C-E Translation Of Public Signs From The Perspective Of Functionalism

The translation of public signs has been emphasized in first-tier cities. For example, the study of the translation of public signs has formed a certain scale in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. However, in second-tier cities and third-tier cities, the study of translation of public signs still needs to be strengthened. Through the author’s investigation of Hangzhou, Wenzhou and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province, there exist a variety of errors and problems in the C-E translation of public signs. The need of bilingual public signs of better quality is becoming more and more urgent, which will influence the development of the city in the internationalization.This thesis studies the C-E translation of public signs from the perspective of functionalism. Functionalist translation theories include text typology, skopos theory, theory of translational action, and theory of “function-plus-loyalty”. From the perspective of Kantharina Reiss’ s text typology, the author introduces features and functions of public signs, then explores and classifies the translation errors in major cities of Zhejiang. At the linguistic level, translation errors are classified into improper use of Pinyin, misspelling, grammatical errors, Chinglish and incomprehensible translation, wordy and redundant translation, and disunity in the translation of the same public sign. At the cultural level, the errors are classified into cultural errors caused by inappropriate tone and cultural errors caused by improper diction. From the perspective of functionalism, especially Hans J. Vermeer’s skopos theory, the author analyzes the errors. Most public signs belong to the operative or vocative texts, and the translator should aim to realize the vocative function of public signs.The author finds that the functionalist translation theories can well guide the C-E translation of public sign. In the C-E translation of public signs, translators should pay enough attention to the purposes and functions of different public signs, and cultural differences as well. Under the guidance of functionalist translation theories, the author puts forward with strategies at the linguistic and cultural levels, and proposes his own principles for the C-E translation of public signs, including target-reader-orientation, effectiveness, conciseness, unity and comprehensibility.