A Study on Chinese Single-Player Video Game Title Translation from the Perspective of Skopos Theory

Abstract

As video games gain popularity worldwide and become one of the most common entertainment forms in the digital era, a game’s title is given both commercial value and entertainment value. In the process of translation, in order to achieve these two values, the correct translation theory and strategy need to be adopted. Translating Chinese game titles accurately and effectively into English is challenging for Chinese translators. The idea “the end justifies the means” from Skopos Theory indicates that the translation effects decide translation strategies. Based on Skopos Theory, this paper explores the translation of Chinese game titles, and provides suggestions about translation methods for Chinese game translators and helps China game developers during their process of going global.