Abstract

With the prosperity of tourism industry in China and rapid development of cross-cultural communication among different countries in recent years, bilingual public signs are more frequently used in China’s famous scenic spots. These signs intend to provide convenience and help to international tourists, and regulate tourists’ behavior for the sake of their safety and the protection of public facilities in scenic spots. However, the present situation of the bilingual public signs in China is not very satisfactory. There exist various kinds of errors in their translated versions. Some of them have caused innumerable misunderstandings to international tourists, and some even fail to express a complete meaning. The purpose of this thesis is not only to help solve the translation problems of public signs in China’s scenic spots, but also render the public to realize the seriousness of these problems and offer their support for the correction of bilingual public signs in China.

By analyzing the samples either collected by the author herself or from other sources, the author concludes the types of translation errors of public signs as well as reasons leading to them. Besides, the author further puts forward workable solutions to these problems, including translation strategies which should be applied to the translation of public signs and what roles the translator, competent authorities and target readers should play. 

Key Words: translation errors     public signs in scenic spots     solutions

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter I Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Research-1

1.2 Significance of the Research-2

1.3 Data Collection-3

1.4 Overall Structure of the Paper-3

Chapter II Overview of Public Signs in Scenic Spots-4

2.1 Definitions of Pubic Signs-4

2.2 Functions of Public Signs in Scenic Spots-4

2.2.1 Directing-5

2.2.2 Prompting-5

2.2.3 Restricting-5

2.2.4 Compelling-6

2.2.5 Introducing-6

2.3 Linguistic Features of English Public Signs in Scenic Spots-7

2.3.1 Common and Notional Words-8

2.3.2 Abundant Phrasal Structures-9

2.3.3 Concise Sentences-9

Chapter III The Translation Errors of Chinese Public Signs in Scenic Spots-11

3.1 Problems on Linguistic Level-11

3.1.1 Misspelling-11

3.1.2 Lexical Errors-12

3.1. 3 Grammatical Errors-13

3.1.4 Redundancy-14

3.2 Problems on Cultural on Level-15

3.2.1 Conflict in Semantic Association-15

3.2.2 Improper Tone-16

Chapter IV Causes of the Mistranslations of Chinese Public Signs in Scenic Spots-18

4.1 Negligence of the Translator and Sign Maker-18

4.2 Overuse of Translation Software-18

4.3 Language Differences-19

4.4 Cultural Differences-19

Chapter V Solutions to the Translation Problems of Chinese Public Signs in Scenic Spots-21

5.1 Translation Strategies for Chinese Public Signs in Scenic Spots-21

5.1.1 Borrowing-21

5.1.2 Partly Substituting-22

5.1.3 Explaining-22

5.2 Different Roles in the C-E Translation of Public Signs in Scenic Spots-23

5.2.1 Role of the Sign Writers-24

5.2.2 Role of the Translators-24

5.2.3 Role of the Competent Authorities-26

5.2.4 Role of the Target Readers-26

Chapter VI Conclusion-28

References-30