Abstract

The paper aims to introduce Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory and analyze C-E translation of public signs with Nida’s Functional Equivalence. According to Functional Equivalence, the response of the receptors in the receptor language should be in the same manner as the receptors in the source language. That is to say, readers of translation should feel in the same way as those of the original do. Additionally, it aims at complete naturalness of expression, and tries to relate the receptors to modes of behavior relevant within the context of his own culture. Therefore, in order to judge whether public signs successfully fulfill their functions, the author should make a comparison between the original public signs and their translations by applying Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory. In the thesis, many examples concerning public signs are analyzed to do help to the current research on the C-E translation of public signs.

Key words: public signs    Functional Equivalence   comparison

摘 要

本文对奈达功能对等理论进行研究，并运用此理论分析公示语的汉译英。根据功能对等理论，目的语读者对目的语的反应与原语读者对原语的反应在一定程度保持一致。也就是说译文读者要得到原文读者同样的反应。另外，功能对等的翻译目的是实现表达的自然，并尽力将目的语读者和其自身的文化背景联系起来。因此作者通过对汉语公示语与英文翻译进行对比分析，看公示语是否满足了信息功能。在论文中，作者结合公示语翻译例子进行分析，以期对规范汉语公示语英译做一些有益的尝试。

关键词：公示语 功能对等 对比

1    Introduction
With the rapid development of China’s comprehensive national strength and the enhancement of its international status, especially successful host of the 29th Olympic Games and the 41st Shanghai World Expo, China has captured the eyes of overseas friends and more and more people come to travel in China. Apart from this, at the beginning of the year 2011, an advertisement planed by the Information Office of State Council running on large billboards in the New York Times Square, showed a slogan “Experience China”, appealing people from different countries to sense China. Under this circumstance, public signs have an indispensable meaning for overseas friends who come to travel in China.