产品说明书翻译中的语用失误_英语论文

Pragmatic Failures in C-E Translation of Product Instructions 

摘要

产品说明书是生产商为销售其产品而附带在产品包装内部或外部的一种宣传小册子，用以说明产品的结构、功能、性状等各方面特征，并告知顾客如何正确使用所购产品。本文主要研究产品的汉语说明书在英译时的语用失误。论文首先介绍语用失误和产品说明书的定义，具体分析产品说明书的作用及其特征。其次从语用语言失误和社会语用失误两个方面介绍产品说明书英译时语用失误的具体表现。再次从译者角度和文化角度分析造成产品说明书英译语用失误的原因。最后有针对性地提出产品说明书英译语用失误的解决措施。

关键词：产品说明书；语用失误；解决措施

Abstract

A product instruction is a promotional instruction attached to the product packaging which is designed by the manufacturer for the purpose of selling the products. A product instruction displays the structure, function, and traits of the products and it informs the customer of the proper use of the products. This paper mainly studies the pragmatic failures in C-E translation of product instructions. First, the paper introduces the definition of pragmatic failure and product instruction, analyzes the function and characteristics of product instruction in details. Then it presents the concrete pragmatic failures in the translation from two perspectives of pragmalinguistic failures and sociopragmatic failures. Further more, it analyzes reasons for pragmatic failures in the translation of the product instructions from the translators’ perspective and cultural perspective. Finally, it brings forward some measures to solve the pragmatic failures in C-E translation of product instructions.

Keywords: product instruction; pragmatic failure; measure

Contents

Acknowledgements.i

Abstract & Key words in Englishii

Abstract & Key words in Chineseiii

Introduction1

1. Brief introduction to pragmatic failure and product instruction1

  1.1 Pragmatic failure2

     1.1.1 Definition of pragmatic failure2

     1.1.2 Manifestation of pragmatic failure3

  1.2 Product instruction.3

     1.2.1 Definition of product instruction.4

     1.2.2 Functions of product instruction.4

     1.2.3 Characteristics of product instruction.4

2. Pragmatic failures in C-E translation of product instructions5

  2.1 Pragmalinguistic failures5

     2.1.1 In lexicon.6

     2.1.2 In syntax8

  2.2 Sociopragmatic failures9

     2.2.1 In diction.9

     2.2.2 In semantics.9

3. Reasons for pragmatic failures in C-E translation of product instructions11

  3.1 Different national culture .11

  3.2 Mother tongue transfer.12

  3.3 Translators` language skills13

  3.4 Translators` attitude14

4. Measures to deal with pragmatic failures in C-E translation of product instructions

14

  4.1 Learning more about products .15

  4.2 Understanding different customs .15

  4.3 Enhancing translation skills 16

  4.4 Keeping rigorous attitudes.16

Conclusion .17

References18