Functionalist Approach To The C-E Translation Of Public Signs

This paper mainly discusses the definition, functions, features and language of public signs, as well as the theoretical foundation of translations of public signs. This paper aims at providing some practical translation strategies for the English translation of public signs from the perspective of functional translation theory. According to the functional translation theory, the main objective of public signs is to find the equivalence of the original texts and the translations. This paper also makes an interpretation of the definition of the public signs, which mean that the symbols or texts appear in public for giving tips, instructions or warning information. Public signs are widely used in hotels, restaurants, transport facilities, tourist attractions, business organizations and other public places. Broadly speaking, public signs, which are consisted of the text or related information, are for public viewing or listening, in order to achieve the purpose of a particular application of communication. From a narrow sense, public signs are used in areas of social management, which is a special language phenomenon applied for the public. Covering a wide range, all the signs or banners, whether posted or printed in public with the aim of providing advocacy and service to the general public or special groups, can be attributed to the scope. The main theory of this paper comes from the German advocator Reiss's"Text Typology"and Vermeer's"Skopos theory". Reiss is the leading figure of the German functional translation school. She presented the prototype of functionalist theory in the masterpiece"Possibilities and Limitations in Translation Criticism", published in 1971. She pointed out that the ideal translation should be"designed to achieve the equivalence between the target language and the original language from the aspects of concept, language forms and communicative function."Vermeer, student of Reiss, had been trying to develop the translation theory. From the perspective of Skopos theory, the purpose of translation conducts the entire process of translation, which means "purpose justifies means". Translation strategies must be determined by the purpose, which is the first law of Skopos theory--the law of purpose. The second rule is the law of coherence, and the third law of loyalty. That according to the functional translation theory, the core of public signs translation is"purpose."The translation of public signs should follow the language features, simple and clear, easy to understand, and being in line with norms. Translations should focus on the function of conveying the original meaning, not the literal meaning, to meet the expressions of the readers and be accepted.