中国城市汉语公示语英译失误探析及其翻译研究

论文摘要

随着中国经济的发展以及对外开放步伐的加快,越来越多的外国人来华投资或旅游。公示语成了他们了解中国的窗口。然而,国内的公示语环境甚至可以用“脏,乱,差”来表示(罗选民,2006)。因此,对中国城市汉语公示语英译失误进行分析、研究,并采取有力措施改善汉语公示语英译质量是我们刻不容缓的任务。公示语――公开和面对公众,告示、指示、提示、显示、警示、标示与其生活、生产、生命、生态、生业休戚相关的文字及图形信息(吕和发,2005)。凡公示给公众、旅游者、海外宾客、驻华外籍人士、在外旅游经商的中国公民等,涉及食、宿、行、游、购、娱行为与需求的基本公示文字信息内容都在公示语研究范畴之内。作为一种特殊的应用文体,从功能上看,公示语具有指示性、提示性、限制性和强制性的特点;从信息状态上看公示语具有“静态”和“动态”之分,“静态”公示语常使用名词,“动态”公示语则多用动词;另外,公示语还使用缩略语和图片等手段来吸引公众,让读者一目了然,达到公示的目的。本文拟用大量实例(作者赴北京、上海、深圳、南京、合肥等地收集)从语言、语用和文化等层面分析汉语公示语在英译过程中经常出现的一些错误。公示语的研究是动态的,实践性的过程。就公示语翻译而言,我们首先要做的是找出问题的所在,把问题的性质分析清楚,拿出解决问题的具体可行的办法,用理论指导实践,在实践中发展完善理论,形成翻译理论和翻译实践的互动和循环(罗选民,2006)。本文以城市汉语公示语为主题,从以下六方面来论述。第一章导论部分简要介绍汉语公示语的研究背景、必要性、研究现状、意义、例证收集以及研究方法。在此基础上提出本文的研究内容。第二章从公示语的定义入手,分析公示语的特点,按需求、行为特点以及信息状态进行分类,介绍公示语的功能――示意功能和特定功能。第三章文献综述部分主要概括功能翻译理论的发展过程。功能翻译目的性理论强调翻译材料的目的性。威米尔提出的目的性理论是功能理论的灵魂。译文的目标读者在决定翻译目的的过程中起着重要作用。在翻译过程中要始终以公示语的功能为中心,使公示语译文在外国友人中起到应有的作用。另外,作者简要介绍了奈达的功能对等理论。第四章主要探讨汉语公示语常见误译类型。本文将这些类型分为五大类:第一类是语言层面的误译,包括拼写,词汇和语法错误等;第二类是语用层面的误译,包括不合英语表达、中式思维、逐字死译等;第三类文化层面的误译,包括忽视文化差异、文化误解、中国文化独特性、语气僵硬和误用禁忌词汇等;第四类是多层面综合错误;最后,作者单独将“命名不一”归为第五类并给出参考翻译标准。小结部分,作者提出以上错误存在的原因。第五章主要探讨汉语公示语的一些汉英翻译方法及策略。首先,译员要强化自身责任感意识,提高业务水平,把好翻译质量关。其次,由于汉语公示语属于应用文体,只要和国外公示语的目的和功能相同,有些就可以采用国际上的常用表达,进行汉英置换。对于具有中国特色的公示语,作者分为两类加以阐述。一类是口号和横幅公示语,作者建议采用直译、增译、省译、仿拟等方法进行翻译;另一类是旅游景点公示语,建议采用直译、意译、改译、拼音加意译等方法翻译。此外,作者从公示语不同的信息状态出发,对静态公示语和动态公示语的翻译策略给出建议。再次,作者提出,对于那些影响国家形象的汉语公示语可采取不译的策略。最后,作者认为健全监管机制对汉语公示语翻译的规范性和准确性将起到非常积极有效的作用。第六章结论部分重申汉英公示语翻译的重要性,总结本文的发现和局限性,并针对此提出进一步研究的建议。公示语翻译涉及方方面面,彻底解决绝非易事。最后,作者呼吁全民行动起来进行纠错活动以改善公示语翻译质量。

论文目录

• Acknowledgements
• Abstract
• 摘要
• Chapter Ⅰ Introduction
• 1.1 Background of the Research
• 1.2 Necessity of the Research
• 1.3 Present Status of C-E Translation of Public Signs in China
• 1.3.1 Public Campaigns
• 1.3.2 Academic Research
• 1.4 Significance of the Research
• 1.5 Sample Collection
• 1.6 Research Methodology
• 1.7 Thesis Structure
• Chapter Ⅱ Generalization of Public Signs
• 2.1 Definition
• 2.2 Characteristics of Public Signs
• 2.2.1 Application of Nouns
• 2.2.2 Application of Verbs and Gerunds
• 2.2.3 Application of Phrases
• 2.2.4 Application of Abbreviations
• 2.2.5 Prohibition of Rarely-used Vocabulary
• 2.2.6 Combination of Words and Graphics
• 2.2.7 Application of Present Tenses
• 2.2.8 Application of Imperative Sentences
• 2.2.9 Application of Standardized and Normalized Vocabulary
• 2.2.10 Application of Concise Words and Accurate Diction
• 2.2.11 Wordings with Local Characteristics
• 2.2.12 Summary
• 2.3 Categorization of Public Signs
• 2.3.1 Based on the Needs and Behavioral Characteristics
• 2.3.2 Based on the Information States
• 2.3.2.1 Stative Public Signs
• 2.3.2.2 Dynamic Public Signs
• 2.3.2.3 Summary
• 2.4 Functions of Public Signs
• 2.4.1 Indication -- the Basic Functions
• 2.4.1.1 Directing
• 2.4.1.2 Prompting
• 2.4.1.3 Restricting
• 2.4.1.4 Compelling
• 2.4.2 Pragmatic and Specific Functions
• 2.4.2.1 Arousing Attention
• 2.4.2.2 Providing Information
• 2.4.2.3 Deepening Understanding
• 2.4.2.4 Stimulating Purchase
• 2.4.2.5 Reinforcing Image
• 2.4.2.6 Serving Society
• Chapter Ⅲ Literature Review
• 3.1 Practical Translation
• 3.2 Review of the Functional Approach
• 3.3 Introduction of Skopostheorie
• 3.3.1 Skopos and Skopos Rule
• 3.3.2 Function plus Loyalty
• 3.3.3 Some Basic Terms of Skopostheorie
• 3.3.4 Summary
• 3.4 Eugene Nida and His Functional Equivalence
• 3.5 Contribution of Functionalism to C-E Translation of Public Signs
• Chapter IV Translation Errors on Public Signs in China
• 4.1 An Overview of the Different Translation Errors on Public Signs
• 4.2 Linguistic Errors in the Translation of Public Signs
• 4.2.1 Spelling Errors
• 4.2.1.1 Wrong Spelling
• 4.2.1.2 Misuse of Capitalized Letters
• 4.2.1.3 Using Chinese Pinyin to Replace English Words
• 4.2.2 Lexical Errors
• 4.2.2.1 Pseudo-equivalents
• 4.2.2.2 Lexical Redundancy
• 4.2.3 Grammatical Errors
• 4.2.3.1 Misuse of Part of Speech of the Corresponding Word
• 4.2.3.2 Other Grammatical Errors
• 4.3 Pragmatic Errors in the Translation of Public Signs
• 4.3.1 Non-conforming to the English Expression
• 4.3.2 Influenced by Chinese Thinking and Misusing Chinese Expressive Pattern
• 4.3.3 Word-for-word Translation
• 4.4 Cultural Errors in the Translation of Public Signs
• 4.4.1 Culture, Language and Translation
• 4.4.2 Ignorance of Cultural Discrepancy
• 4.4.3 Cultural Misunderstanding
• 4.4.4 Peculiarity of a Specific Culture
• 4.4.5 Inappropriate Use of Taboo
• 4.4.6 Harsh Tone
• 4.5 Manifold Errors in the Translation of Public Signs
• 4.6 A Distinctive Error -- Nonstandard Naming
• 4.7 Summary -- Causes of Various Translation Errors
• Chapter Ⅴ Strategies for Translation of Public Signs
• 5.1 Strategies for Translation of Public Signs Following International Standard
• 5.1.1 Directing
• 5.1.2 Prompting
• 5.1.3 Restricting
• 5.1.4 Compelling
• 5.2 Strategies for Translation of Public Signs with Chinese Characteristics
• 5.2.1 Public Signs of Slogans and Banners with Chinese Characteristics
• 5.2.1.1 Literal Translation
• 5.2.1.2 Proper Addition or Omission
• 5.2.1.3 Inversion or Restructuring
• 5.2.1.4 Parody
• 5.2.2 Public Signs in Scenic Spots with Chinese Characteristics
• 5.2.2.1 Literal Translation
• 5.2.2.2 Liberal Translation
• 5.2.2.3 Adaptation
• 5.2.2.4 Pinyin Plus Liberal Translation
• 5.3 Strategies for Translation of Public Signs of Different Information States
• 5.3.1 Public Signs of Stative State
• 5.3.2 Public Signs of Dynamic State
• 5.3.2.1 Nouns and Gerunds
• 5.3.2.2 Polite Terms
• 5.3.2.3 Passive Voice
• 5.4 Some Other Strategies
• 5.4.1 No Translating for Some Occasions
• 5.4.2 Euphemistic Tone and Appropriate Mood
• 5.5 Establishing Supervision Organization
• 5.6 Summary
• Chapter Ⅵ Conclusion
• 6.1 Findings of the Thesis
• 6.2 Implication
• 6.3 Limitation
• 6.4 Further Study
• Bibliography
• Appendix