Abstract

One of the greatest characteristics of contemporary western translation theory is the application of linguistic theory. As one of the most important theories of system functional grammar, register theory is applied in many fields for its function and features. According to the register theory, Holliday thinks that in the process of translation, translators should make the translation reproduce the register of the original language, properly presenting the field, mode and tenor of the original text so that the translation and the original language can reach register equivalence.

    In this paper, the author introduces the definition of register and its three variables--- field, mode and tenor, as well as the historical development of register theory, including Malinowski’s contributions, Firth’s view and Holliday’s achievements. What’s more, the author lists three factors related to register, namely, dialect, genre and style and analyses the relationship among them. Moreover, author introduces the criterion of translation and analyses the significance of the application of register in translation. Then the author uses some examples to show the realization of register equivalence in translation separately from the perspective of field, mode and tenor. At last, the author draws a conclusion that it is nearly impossible to reach absolute equivalence, but we can try to achieve equivalence as possible as we can by taking three variables into consideration when we are translating so that we can better understand the source language and use corresponding register in the target text.

Key words: register theory, field, mode, tenor, translation, register equivalence

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction-2

1.1 The definition of register and its three variables-3

1.1.1 The definition of register-3

1.1.2 The three variables-4

1.2-The historical review of register-4

1.2.1 Malinowski’s contributions to the study of context-4

1.2.2 Firth’s theoretic studies of context-4

1.2.3 Halliday’s register theory-5

2. Some relationships related to register-5

2.1 Register and dialect-5

2.1.1 Definition of dialect-5

2.1.2 The relationship between register and dialect-6

2.2 Register and genre-6

2.2.1 Definition of genre-6

2.2.2 The relationship between register and genre-6

3. Register and translation-6

3.1 The criterion of translation-6

3.2 The significance of register application in translation-7

4. The realization of register equivalence in translation-8

4.1 Realization of equivalence of field in translation-8

4.2 Realization of equivalence of mode in translation-9

4.3 Realization of equivalence of tenor in translation-11

5. Conclusion-12

Works Cited-13