Abstract

In China’s opening to the outside world, sharply increasing exchanges between China and the outside world give rise to more Chinese-English bilingual public signs. More Chinglish appears in the Chinese-English translation (hereinafter referred to as C-E translation) of public signs, too, that has defaced China’s international image and has led to obstacles of learning English for Chinese. Meanwhile, China English’s appearance in C-E translation of public signs that makes Chinese English learners confused and lost.
The present study intends to answer these questions: What are the differences between Chinglish and China English? In what ways are the two used in the English translations of public signs in China? What are the underlying reasons for the Chinglish and China English found in the English public signs in China? Are the use of Chinglish and China English in the English public signs acceptable? Why or why not?
Examples of Chinglish and China English found in the translations of public signs are analyzed to discuss the differences between Chinglish and China English. Meanwhile, from the theoretical framework of Relevance Theory, the right attitude toward Chinglish and China English is discussed. The present study finds that Chinglish is abnormal or deformed English that is produced by Chinese English learners when they are influenced by Chinese language rules. China English is an English variety based on Standard English with Chinese characteristics. It is used by the Chieses-speaking people and is useful for spreading Chinese culture. These two concepts have two differences: first, Chinglish is not accepted as normative English, whereas China English is accepted completely; second, while Chinglish is unsystematic, China English is a systematic and steady English variety. In the end, the author proposes that Chinglish should be avoided while China English should be encouraged.

Key Words: Chinglish; China English; Differences; Public Sign Translation

摘  要

在中国的对外开放过程中，激增的中外交流催生了越来越多的中英双语公示语的应用。然而，公示语英译过程中出现的中式英语，不但给中国的国际形象抹黑，也给英语在华的传播平添障碍；另一方面，公示语英译过程中出现的中国英语，也让国人一时无法理解接受，面对它时无所适从。
本文拟对如下问题展开论述：中式英语和中国英语分别是什么？二者有无区别？如有，区别是什么？中式英语和中国英语在公示语英译中的应用情况及可能的原因是什么？我们应以何种态度对待中式英语和中国英语？
本文主要通过分析公示语英译过程中出现的中式英语和中国英语实例来研究二者的区别。并从关联理论出发研究对待中式英语和中国英语的态度应是什么。
本文认为，中式英语是中国英语学习者在学习英语过程中受汉语语言规则影响而产生的不规则、畸形的英语。而中国英语是由以汉语为母语的人基于标准英语产出的带有中国特色并有助于传播中国文化的一种英语语言变体。二者主要有两点点不同：中式英语不规范，而中国英语是标准的、正确的英语；中式英语不成体系不稳定，而中国英语则是较稳定的英语语言变体。最后，本文提出，我们应该尽量避免中式英语而大力提倡鼓励中国英语。

关键词：中式英语；中国英语；区别；公示语翻译