Abstract:Bilingual public signs are used extensively in Chinese-speaking regions. However, many problems exist in the Chinese-English translation of public signs. Therefore, the study of public signs and their translation has become an urgent and significant task. This paper concentrates on issues relating to Chinese public signs in daily life and their translation into English. It concludes that the unique nature of public signs suggests a need for a further investigation of the language styles used in such signs in both languages. Then the author presents the most appropriate strategies for their C-E translation. Translators could work more effectively by referring to the functional features and language style of the expressions in English on signs. The author hopes all people notice the importance of the accuracy of public signs translation. When people are involved in public sign translation, they need to consider all parts about the translation. Then, fewer errors will exist.
Key words: public signs; C-E translation; feature; analysis; strategies
中文摘要:双语公示语在中国得到广泛运用,但是公示语的英汉翻译存在很多问题。本文着重分析日常公示语及其英译。在分析了公示语的特征的同时,指出进行公示语英汉翻译需要分析英汉两种语言特征,以便找到合适的翻译策略。公示语译者需借鉴英语公示语,分析其功能特征、语言风格,才会得到地道的英译公示语。另一方面进行公示语翻译要全面考虑公示语翻译特征。在综合的分析下,公示语英译错误才能避免。在收集已有研究基础上,本文作者收集了公示语相关信息和相应的翻译策略。
关键词:公示语,英汉翻译,特征,分析,策略