On Public Signs Translation in Changsha from Functional Equivalence Theory.doc

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1、ABSTRACTAs everyone knows, public signs play an important role in peoples daily life, to some extent, public signs can promote a country, the development of a city, signs of abuse or misunderstanding will undoubtedly result in negative effects, some errors in the public signs of the image, can even

2、hurt a city or the image of the whole country. In real life, the quality of the translation of many public signs is not flattering, or is full of spelling or grammatical errors or inaccuracy. From this point of view, it is necessary to explore some effective strategies and techniques for the transla

3、tion of public signs. Based on the above understanding, this paper attempts to analyze the existing errors in C-E translation of public signs, and puts forward some feasible strategies and translation techniques, hoping to provide some inspiration for the study of public signs translation.Key words:

4、 Chinese and English public signs translation; functional equivalence; translation principles1. Introduction11.1 Functional equivalence theory11.2 Application functional equivalence theory71.3 Features of Public Signs82.Common Problems in the Public Signs Translation142.1.1 Misspelling Problems142.1

5、.2 Lexical Problems152.1.3 Grammatical Problems162.2.1 Unidiomatic Expressions172.2.2 Names of Nonstandard Rules.182.2.3 Distortion of Intentions182. Closed to Visitors.192.3.1 Misunderstanding of Cultural Notions192.3.2 Improper Tone202.3.3 Vacuum of Chinese Characteristics213.The solution of publi

6、c signs from the perspective of functional equivalence223.1.1 Correcting the Spelling Mistakes223.1.2 Back Translation223.1.3 Following International Standard233.2.1 Standardization243.2.2 Improving the Level of the Translators253.3.1 Borrowing273.3.2 Keeping Chinese Characteristics273.3.2.1 Choice

7、of China English283.3.2.2 Employment of Explanation293.3.2.3 Use of Pinyin plus Free Translation29Conclusion30Bibliography321. Introduction 1.1 Functional equivalence theoryThe study of translation theory is systematic and expanded. Each theory has its historical background and environmental charact

8、eristics. In order to better understand Nidas functional equivalence theory, it is necessary and necessary to review other western scholars discussion on the equivalence of translation. Among these language theorists, Katharina Rice is a landmark theorist. First of all, we attach great importance to

9、 the German theorist.1.1.1 Introduction of Reisss Concept of Equivalence When expressing the information provided, the source text considers some important things, including the possible knowledge, viewpoints, interests and situational constraints of the source culture objects. Even if the original

10、text is written solely for the purpose of presentation, it can be concluded that the author has some possible source of cultural acceptors in his mind, because, by definition, the producer of the source culture lacks all the necessary conscious target culture. In the case of translation, the transla

11、tor is the real recipient of the source text, and then continues to inform another audience in the target cultural condition that the information provided by the source text is provided. Translation provides a target text for the new reader. Of course, the composition of the target text guided by th

12、e translators assumption is obviously different from the original author, because the source text and target text belong to different cultural and linguistic communities. This indicates that the translator does not provide the same amount and kind of information as the source text producer. What the

13、 translator does is to provide another form of information in another form (see Reiss and Vermeer 1984:123). This view of the translation task mentioned above directly challenges the traditional equivalence concept as the essential feature of translation. But does it completely negate the equivalenc

14、e? After exploring several works by Reiss, some answers can be found. In her article, after the analysis of several definitions of equivalence, Rice did not abandon the concept of completely opposite, she here combine it with full concept (Reiss and Vermeer, 1984:124), it is worth noting that Reiss

15、works in the adequate concept and other theorists of the use of the term almost the opposite. For example, Toury (Toury) commented, compared with the source text, source code to comply with norms determine the adequacy of translation (Toury 1955:124ff). In sufficient German, the quality of a specifi

16、c standard is characteristic, for example, his mother wants him to prove that it is enough, which is the main meaning Rice uses (Nord, 1997:35). In the Skopostheorie theory framework, Rices most important theory is that appropriateness is equivalent to the quality of the text about the abstract of T

17、ranslation: the translation should be enough to meet the requirement of brief. This is a dynamic concept related to the translation process. It refers to Reiss 1989:163 which is considered to be suitable for communicative purposes in translation tasks. However, equivalence is a static, result orient

18、ed concept, which describes the relationship between two texts equal communicative value, or between lower grades, such as words, phrases, sentences, syntactic structures, etc. In this context, value refers to meaning, stylistic connotations, or Reiss (1989:163). In comparative linguistics, RIS expl

19、ores the distinction between the concepts of language or language systems and the concept of text equivalence used in translation studies. It can be safely concluded that the equivalent form of translation depends entirely on the purpose of translation.For example, generally speaking, the purpose of

20、 translating a word is to faithfully reproduce the words and structures of the original text. Translators choose the target languages words and structures one by one, involving the source language of meaning and possible style. This is an appropriate translation, which requires only the Reiss 1989:1

21、62 on the lexical and syntactical structure. The equivalence of Reiss is equal to the sufficiency. It requires the text to provide the same communicative function text as the source, so as to retain the invariance between the function between the source text and the target text: (Reiss and Vermeer 1

22、984:140). That is to say, the concept of equivalence is simplified as functional equivalence on the textual level of communicative translation in Reiss.(Reiss 1989:166) in Reiss and Vermeers book, you have to study more deeply, you can get more ideas, the most gorgeous characters in the book are tex

23、t type theory of Katharina Reiss, you can also see such a concept: the original waste, is regarded as pure the information providedOr the translators Vermeer, 1987b:541. As a reader, you have to appreciate this theory and Reisss concept of specific translation type. This translation type is called c

24、ommunicative translation, which is related to some equivalent concept. Text type theory lays the foundation for the concept of equivalence, and regards text instead of words or sentences as the level of communication, and Reiss 1977/89:113-4 must be sought. Rices functional approach is a systematic

25、translation evaluation. According to her, textual typology can help translators to specify the possible hierarchy required for special translation destinations. And some other German linguists and translation scholars like Rice (Reiss, 1989:105) the difference of two different levels of abstraction

26、in the form of text classification: on the one hand, according to the dominant communicative function (basic performance, operation, information) types of text classification; on the other hand, text types or types in accordance with the reference books, lectures, or satirical advertising language f

27、eatures or custom sort). In 1968 - 1969, Reiss introduced this theory, text typology. In 1934, German psychologist Karl Buhler put forward the organ model of language function. The main characteristics of each type are informational, expressive and operative. According to this idea, the reference bo

28、ok is the most comprehensive information of text types; this poem is a highly focused form of expression, therefore, may be between types; biographical information types and types, because it provides information about the topic, also is the main function of expression of a literary work. Despite th

29、e existence of such mixed types, Reiss (1977/89:109) points out that the transmission of the main functions of the source text is the decisive factor for determining the target text. She suggested a specific translation method based on the type of text. The main function of information text is to in

30、troduce the object and phenomenon in the real world to the reader. The choice of language and stylistic forms is from this function. Because typology is considered universal, it is applicable to source culture and target culture. In this translation, both source and target texts are information type

31、s. The renderer should try to adopt the correct, correct and complete source text content representation, and under the guidance, we should consider stylistic selection, target language and cultures leading norms. As Rice introduced recently to her typology description (1989:108), the information ty

32、pe is also included in the pure information about the utterance, the information is the communication process itself. Translation should be concise prose, without redundancy, and use clear expression when needed. In the text of the expression, information is complementary, and even an aesthetic part

33、 of the text is ignored. The style choice I do is to serve the meaning of the text and bring the aesthetic effect to the readers. This effect must be taken into account in translation.In the actual text, the content and form are subject to the hypertext effect that the text aims to obtain. Therefore

34、, translating works texts into works should follow the same striking purpose, though it may involve changes in the content of the original, even the stylistic features. The translator should use the adaptive method to produce the equivalent effect between the target text readers. (Reiss 1989:109) at

35、 the same time, in this theory, there are a series of linguistic or supralanguage teaching standards (Reiss 1971:54-58), which can be used to evaluate the adequacy of target text. Semantic, lexical, grammatical and stylistic features are divided into internal linguistic criteria and external linguis

36、tic criteria, including situation, subject area, time, place, receiver, sender, and humor, irony and emotion. These standards are indeed interrelated. As for text types, the importance of these standards will change or change (Reiss 1971:69).For example, when translating any content - focused text,

37、we should first focus on preserving semantic equivalence. However, the target text for news items, although the standard syntax may be ranked second, but for the popular science books, pay attention to the source text content more individual style, should be in the guidance, taking into account the

38、choice of style, leading to the target language and cultural norms. As Rice recently described her Typology (1989:108)The type of information is also considered pure communication, the actual value of information is zero, and the message is the process of communication itself. Translation should be

39、concise prose, without redundancy, and use clear expression when needed. In the text of the expression, information is complementary, and even an aesthetic part of the text is ignored. The style choice I do is to serve the meaning of the text and bring the aesthetic effect to the readers. This effec

40、t must be taken into account in translation. The target text and the source text belong to the same category. If necessary, the translators who express the text should try to produce the same stylistic effects. In this case, the choice of style of translation is naturally chosen by the source text.

41、The translator should adopt the method of recognition and choose the perspective of the source text author.In the actual text, the content and form are subject to the hypertext effect that the text aims to obtain. Therefore, translating works texts into works should follow the same striking purpose,

42、 though it may involve changes in the content of the original, even the stylistic features. The translator should use the adaptive method to produce the equivalent effect between the target text readers. (Reiss 1989:109) at the same time, in this theory, there are a series of linguistic or supralang

43、uage teaching standards (Reiss 1971:54-58), which can be used to evaluate the adequacy of target text. Semantic, lexical, grammatical and stylistic features are divided into internal linguistic criteria and external linguistic criteria, including situation, subject area, time, place, receiver, sende

44、r, and humor, irony and emotion. These standards are indeed interrelated. As for text types, the importance of these standards will change or change (Reiss 1971:69).For example, when translating any content - focused text, we should first focus on preserving semantic equivalence. However, for the ta

45、rget text of news items, the grammatical standard may be in the second place, and for a popular science book, the individual style of the source text will be more concerned. At the same time, Rice also insisted that the use of metaphor in the translation of an expressive text is more important than

46、in the informative target text. Because in the translation of the expression text, the value of the semantic will be sufficient.Reiss (1977/89:114) points out that when the function of the target text may be different from the function of the source text, some opportunities will also be listed. Rice

47、 takes Jonathan Swift for example. Gullivers travels should have been written as satirical novels of contemporary politics, that is, mainly operational texts. But from todays point of view, nowadays, they usually translate into ordinary entertainment novels, that is, a expressive text. In Reiss and

48、Vermeer (1984), strictly speaking, in fact, text does not necessarily belong to one type. A business report, classified by Rice as a strong message text, can also take a strong expression. In fact, there are also some functions in source culture: providing information text for directors of a company

49、 Council and working texts that enable shareholders and market analysts to believe in effective operation of a company. This is also applicable to other text types. With operation function, biography can also easily persuade readers to choose a special attitude towards advertisements, which can be expressive or informative in normal operation. Reisss idea of linking text type