功能对等理论下公示语的翻译_英语论文

The Translation of Public Signs Based on Functional Equivalence Theory

摘要

随着社会经济的快速发展，越来越多的外国商人和游客来中国做生意和旅游。公示语在中国随处可见。因此，公示语的汉英翻译尤为重要。但是，现在的公示语翻译中仍然存在很多错误，这些错误会导致人们的误解。本文会依据奈达的功能对等理论分析公示语中现存的问题并讨论公示语的翻译方法。希望能给来到中国的国外友人提供贴心的帮助。

关键词：英语公示语；功能对等理论；翻译

Abstract

With the rapid development of social economy, more and more foreigners came to China to for business and tourism. A public sign serves as a guide in China. Therefore, the C-E translation of public signs is of great importance. However, a lot of mistakes in the translation of public signs lead to misunderstandings. This article, based on Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory, discusses the problems in translating public signs and also attempts the approach to the translation of public signs, hoping to offer a ready help for foreign friends in Chinese cultural environment.

Key words: public signs; Functional Equivalence Theory; translation

Contents

1.  Introduction 1

2.  Literature Review 1

2.1 Previous studies of Functional Equivalence Theory 1

2.2 Previous studies of C-E public signs translation 2

3.  The Functions and Features of Public Signs 3

3.1 The functions of public signs 3

3.2 The features of public signs 3

4.  The Application of Functional Equivalence in Public Signs Translation 4

4.1 Common problems in C-E public signs translation 4

4.1.1 Pragmatic failures 5

4.1.2 Social pragmatic failures 5

4.2 Translation techniques for public signs 6

4.2.1 Being culture-oriented 6

4.2.2 Being information-oriented 7

4.2.3 Being communication-oriented 7

4.2.4 Being style-oriented 8

5. Conclusion 8

Works Cited 10