The C-E Translation Of Tourist Guides In Shandong From Functionalist Translation Perspective

With the enhancement of its status in the world, China is moving towards a powerful country of tourism. Foreign tourists are eager to travel in China. For them, tourist guides are the most convenient access to tourist information. Nowadays, every region in Shandong province is trying its best to develop tourism. With the prosperity of tourism, the C-E translation of tourist guides (TTG) in Shandong is in urgent need but far from satisfaction. Some cannot attract foreign tourists and fulfill marketing function effectively. Therefore, the systematic study on TTG in Shandong becomes a necessity.This thesis attempts to explore the effective strategies for TTG in Shandong under the guidance of the German functionalist translation theory. The reason why the author chooses this theory is determined by the features and marketing function of TTG, which is intended to attract foreign tourists and to promote tourism.However, there are many differences between Chinese and English tourist guides because of the cultural differences between two nations. In order to help foreign tourists understand translations easily, the language of the translated texts should comply with habitual expressions in English tourist guides. TTG needs the guidance of a function-oriented theory, which can help translators adopt flexible strategies to fulfill marketing purpose. Certainly, it aims at attracting foreign tourists in the target culture. German functionalist translation theory is function-oriented, which emphasizes the communicative functions of the target texts. Under the guidance of this theory, translators can pay much attention to the function of TTG and adopt flexible strategies to fulfill it effectively. Therefore, German functionalist translation theory is the best choice in guiding TTG.This thesis begins with an introduction, which includes the current situation of tourism and the present research situation in TTG. The author also gives the reason why German functionalist translation theory is the best choice to guide TTG. Part 2 is the historical review of German functionalist translation theory. It includes the formation and evolution of German functionalist translation theory. The representative views are elaborated and summed up.Part 3 is the functionalist analysis of tourist guides. The author introduces the scope, the marketing function and the features of tourist guides. Then, the author analyzes the significance of this theory to TTG and the functionalist factors in Shandong tourist guides.Part 4 is about the factors causing the difficulties in TTG. The author analyzes the differences between Chinese and English tourist guides, and discusses the factors causing them.Part 5 is about application and analysis. The marketing function oriented principle and the target reader oriented principle are summarized to guide TTG according to German functionalist translation theory. Then, the author analyzes the strategies of TTG in Shandong with examples.The last part is the conclusion. The author states the feasibility and significance of this thesis. Under the guidance of German functionalist translation, translators can follow the marketing function oriented and the target reader oriented principles in adopting flexible strategies to translate tourist guides. Successful TTG are bound to introduce tourist resources to foreign tourists effectively.