On Chinese-English Translation Of Publicity Material: From A Cross-Cultural Perspective

In the past two decades, publicity material is receiving growing concern and becomes an increasingly important medium for the outside world to know China. Publicity material is supposed to publicize China,including its political and economic development, the daily life of the Chinese people, culture, customs and so on, which plays an important role in introducing China to the outside world. With the deepening of reform and opening up policy and rapid development of economy in China, more and more foreigners are anxious to learn more about China. Publicity materials have their own characteristics and serve for special purpose. They are intended to help foreign audience better understand China and promote the friendship with them. The translation of publicity materials has a direct influence on international communication, for it is a window through which foreigners may know what is going on in China. Viewing the characteristics of publicity material, the Chinese-English translation of it should be different from that of other genres. However, the current situation and study of C-E translation of publicity material is far from adequate and satisfactory. Previous studies on this subject mainly focus on the level of individual words, phrases and sentences. Researches on cultural elements and translation strategies from cross cultural perspectives still leave much to be explored.In the first part of this thesis, the author clarifies publicity material has culture loaded characteristics and distinct political standpoints, which largely targets at foreign audience. The purpose of publicity materials is to help the foreigners have a correct and comprehensive understanding about China. Then the author analyzes the present problems that exist in the field of C-E translation of publicity materials, such like failing to fill in China's ABCs, inadequate translation of political expressions, problems caused by literal translation and cultural barriers.In the second step, the author explores the significance of cultural factors in the C-E translation of publicity material. Then she discusses the causes of the problems in translation from cultural aspects like thought patterns, belief, geography, history, customs and values in order to seek answers from cultural perspectives.At last, after discussing the fundamental principles of the C-E translation of publicity material, the thesis introduces several specific strategies, including literal translation, annotation, free translation, omission and recreation.