Abstract

Public signs, as the calling card of a city, are associated with image, appearance and construction on an international level of it and the importance of public signs are very obvious. As the development of whole country is proceeding deeply and steadfastly, all aspects of our society are becoming more and more interested in the translation studies of public signs, especially the scholars of translation industry. Through the investigation and analyzation of its current status, it is clear that the main point is the mistake of Chinese-English translations of public signs. Jinan, the capital city of Shandong province, is striving to develop itself into an international metropolis under the development of China. However, according to the situation that City Jinan’s project of translations of public signs is far behind other Chinese first-tier cities with mistakes of many aspects, which originate from pinyin to grammar, and from Chinglish to cultural differences; on the basis of Jinan’s conditions, this paper aims at discussing the possible reasons of those mistakes and related countermeasures for translations of public signs through some certain flaws of them that are very close to our daily life with experiences from many sides. As a result, the translation of public signs in Jinan would be improved and so does the international image of this city.

Key Words: Jinan; public signs’ translation; the Skopos Theory; mistakes; 

  countermeasures

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One General Introduction1

Chapter Two The Theoretical Basis of Public Signs’ Translation.3

  2.1 General Introduction of the Skopos Theory.3

  2.2 The Instruction From the Skopos Theory to Translation of Public Signs..4

Chapter Three The Errors of Public Signs and Their Reasons in Jinan..5

  3.1 Types of Errors..5

 3.1.1 Inappropriate Use of Pin Yin5

 3.1.2 Grammar Problem..5

 3.1.3 Chinglish Problem..6

 3.1.4 Rough Translations’ Problem7

 3.1.5 Non-unified Translation’s Problem 7

 3.1.6 Inappropriate Tone Problem.7

 3.1.7 Wrong Spelling..8

  3.2 The Reasons for Errors8

 3.2.1 Inadequate Realization of Public Signs in English of Translators..9 

 3.2.2 Unqualified Abilities and Realization of Chinese Translators..9

 3.2.3 Irresponsibility of Public Signs’ Producers 9

 3.2.4 Lack of Official Monitoring Systems, Standards and Government 

Sectors.10

 3.2.5 Lack of Attention to Cultural Differences.10

Chapter Four Relevant Strategies Based on the Skopos Theory.11

  4.1 Technical Methods.11

 4.1.1 “Loan Translation”11

 4.1.2 Calque Translation12

 4.1.3 No-translation.12

 4.1.4 Translation by Drawings13

 4.1.5Improvement of Abilities13

  4.2 Government Moves 13

 4.2.1 Unified Administration.14

 4.2.2 Improvement of the Level of English Education for the Publc..14

 4.2.3 Integration of The Translation of Public Signs as A Part of English 

  Education14

 4.2.4 Creation of More Resources15 

 4.2.5 More Foreign Exchanges..15

Conclusion 17

Bibliography.18

Acknowledgements..20