A Study Of The Chinese-English Translation Principles Of Public Signs From The Perspective Of Adaptation Theory

With the globalization of the economy, China and the outside world’s communication and exchange are increasing rapidly. The public signs both in Chinese and English are more and more popular in China. However, the current situation of the English version of public signs is not satisfactory. The errors in the translation bring misunderstanding and inconvenience to foreigners. Public signs serve as a name card which can give foreigners the first impression about China. In the long run, translation of public signs will influence our country’s political, economic, social and cultural development. Therefore, it is quite essential to make a theoretical probe into the existing problems and find corresponding solutions to them.The translation principles of public signs from Chinese to English have a realistic and far-reaching significance. Most articles conducted by the scholars cover the following aspects:error analysis in translation, the similarities and differences between Chinese and English public signs, the characteristics and classification of public signs, the methods or strategies of the translation. Among these academic articles, only a few touched upon the principles of public sign translation. As the theoretical basis of translation, the principles of translation play the role of guidance in practical translation. Without principles, the translators have neither rules nor regulations in translating, which is especially true to the translation of public signs that are closely connected with people. Although some scholars have already put forth principles of public sign translation, some of them are repeated, impractical or even paradoxical. This thesis attempts to provide some more practical principles.This thesis studies the topic from the perspective of Adaptation Theory. Adaptation Theory presents an overall systematic description of linguistic communication from a general perspective, namely, the linguistic, cognitive and socio-cultural perspective. According to Verschueren, using language must consist of the continuous making of linguistic choices, consciously or unconsciously, for language-internal and/or language-external reasons because language embodies three properties:variability, negotiability and adaptability. From the perspective of Adaptation Theory, the Chinese-English translation of public signs is also a process of continuous making of linguistic choices and adaptation. The author believes that Adaptation Theory as a comprehensive theoretical framework can be applied to the study of public sign translation principles.On the basis of many examples, the author proposes the Chinese-English translation principles of public signs, namely, the principle of contextual adaptation, principle of structural adaptation, principle of dynamic adaptation and principle of salient adaptation. The study reveals the following findings. First, the Adaptation theory is an effective theoretical framework for the translation of public signs. Second, choice-making goes through the entire process of public sign translation. Translators should adapt to a series of factors. Third, although translation methods and strategies help a lot to improve the English versions of public signs, translation principles are more important.The present study will contribute to theoretical studies of public sign translation and may enhance the standardization of public signs both in Chinese and English.