A Research Report On Shop Sign Translation Errors In Changsha Main Roads

With the quicken pace of globalization, and China’s deepening opening up policy, the external exchanges between China and other countries reach all-time high. More and more foreigners invest, travel, study and even settle in China. Under this circumstance, Changsha’s12th Five-Year Plan makes it clear that laying a solid foundation to support Changsha City in its effort to build itself into a regional international city. In order to achieve this goal, building up a favorable language environment should be the first priority to make foreigners’life in Changsha more convenient. However, according to studies made by researchers and translators, public signs translation, especially those concerning commercial activities, such as shop signs are far from satisfaction in China. Therefore, the author attempts to carry out a translation research on Chinese-English (C-E) translation errors of Chinese shop signs in three main roads (Wuyi Avenue, Furong Road, Shaoshan Road) of Changsha.In this translation research report, samples of C-E shop signs collected in field survey are classified into several categories based on foreigners’needs.Through observing the statistics, a translation norm for translating Chinese shop signs is explored from basic formation of the signs so as to standardize translation practice while under the guidance of Peter Newmark’s communicative translation, abiding by the translation norm, mistranslated Chinese shop signs are then drawn and discussed in details according to translation methods applied.Revised translation versions are provided. At last, suggestions for future study are proposed for establishing a systematic and comprehensive public signs system.This translation research report does benefit foreigners in cross-culture communication by the revised translations and will be helpful in creating a sound international image of a city and promoting foreign exchange.