On Strategies For Translation Of Publicity Materials Concerning Overseas Chinese Affairs From The Perspective Of Peter Newmark’s Translation Theory

Language is an important communication tool for communication and exchangesin human society. Translation is the bridge which renders the communication andexchanges among different cultures possible. China’s growing national power haswitnessed the expanding exchanges between China and other countries; it has alsowitnessed China’s rising importance in the international arena. During thesecommunications and exchanges, publicity materials provide an important channel forother countries to know China. Translation plays a significant part in that. Bysuccessfully achieving the communicative effects of the publicity materials, goodtranslation of publicity materials can benefit China by introducing China and Chineseculture to the world.Publicity concerning overseas Chinese is a crucial component of China’spublicity work. For a long time, overseas Chinese has been one of the target objects ofChina’s external publicity. Using Across the Ocean–The Story of Overseas Chineseas a case, this thesis will explore translation of publicity materials concerningoverseas Chinese affairs from the perspective of Peter Newmark’s translation theory.By reviewing the status quo of studies on Newmark’s translation theory andtranslation of publicity materials, the author proposes a new research subject–thestudy on translation of publicity materials concerning overseas Chinese affairs fromthe perspective of Peter Newmark’s translation theory. Newmark categorized textsinto three types, namely, expressive, informative and vocative texts. Using texttypology as the foundation, he then introduces semantic translation andcommunicative translation. Semantic translation is more suitable for informative text,for informative text usually contains information and it is important to convey theinformation and facts in the text. Communicative translation is applicable toexpressive and vocative texts. Expressive texts usually have their own style, for thetext source is usually from authoritative figuires; vocative texts pay more attention toreaders’ response. Both text types desire the same effects on the target readers as the source text on its readership.The book, Across the Ocean–The Story of Overseas Zhongshanese, is anobjective reflection of Zhongshanese life in foreign countries since19thcentury. Mostof them had a miserable overseas beginning, but through hard work, they allsucceeded eventually. And they all love their homeland in one way or another. Thebook shares the features of common publicity materials while distinguishing itselfwith its uniqueness–strong vocative function of the texts. By analyzing some of theChinese-English translation examples with Newmark’s communicative translationtheory, it is the author’s hope that this thesis can provide a new subject for researcheson translation of publicity materials and that it can make some contribution to China’spublicity works.