapting texts for Chinese academic discourse. Through a purpose-driven analysis of lexical, syntactic, and textual choices, the paper illustrates how Skopos Theory effectively guides translators in balancing historical accuracy, political nuance, and reader acceptance. The study concludes that a skopos-oriented approach offers a robust theoretical and practical framework for translating politically sensitive historical archives, with implications for analogous translation projects.
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