Analysis Of Problems In C-E Translation Of Public Signs And Techniques For Improvement

Public signs, functioning as directing, prompting, restricting, compelling, advertising and public interest propagating, has its own language style—conciseness and accuracy in diction. C-E translation of public signs, an integrated part of foreigner-oriented publicity, is considered as"the name-card of a city". (Dai Zongxian, 2005) Therefore, C-E translation of public signs is of great significance.Important as it is, C-E translation of public signs is far from satisfactory. Having a close look at some examples, the thesis generalizes that in C-E translation of public signs there exist three problems: linguistic problems, pragmatic problems and aesthetic problems. And based on the problems, a probe into causes of them is made in terms of the linguistic difference, cultural difference and aesthetic difference between Chinese and English.On the basis of characteristics of public signs and translation variation theory, the criteria of C-E translation of public signs are proposed—conciseness, accuracy and being target-reader-oriented. From there, techniques to improve C-E translation of public signs, including addition, deletion, edition, condensation and adaptation, are presented and illustrated. At the end of the thesis, the following conclusions have been drawn.First, C-E translation of public signs is never a mere transform between Chinese and English, but an arduous task in which translators are required to be familiar with the functions, characteristics of public signs and the linguistic, cultural as well as aesthetic differences between Chinese and English. Besides, government's endeavor is also required.Second, C-E translation of public signs should conform to the characteristics of public signs, and be target-reader-oriented.Third, the techniques—addition, deletion, edition, condensation and adaptation—are illustrated to be useful devices to improve C-E translation of public signs.