Describing And Translating Nonverbal Signs

Translation of nonverbal signs is increasingly popular among researchers of translation theories. In the strict sense, translation of nonverbal signs refers to transference of description of nonverbal signs. The translator is not dealing with the naturally occurring nonverbal signs on a now-and-here basis, which he/she may perceive by the sense organs, but the description of those nonverbal signs. This is no easy job for the translator. This paper discusses the importance, principle and approaches for describing nonverbal signs. It is acknowledged that translation can be defined as a type of high-level intercultural communication, while nonverbal behavior constitutes an indispensable part of intercultural communication. This paper discusses principle and approaches for translating description of nonverbal signs from an intercultural perspective. The author also notices several interesting phenomena accompanying nonverbal signs finding way into the written text and discusses their respective influence on the translation process.