Vermeer also thinks that translators should adopt suitable translation methodology in order to carry out different purposes, and they should have the right to decide how to fulfill the purpose. He argues that “the principle of purpose” should be the crucial rule of translation. When the purpose of translation is different, the strategies and methods adopted should be different as well. Therefore, the strategies and methods of translation are the choice decided by purpose（Vermeer, 1989:182-187）.

The third stage is the further development of the functionalism theory in translation. Justa Holz Mantari brought in the theory of communication and behavior, and translation behavior becomes a concern. Translation should be seen as purpose driven, translation-oriented interaction with people (Manttari, 1984:7-8). This theory and the Skopos theory were merged together later by Vermeer because they have a lot in common.

The fourth stage is one of completion and perfection of the functionalism theory. Christiane Nord used English to explain the factors, internal and external, in the studies of translation. And she studied how to formulate translation strategies that are most suitable for the purpose of translation,  which base on the original features. Christiane Nord perfected the theory by suggesting that translators should follow the principle of“feature and loyalty”（Nord, 2001:1）.

2.3 Application of Skopos Theory in Translation

Skopos theory insists that the most prior and crucial doctrines of all translation behaviors is Principle of Purpose. Translation must function in the context of translation and culture as the target language recipient expects. The whole process of translation, in another way, the result determines the method is identified by the purpose of translation behavior.

The principle of purpose, the principle of coherence and the principle of loyalty are the three basic principles of the Skopos theory, of which the principle of purpose is the core. The Skopos theory of translation is more common in business translation and intercultural communication thanks to its practicality. It is not so widely used in the translation of pure literature and in poetry translation. Therefore, there are few studies on the application of Skopos theory in poetry translation. But given that poetry is an important part of literature, and different translations are needed for different communication groups in different communication situations, it’s necessary to study its practical significance in poetry translation.

3 Chinese Poetry and Translation

Poetry is simultaneously progressing along with human beings. The origin of poetry is closely related to the social life in the ancient times, and it is accompanied by the progress of human origin and development. As an important part of world poetics, Chinese poetry plays an important role in Chinese literary history. With the flow and exchange of human thoughts, poetry translation and translation theory have also begun to develop.

3.1 Brief Introduction to Chinese Poetry

China is a country of poetry. As poetry is originated in human life, Chinese poetry reflects the life of its people. In ancient times, the most important social activity of human being was hunting, so there was poetry about hunting. For instant, one poem in The Book of Songs illustrating a man’s hunting scene reads: “Strong and abundant grow the rushes. He discharges one arrow at five wild boars. Ah! he is the Zou-yu!”.

In addition to hunting, there were various sacrificial activities, thus poetry about sacrificial events are also quite common. As an eternal topic of humankind, love is also essential. “By riverside are cooing, A pair of turtledoves; A good young man is wooing, A fair maiden he loves” is one of the earliest examples. The list of poems about love in Chinese poetry is endless.

Chinese poetry is full of suggestive nature, and the purport of Chinese poetry is often literal. It pursues a far-reaching meaning in a very short space. Most Chinese poems like using artistic conception and the combination of virtual and actual scenery. Artistic conception refers to a realm created by the combination of thoughts and feelings and external things. The poet integrates his subjective feeling and the objective scene into one, and portrays through artistic means, forming a kind of artistic harmony between scenery and the spirit, so that readers can get infinite aesthetic feeling from limited perception.