英语专业全英毕业论文(汉英公示语翻译)_公示语英语毕业论文
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本 科 毕 业 论 文
题 目：On English Translation of Chinese
Public Signs 院（系）：
外语系
班 级： 英语 级 班 姓 名： 学 号： 指导教师： 教师职称：
汉英公示语的翻译
摘要
公示语向来被称作“城市的脸孔“，是给所有到中国来的外国人士留下第一印象的中国名片。然而，公示语翻译的错误比比皆是，这大大影响了公示语作用的发挥，削弱了我国的国际形象。为了树立我国良好的国际形象，不断规范和完善城市公示语的翻译成为了一项亟待完成的工作。
基于以上原因，作者尝试从理论和实践的角度分析现今汉英公示语翻译中所存在的一些问题。通过对大量标准以及问题公示语翻译的深入观察分析，作者对公示语的一般特征进行了总结并对公示语翻译中出现的问题进行了分类，从而在实践观察和对相关理论深入研究的基础上提出相应的翻译策略。
翻译并不仅仅是跨语言行为，它更是一种文化信息的传递。公示语的翻译同样如此。得体的公示语翻译不仅在语言上要无懈可击，在文化信息传递上也要雅俗共赏。本文还对公示语的概念做出了解释，并根据目的需求与功能两种标准对公示语做了分类。在介绍公示语的特征时，作者将其分为语言特征与功能特征，特征与分类不同，也决定了需要采取不同的翻译策略。
关键词：汉英翻译；公示语；问题；翻译策略
I
On English Translation of Chinese Public
Signs
Abstract
Public signs, which have always been referred to “face of city”, are the first impreion of China for the people who come to China.However, the ubiquitous translation mistakes of public signs greatly undermine the international image of China.So, specificating and constantly perfecting the translation of public signs have become an urgent work in order to establish a good international image.The paper ventures an attempt to analyze the current problems existing in the C-E translation of public signs and to seek proper translational strategies both from the perspectives of theory and practice．By closely observing numerous samples of both standard and problematic translation of signs，the author manages to generalize the characteristics of public signs and to categorize the problems and mistakes in the current C-E translation of public signs．Then, proper translational strategies are proposed on the basis of in-depth study of relevant theories and keen observation of practice．
Translation is not merely a cro-linguistic activity, but more of a transmiion of cultural information．The translation of public signs is no exception．An appropriate translation of public sign should not only be
II
linguistically correct, but also culturally acceptable．This paper exprees the meaning of the public signs and claify the signs according to the standards of objective demand and function.And the characteristics of the public signs are different studied from linguistic features and functional features, which determines to adopt different translation strategies.Key words: Chinese-English translation
public sign
problems translation strategy
III
Contents
摘要……………………………………………………………………I Abstract………………………………………………………….....…II
CHAPTER I
Introduction……………………………………...…...1 1.1 Objective of the study…………………………………………...1 1.2 Significance of the study……………………..……….…..…......1 1.3 Structure of the paper……………………………….….…...…....2 CHAPTER II General Introduction to Public Signs……….…….…...3 2.1 Definition of Public Signs……..............................................……3 2.2 Functions of Public Signs…………………………….…….….....3 2.2.1 Directing function…………………………………..………..4 2.2.2 Prompting function……………………………….….………4 2.2.3 Restricting function…………………………….…..…...…...4 2.2.4 Compelling function………………………….…..……….....5 CHAPTER III
Analysis on Problems in C-E Translation of Public Signs……....…………………………….…………….…...………....6 3.1 Linguistic translation problems…………………..…...….………6
3.1.1 Spelling errors…………………………………..……...…….6
3.1.2 Grammatical errors…………………………….…..….……..6
3.1.3 Wrong dictions……………………………….……….……...7
IV
3.2 Cultural translation problems……………………...……..…….....7 CHAPTER IV Strategies of C-E Public Signs Translation and Requirementfor Translator………………………………….….……..9 4.1 Principles of C-E translation of Public Signs……………………..9 4.1.1 Clearne…………………..………………...……………….9 4.1.2 Concisene………………..…...…………………………...10 4.1.3 Simple words……………………………….……………….10 4.2 Methods of C-E translation of Public Signs……….....……....….11 4.2.1 Modification…………..……………………..……..……….11 4.2.2 Addition…………………..………………...……..………...11 4.2.3 Omiion……………………………….………….………..12 4.2.4 Mutual transformation of affirmative and negative expreions……………………………..…...…………………….13 4.3 Requirement for the translators…………....….…………..……..13 CHAPTER V Conclusion………………………….…………….…….15 Acknowledgements………………………….…….……………..……16 Works Cited……………………………………….………….………..17
V
CHAPTER I
Introduction 1.1 Objective of the study
The research objective of the study is to examine the translation problems in the Chinese-English public signs translation and further propose the translation strategies as well as principles suitable for specific groups.The studies begin with the careful and long period of observation of the problems existing in the public signs translation.On the basis of the claification of the translation errors proposed by Christiane Nord, the author aims at the most appropriate translation strategies for each type.With the examination of sufficient sources, the author finds that it is not difficult to eliminate the errors at linguistic level since the text of the public signs is le complex than documentary and other instrumental texts due to its concisene and directne features(Ni 18).1.2 Significance of the study
Public Signs affect people’s life in a tremendous way.When somebody smokes, it is the public sign that stops him.In fascinating and mysterious spots where we have never been to, it is the public sign that teaches us related knowledge.Foreign visitors from all walks of life，such as entrepreneurs，profeors，students and tourists come to China for various purposes．But for most of them，they know little about Chinese．In this case，it is neceary to translate Chinese public signs into English for the convenience of these foreign visitors．In this case, a proper translation helps establish a good image of China and enhance the cultural communication.1.3 Structure of the paper
The paper is structured with five chapters：
The first chapter is a general introduction to the thesis, including the objective of the study, the structure of the thesis and the significance of the study.The second chapter makes a general introduction to public sign, including the definition and functions of public sign.The third chapter focuses on the problems of C-E translation of public signs from linguistics and cultural perspectives.The fourth chapter deals with translation strategies of C-E public signs in connection with principles, methods and the standardization for the translators, including modification, addition, omiion and mutual transformation of affirmative and negative expreions.And the fifth chapter draws a conclusion to the paper，in which the author appeals for translators and scholars to make contributions to the C-E translation of public signs．
CHAPTER II General Introduction to Public Signs 2.1 Definition of Public Signs Public Signs，which are usually called“signs”，include public notices，advertisements，slogans and expreions on the public signs．Public signs refer to “signs” in English and are defined in different ways.According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English(1997)，a sign is a piece of paper, metal, or wood with words or a picture that gives information，warnings，or instructions.In that sense, public sign is the general terms for indicators，signs，traffic signs, posters, slogans, warning, short notices，short instructions，stickers，and are becoming the catch word and the buzzword．All in all, public signs are so widely used and played important roles in our daily life.2.2 Functions of Public Signs Public signs are eential to the normal operation of the society and their influence is also visible in almost every aspect of our daily life．Sometimes，we have to admit that our lives cannot do without the proper guidance that public signs provide to us．However, what usually happens is that we are prone to be bewildered by various public signs and the enormous information they convey to us．Therefore, it would be neceary to claify the public signs in terms of their functions as well as the status of information that they deliver． 2.2.1 Directing function
Directing is the most basic function of public signs, this type of public signs is used to give readers related information about what the institution is，what it deals with and what kind of service it can provide．For example:
Take Away(外卖)，Gas Station(加油站), Emergency Exit(紧急出口), Busine Hours(营业时间)，Pause(暂停)，Menu(菜单)，Airport Security(机场安检).From the examples above we may tell that the language and the tone of these public signs are generally neutral，reflecting no attitude towards receptors．Therefore，public signs of this kind are purely informative rather than vocative． 2.2.2 Prompting function
Promoting signs are similar to the directive ones in their informative function.While the difference is the former ．carries the tone of warning，reminding the readers to pay some attention to certain things or activities．For example：
Keep Clear(请保持清洁), Keep Silence(请保持安静), Wet Paint(油漆未干)，Fully Booked(客满)，Beware of Pickpockets(小心扒手)，Maximum Height(限高).2.2.3 Restricting function
Public Signs with restricting function impose restriction or even prohibition on receptors.The language used in this kind of signs are simple and direct but are not in rude，tough or impolite way．We can list some of them as following：
Pay In Cash(现金支付), Slow Out(减速慢行), Keep Silence(保持安静), 30 Minutes Parking(限停30分钟), Seat By Number(对号入座), Stand In Line(排队等候).2.2.4 Compelling function
Compelling function is the strongest considerable mood.It is used to prohibit the readers to do something or must do something.The language used is usually forceful，with no poibility of making a compromise．The sign with this function which we mostly often see is“No Smoking禁止吸烟”，that is to say that smoking is
completely forbidden．Imperative sentence is not enough to expre this strong mood，usually, we use“No+„”form，for example，“No Food禁止携带食物”．More examples：
Don’t Touch(禁止触摸), No Cameras(禁止拍照)，No Visitors(游客止步), No Trucks(卡车禁止通行), Dogs Not Allowed(禁止带狗入内).Translation of the public signs, translators not only need to grasp their function features since we use different mood to expre different function, but also should keep their language features in mind during the translating.CHAPTER III
Analysis on Problems in C-E Translation of
Public Signs
3.1 Linguistic translation problems
Linguistic translation errors are often due to deficiencies in the translator's source or target language competence(Nord 77).And in his book Pragmatics and English Language He Ziran explained that by making linguistic errors，the translators and interpreters fail to conform to the target language structures，instead they blindly translate the source text in their own language structures(157).Profeor Wang Yinquan, claifies linguistic translation errors into: spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes and wrong diction(32).3.1.1 Spelling errors Spelling errors are typical translation problems in bilingual public signs.The reasons for this type of errors attribute to the three factors: the incompetent language acquisition, the lazine of the translator when writing, the uncertainty of the correct spelling, among which the third type is most difficult to be identified.For example: 3.1.2 Grammatical errors
Apart from spelling mistakes，many grammatical errors also occur in the translated signs．These errors appear in various forms，most of which result from the translator’s poor command of the English language or irresponsible working attitude．As a result，the translated public signs cannot be of any help to the target readers．Sometimes they may do damage the image of our city．For example:
室内停车场(Car Park)—It may be apparent to tell that the translator intends to use the word“park”as a noun to expre the meaning of parking place for automobiles．However, as a noun the word actually means a public place where
people can entertain themselves with the landscape or public facilities in it．Therefore, it will be advisable to use the gerund form of the word “park”and translate it as“Indoor Parking”． 3.1.3 Wrong dictions
Wrong Dictions occur when the translator doesn’t make right choices of words in the target culture that will lead to unsucceful expreion of the correct information to the target text receivers.In fact, many English words have more than one meaning.Sometimes one word used to describe the source culture may not be applicable in another situation and the diction is conditioned.The words chosen for each text might vary according to different semantic and syntactic features in different situations.For example:
请勿采摘花朵--Please Don’t Pick Flowers.Here use“pick”to describe the gesture.In fact, there is a variety of expreion in English corresponding with “摘”, of which one of the expreions is “pick”.But in the given circumstances, “pick”doesn’t equate with “摘”.“Pick” means to select among a variety of choices, but here the sender wants to persuade people not to pluck the flowers.The error is due to the confusion about the seemingly identical usage of one word.3.2 Cultural translation problems
As we all know, people in different cultures may view the same thing in different ways and differ in the perspective of cognition．At the same time，they expre the same idea in different way．As far as Chinese and English are concerned, culture differences are tremendous．Translation breaks down language barriers and thus realizes communication between cultures using different languages.In this sense, target readers approach to people of source culture whose beliefs, backgrounds, perception of the world are distinct from their own.For example: 古装照相 It is ancient to pack photo “古装照相” is a typical Chinese term.In English, people don’t have the correspondent term.According to the public signs translation convention, the signs which are composed of Chinese noun phrases are expected to have the same structure in English version, so the sentence is not correct in terms of the sentence structure.Also concerning the meaning of the sentence, it is wrongly translated that the foreigners can’t get the meage which leads to the pragmatic failure of the aumed function.The correct version should be “Photos in ancient costume”.CHAPTER IV
Strategies for C-E Public Signs Translation
4.1 Principles of C-E translation of Public Signs
As we know, different functions need different language forms to convey and each language style poees its special principles.Ni Chuanbin and Liu Zhi analyze the language principles of public signs in their eay“The Principles for C-E Translation of Public Signs and its Cases Study”，published in Shanghai Journal of Translators for Science and Technology(18)．
Firstly, the signs are on a board，so the language on the signs should be in concise way due to the comparatively small space．Secondly, some public signs must draw the public’s attention at the first sight and the readers can catch its meaning very quickly and correctly, especially the traffic signs，such as“Abrupt Turn Left Ahead前方急转弯”，the applied words should be simple ones instead of rare ones．At last，the meaning of the signs should be clear and easy to read，the sign is set without ambiguity.So we can know the principles in details as following: 4.1.1 Clearne
Due to the short time the target reader can spend on reading the signs the meaning of the signs should be clear and easy to be understood．As the target readers are the common people who have little knowledge related to the concerned topic，the signs should directly hit the point and there should exist no vaguene．“严禁客货混装 Don’t put paengers and cargos together”.It is hazy and not clearne.So the sign“严禁客货混装” should be translated into“No paengers on Trucks”．
The signs are set for the public and not every reader is profeional，therefore when we translate signs，we should hit the point directly and clearly and should not
just talk around the bush.4.1.2 Concisene
According to William Strunk，Jr．and E．B．White in 1979(Joan Pinkham)：“Vigorous writing is concise．A sentence should contain no unneceary words，a paragraph no unneceary sentences，for the same reason that a drawing should have no unneceary lines and a machine no unneceary parts．”It is also true of language of public signs．
Usually, the readers for public signs just give a quick look at the board with signs on when they pa by．So the language on it need not be in a complete sentence，a phrase or just a word is enough，for example，“No Smoking禁止吸烟”，“Open正在营业”，we need not use sentences“Please do not smoke”an“We are on busine”.4.1.3 Simple words
Public Signs are set for the public，target readers of this kind of materials are ordinary people，not only the native English speakers，but also other foreigners who know a little English and English is not his mother language，and target readers also include overseas Chinese who is not a English native speaker．If the English version is full of rare words and expreion，it will cause a pragmatic failure of communication for public signs．There is always a small restaurant at the airport to provide fast food for the paengers，the English tablet should be“Snacks”instead of“Refection”，the later one is not often be used nowadays and we cannot find it in the dictionaries published in recent years．Take all another example，“景区环境卫生，需要您的维护”，should we translate it into“Environmental Sanitation of the Scenic Spot Needs Your Conserve”? The words“sanitation”and“environmental”
are not familial words for the public，we had better use“Keep Clear”or“No Littering”．
From the above，in order to make target readers catch the meaning at first glance，we should use the concise，clear, simple words and expreions in C-E translation of public signs．
4.2 Strategies of C-E translation of Public Signs 4.2.1 Modification
Generally speaking, it is always the case that the reader in the culture of the target language may not share the cultural background of the source language．Therefore，when dealing with culture-loaded words and idioms，the translator sometimes has to make cultural modification so as to generate the same feedback from the target text reader with that of the source text reader, and as for the translation of public signs, it is no exception．For examples：
西湖的虎跑泉—Tiger Running Spring, in this public sign, the translator obviously take the actual meaning of the sign for granted by translating the word“虎跑”as“tiger running”which means that a tiger runs for the spring．
4.2.2 Addition
Some public signs，especially signs at scenic spots，tend to include dynasties，legends or other cultural elements，while most foreign visitors lack the background knowledge of China．If the public signs are translated literally, the English versions may confuse the target readers．Thus we should adopt the translation strategy of addition to supply neceary information on the basis of accurate comprehension of the original public signs．For example：
谢绝游客入内
Closed To Visitors
禁止在墙上涂写
No Scribbling On The Wall 4.2.3 Omiion
Due to different aesthetic standards and cultures，Chinese writing tends to include flowery words，four-word phrases or some culture elements which are special to the Chinese culture．However, English writing pursues clear and simple expreions．In How to Help Foreigners Know China，Duan Liancheng holds a view that with the development of tourism in recent years，large numbers of brochures pamphlets and pictorials have been published for foreign tourists．A common weakne of these materials is full of flowery words and cultural elements of China which may confuse the target readers(Duan 286).So the translator should omit some adjectives or cultural elements which may pose barriers to the target readers．Then the English version will be easily understood by them．For example：
1.Source Text：慢速行驶
Version A：You must drive slowly． Version B：Drive slowly 2.Source Text：前方学校
Version A：There is a school ahead． Version B：School Ahead 4.2.4 Mutual transformation of affirmative and negative expreions
Mutual transformation of affirmative and negative expreions is a common strategy in translating the text of one language to the other．It is especially useful for transcending the translational difficulties due to different ways or habits of expreing ideas in Chinese and English．
In translating public signs，mutual transformation of affirmative and negative
expreions is neceary as well．In western countries especially in English—speaking countries，people tend to avoid using negative expreions in public literatures as much as poible in case that unpleasant emotion or feeling would be aroused on the part of the receptor．However, because of the difference in cultural values, negative expreions are more frequently used in Chinese public signs．Therefore，according to the theory of cultural translation, we should adopt the translational method of“Domestication”．
For example: “社会车辆禁止入内”，it is a kind of negative expreion in Chinese language.While it should be translated into “Staff Only” in English, it is affirmative.4.3 Requirement for the translators The C-E translation of public signs is by no means an easy job and it requires that a translator be serious and accountable in attitude, and proficient in both the source and the target languages at the same time．A good translator should always bear in mind the features and characteristics of public signs.Only if the translators acquire the expertise in the source and target languages as well as the source and target cultures can they produce qualified versions.In addition, as for the making proce of signs, the local governments should choose reliable and efficient sign-making units by means of bidding to undertake the job.And the translation should be tested in the foreigners to ensure the acceptability.Then a supervision organization in charge of public signs should be established to make sure that some common English versions are accurate and unified.CHAPTER V
Conclusion
Based on the previous discuions and analyses, the major findings of this study can be summarized as follow:
Firstly, the linguistic translation problems account for the reasons for spelling, grammatical and wrong dictions problems.Translators should improve their language acquisition in dealing with the problems.Secondly, as to cultural problems, the translators are advised to adopt communicative translation.To be more specific, the translation strategies are adaptation, restructuring, semi-literal translation, etc.Thirdly, the C-E translation involves the principles and the methods.The principles include three points of clearne, concisene and simple words.The translation takes place in a given situation or in another sense, the methods of C-E translation of public signs should be divided into four: modification, addition, omiion and mutual transformation of affirmative and negative expreions.Actually, the problems of the translation of public signs are far more complicated than the thesis．The problems that have been discued and proposed with strategies to are just a tiny tip of the whole iceberg．With the development of the society, it is sure that more and more public signs will come out by taking various forms，and new problems in translating them will turn up．Therefore，the claification of public signs and mistranslation, as well as the strategies for the betterment of the current status of sign translation, although the author attempts to let them be, are not all-inclusive and universally accurate.It is a long and hard way for us to go.Acknowledgements
I would like to expre my heartfelt thanks to those who offered me their sincere support and encouragement in the proce of my thesis writing．
First of all, I’d like to give my sincere thanks to my teacher, Kangbing.She has given me valuable instructions on my study.Whenever I need her help, she always enthusiastically offers me.During the proce of the completion of the thesis, from the researches chosen to be analyzed to the final composition, her patient and helpful instructions have benefited me a great deal.Her strict requirements have enabled me to learn how to do research work, and her kind encouragement have been supporting me to the end.Second, my true thanks also go to all the teachers who guide me in the field of busine English.Finally, my family and friends give me great encouragement and support during the composition of the thesis.I’d like to send them my heartfelt thanks too.Work Cited
Baker, Mona.Encyclopedia of Translation Studies[M].Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Pre, 2004：104.Nida, Eugene A.&C.R.Taber.The Theory and Practice of Translation[M].Leiden: E.J.Brill, 1969：89-97.Nord, Christiane.Translating as a Purposeful Activity[M].Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Pre, 2001：77.Pinkham John．The Translator’s Guide to Chinglish[M]．Beijing：Foreign Language Teaching and Research Pre, 2000：99.Snell-Hornby, Marry.Translation Studies: an Integrated Approach[M].Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Pre, 2001：267-271.Wil，Wolfman．The Science of Translation-Problems and Methods[M]．Shanghai：Shanghai Foreign Language Education Pre, 2001：125.包惠南.文化语境与语言翻译[M].北京：中国对外翻译出版公司, 2002:78-86.陈定安.英汉比较与翻译[M].北京：中国对外翻译出版公司, 1988:271-275.陈淑莹.标示语英译的语用失误探析[J].四川外语学院学报, 2006 ,1:117-120.戴宗显, 吕和发.公示语汉英翻译研究---以2012年奥运会主办城市伦敦为例[J].中国翻译, 2005,6:38-42.何自然．语用学概论[M]．长沙：湖南教育出版社，1988:157.赖少华.浅谈公示语的翻译现状及对策----以广州地铁站公示语翻译为例[J].湖北广播电视大学学报, 2009,6:112-112.吕和发, 单丽平.汉英公示语词典[M].北京: 商务印书馆, 2004:38．.倪传斌，刘治．标记语的英译原则及实例分析[J]．上海科技翻译, 1998,2:18-20.单爱民.谈英语公示用语的语言特点与汉英翻译[J].北京第二外国语学院学报, 2002,5:76-79.王晓娟.从功能理论看公示语翻译---以南京城市公示语为例[J].湖北经济学院学报:人文社会科学版, 2008,4:119-120.
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