论文部分内容阅读
【Abstract】With the development of our country， we build up a good relationship with western countries. Public signs are regarded as a symbol of our country.Thus， appropriate translations of the public signs can guarantee a good communication between the Chinese and the international people. However， there are many problems on C-E public signs’ translation. This paper gives some advice for C-E public signs’ translating under the guidance of Skopostheorie.
【Key words】C-E public signs’ translation； existing problems； Skopostheorie
1. The definition of public signs
Public signs are a special type of writing for the communicative purpose. It always uses simple and direct words or some clear pictures to draw people’s attention. They are widely used in every aspect in our life， such as scenic spots， hotels， stations，markets， hospitals and so on.
2. The problems of public signs’ translating
（1）Semantic deviation
It is one of the most common errors that appear in public signs’ translating. After translation， the original information cannot be accurately conveyed， which leads to the missing or manipulation of the information. The deviation of comprehension and translation can result in mistranslation.The collocation of words， mechanical translation， grammar， singular and plural error， tense errors are the main problems. To a large extent， mistranslation of semantic deviation is related to translator’s master of different languages and his understand of cultures.
（2）Lacking of humanistic care and affective factors
Not only in foreign publicity， but also in cultural and emotional communication， public signs are important. Thus， we need follow the politeness principles to create a harmonious atmosphere and show the humanistic care to foreign visitors. Whereas， in view of the historical reasons and national conditions， there are many colloquial and vulgar expressions often can be seen in the street.
（3）Doesn’t in accordance with English idiomatic expressions
In process of translation， translators are easily affected by their mother language. They may translate the text according to its original content， sentences， structure， and sequence without taking the characteristics of the target language into consideration. It is hard to understand their translations if they aren’t in accordance with English idiomatic expressions.
3.Solutions to the problems
In truth， C-E public signs’ translating is aimed at cross-cultural communication. Under the guidance of Skopostheorie， this purpose of C -E translation leads the translator to follow principles like： （1）Concise
The feature of public signs is conciseness. They try to use the simplest words to get the greatest social effect. The language of public signs should be concise， and not be so long and complex.
People should get the most accurate information in the shortest time. For example， “老年人优先”， “Old people waiting and getting on first” can be replace by “Senior citizens first”. There will be lots of expressions， and we only use three words to convey its English meaning.
（2）Conventional
There are different language conventions due to different history and culture. Some public signs are universally accepted and can not be changed. For example， “顾客止步”may be translated into many versions， in which “Stuff Only” is the most acceptable one. It conforms to the convention of western people.
（3）Functional Adequate
Owing to different ways of thinking and cultural backgrounds， there is a gap between the intention of public signs and the receiver’s cognitive competence. The translator should take some strategies to meet the need of the receiver. For example， if “司机一滴酒，亲人两行泪” is translated into “One drink of alcohol on the part of the driver can reset in two lines of tears for his family”， the English native speaker will feel confused. In fact， “Drink and Drive costs your life” is functionally adequate.
4. Conclusion
Public signs are pervasive in our daily life， as well as the English versions of them. It has a close relationship with our daily life. Therefore， translators should be equipped with both profound linguistic knowledge and cultural awareness when dealing with translation of public signs. Of course， we need a professional organization to set an unified norms. In addition to Skopostheorie， we still need more ways to improve the public signs’ translating.
References：
[1]包惠南，包昂.中国文化与汉英翻译[M].北京：外文出版社，2004.
[2]陈淑萍.语用等效与归化翻译策略[J].中国翻译，2003（5）：43-45.
[3]杜开.语用等效与汉英公示语翻译探究[J].河北经贸大学学综合版，2009（1）：44-45.
[4]葛传槊.漫谈由汉译英问题[J].翻译通讯，1980（3）：110-113.
作者简介：冯煊（1992.9.7-），女，汉族，甘肃兰州人，研究生，研究方向：翻译。
【Key words】C-E public signs’ translation； existing problems； Skopostheorie
1. The definition of public signs
Public signs are a special type of writing for the communicative purpose. It always uses simple and direct words or some clear pictures to draw people’s attention. They are widely used in every aspect in our life， such as scenic spots， hotels， stations，markets， hospitals and so on.
2. The problems of public signs’ translating
（1）Semantic deviation
It is one of the most common errors that appear in public signs’ translating. After translation， the original information cannot be accurately conveyed， which leads to the missing or manipulation of the information. The deviation of comprehension and translation can result in mistranslation.The collocation of words， mechanical translation， grammar， singular and plural error， tense errors are the main problems. To a large extent， mistranslation of semantic deviation is related to translator’s master of different languages and his understand of cultures.
（2）Lacking of humanistic care and affective factors
Not only in foreign publicity， but also in cultural and emotional communication， public signs are important. Thus， we need follow the politeness principles to create a harmonious atmosphere and show the humanistic care to foreign visitors. Whereas， in view of the historical reasons and national conditions， there are many colloquial and vulgar expressions often can be seen in the street.
（3）Doesn’t in accordance with English idiomatic expressions
In process of translation， translators are easily affected by their mother language. They may translate the text according to its original content， sentences， structure， and sequence without taking the characteristics of the target language into consideration. It is hard to understand their translations if they aren’t in accordance with English idiomatic expressions.
3.Solutions to the problems
In truth， C-E public signs’ translating is aimed at cross-cultural communication. Under the guidance of Skopostheorie， this purpose of C -E translation leads the translator to follow principles like： （1）Concise
The feature of public signs is conciseness. They try to use the simplest words to get the greatest social effect. The language of public signs should be concise， and not be so long and complex.
People should get the most accurate information in the shortest time. For example， “老年人优先”， “Old people waiting and getting on first” can be replace by “Senior citizens first”. There will be lots of expressions， and we only use three words to convey its English meaning.
（2）Conventional
There are different language conventions due to different history and culture. Some public signs are universally accepted and can not be changed. For example， “顾客止步”may be translated into many versions， in which “Stuff Only” is the most acceptable one. It conforms to the convention of western people.
（3）Functional Adequate
Owing to different ways of thinking and cultural backgrounds， there is a gap between the intention of public signs and the receiver’s cognitive competence. The translator should take some strategies to meet the need of the receiver. For example， if “司机一滴酒，亲人两行泪” is translated into “One drink of alcohol on the part of the driver can reset in two lines of tears for his family”， the English native speaker will feel confused. In fact， “Drink and Drive costs your life” is functionally adequate.
4. Conclusion
Public signs are pervasive in our daily life， as well as the English versions of them. It has a close relationship with our daily life. Therefore， translators should be equipped with both profound linguistic knowledge and cultural awareness when dealing with translation of public signs. Of course， we need a professional organization to set an unified norms. In addition to Skopostheorie， we still need more ways to improve the public signs’ translating.
References：
[1]包惠南，包昂.中国文化与汉英翻译[M].北京：外文出版社，2004.
[2]陈淑萍.语用等效与归化翻译策略[J].中国翻译，2003（5）：43-45.
[3]杜开.语用等效与汉英公示语翻译探究[J].河北经贸大学学综合版，2009（1）：44-45.
[4]葛传槊.漫谈由汉译英问题[J].翻译通讯，1980（3）：110-113.
作者简介：冯煊（1992.9.7-），女，汉族，甘肃兰州人，研究生，研究方向：翻译。