本書是一本研究英語(yǔ)語(yǔ)言學(xué)方面的純英文專著。主要運(yùn)用變譯理論的基本原理,結(jié)合當(dāng)前我國(guó)公示語(yǔ)漢英翻譯的若干實(shí)例,指出公示語(yǔ)翻譯過程中變的必要性和可行性,并就此提出相應(yīng)的變譯方法,以期實(shí)現(xiàn)公示語(yǔ)翻譯的功能與目的。本書旨在將公示語(yǔ)翻譯與變譯理論有機(jī)結(jié)合進(jìn)行研究,以變譯理論為指導(dǎo)探討公示語(yǔ)翻譯方法,開拓公示語(yǔ)翻譯研究新視野;基于變譯理論探討公示語(yǔ)翻譯方法,有助于譯者在公示語(yǔ)翻譯實(shí)踐中充分發(fā)揮其主體性作用,譯出傳達(dá)原始信息及其文化內(nèi)涵的優(yōu)質(zhì)譯文,營(yíng)造良好語(yǔ)言文化氛圍,優(yōu)化外宣語(yǔ)言環(huán)境。
Preface
Translation of public signs
plays an important role in Sino-foreign cultural exchange and economic
cooperation. But at present the quality of Chinese-English translation (hereafter
abbreviated to C-E translation) of public signs in China is still far from
satisfaction. Linguistic errors, pragmatic failure and cultural mistranslation
are common problems in current C-E translation of public signs.
Text types are closely
related to language functions. Language functions can decide text types.
According to text typology, public signs are classified into informative and
vocative texts which perform such functions as directing, reminding, warning,
informing, persuading and propagating. Peter Newmark put forward communicative
translation strategy to translate informative and vocative texts. The
communicative translation lays emphasis on the readability of the target text
and the reception of the target readers, the fluency, idiomaticness, brevity
and comprehensibility of the target language. It stresses that the target text
should be able to produce functionally the same effect on the target readers as
the original on the readers. Translation variation theory, put forward by
professor Huang Zhonglian, is a suitable and feasible theory to guide the C-E
translation of public signs, which aims at representing contents and messages
of the original by using appropriate adaptations such as addition, deletion,
edition, narration, condensation, combination and rewriting to meet the specific
needs of the specific readers under specific circumstances.
Based on the translation
variation theory, this book analyses the feasibility and necessity of applying translation
variation in C-E translation of public signs and explores the application of
some translation variation methods in translating public signs so that the
functions and skopos of C-E translation of public signs can be realized.
This book is composed of six
parts. Chapter 1 briefs the background, purpose and significance, methodology
of this study as well as the structure of the book. Chapter 2 is a text
analysis of public signs, which presents definition, classification, characteristics,
functions, and text types of public signs. It also makes a comparison of
translation strategies for translation of public signs and those for translation
of other text types. Chapter 3 mainly analyses the mistranslation in C-E
translation of public signs and its cause. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 are the key
parts of this book. Chapter 4 first gives a brief overview and comment on translation
variation and translation variation theory and then discusses the feasibility
and necessity of applying translation variation in C-E translation of public
signs. Chapter 5 explores the methods of applying translation variation to
translate public signs, such as amplification, omission, adaptation, imitation
and creation, so that the information and intention of the original can be
conveyed exactly to the target readers. The final part comes to the conclusion
in which findings, limitations and suggestions for further research are
presented.
It is hoped that this book
will provide some useful guidance for the readers to better understand the
functions and text types of public signs and learn how to apply translation
variation in their own translation practice and thus make a valuable contribution
to the standardization of C-E translation of public signs.
Due to festinate time,
limited knowledge and experience of the author, some mistakes and errors in
this book are unavoidable. Feedbacks, comments and suggestions from all readers
of this book are warmly welcome so that corrections can be made.
The Author
March
6, 2017
謝丹,女,1983年生,湖南婁底人,中南大學(xué)翻譯碩士,湖南婁底職業(yè)技術(shù)學(xué)院外語(yǔ)系講師、商務(wù)英語(yǔ)教研室主任。主要研究方向?yàn)樯虅?wù)英語(yǔ)、英漢翻譯,主持省級(jí)課題2項(xiàng),參與省級(jí)及以上課題3項(xiàng),公開發(fā)表論文10余篇,參編教材2本。
ContentsChapter 1 Introduction0011.1 Research Background0011.1.1 Public Campaigns on C-E Translation of Public Signs0011.1.2 Academic Research on C-E Translation of Public Signs0071.2 Research Questions, Purpose and Significance0171.3 Research Methodology0191.4 Research Organization019Chapter 2 Text Analysis of Public Signs0212.1 Definition of Public Signs0212.2 Classification of Public Signs0242.2.1 Classification of Public Signs on Basis of Information States0252.2.2 Classification of Public Signs on Basis of Application Range0272.3 Features of Public Signs0322.3.1 Lexical Features of Public Signs0332.3.2 Syntactic Features of Public Signs0372.3.3 Textual Features of Public Signs0392.4 Functions of Public Signs0422.4.1 Directing0442.4.2 Prompting0452.4.3 Warning0462.4.4 Informing0472.4.5 Persuading0482.4.6 Propagating0492.5 Text Types of Public Signs0502.6 Different Translation Strategies for Translation of Public Signs and Translation of Other Text Types053Chapter 3 C-E Mistranslation of Public Signs0573.1 Manifestation of C-E Mistranslation of Public Signs0583.1.1 From Linguistic Perspective0583.1.2 From Pragmatic Perspective0593.1.3 From Cultural Perspective0613.2 Causes of Its Problems0623.2.1 Lack of Awareness or Knowledge of the Functions and Text Types of Public Signs0633.2.2 Lack of the Guidance of Appropriate Theories0633.2.3 Lack of Awareness or Knowledge of Cultural Differences065Chapter 4 Feasibility and Necessity of Applying Translation Variation in C-E Translation of Public Signs0664.1 Overview of Translation Variation and Translation Variation Theory0664.1.1 Overview of Translation Variation in Translation Field0664.1.2 Huang Zhonglian and His Translation Variation Theory0704.2 Feasibility of Applying Translation Variation in C-E Translation of Public Signs0814.3 Necessity of Applying Translation Variation in C-E Translation of Public Signs0844.3.1 To Eliminate the Mistranslation in Corresponding Translation of Public Signs0844.3.2 To Handle Pragmatic Conflicts0854.3.3 To Release Extra-linguistic Information0864.3.4 To Complement Cultural Default0874.3.5 To Pursue Language Aesthetic Effects0884.3.6 To Simplify the Target Text089Chapter 5 Methods of Applying Translation Variation in C-E Translation of Public Signs0915.1 Omission0925.1.1 Selected Translation0935.1.2 Edited Translation0945.1.3 Narrated Translation0975.1.4 Condensed Translation0995.2 Amplification1025.2.1 Translation plus Comment1025.2.2 Translation plus Explanation1045.2.3 Translation plus Writing1065.3 Adaptation1085.4 Imitation1105.5 Creative Translation112Chapter 6 Conclusion116Acknowledgements120Appendix122Part 1 Traffic or Road Signs122Part 2 Signs in Public Places127Part 3 Tourist Signs131Part 4 Commercial Signs135Part 5 Signs on Environmental Protection139Bibliography144