从功能主义理论和跨文化交际视角看汉语公示语的英译

论文摘要

随着中国对外开放的不断深入和加快,尤其是中国加入世界贸易组织以后,越来越多的外国友人和旅游者来中国进行商务投资,旅游观光和考察学习。为此,我们有必要在城市公共场所提供正确规范的英语公示语,以方便外国友人在华期间的工作、学习和生活。公示语的双语化不仅体现出我们对外国友人的人文关怀,同时有助于我国与世界的接轨和我国国际形象的提升。因此,公示语的汉英翻译具有重要意义,我们必须给予足够的关注。目前汉语公示语的英译质量不够理想,误译比比皆是。如何改正这些误译以及规范公示语的翻译实践已成为所有从事对外交流工作的翻译者的当务之急。本文旨在从功能主义理论和跨文化交际视角探讨汉语公示语的英译问题。功能主义理论要求译者明确翻译的目的和受众,跨文化交际理论要求译者关注中英两国文化的不同之处以及中英两种语言特点的不同之处。基于功能主义理论和跨文化交际的相关理论,本文认为汉语公示语英译的准则应是使目标读者能够准确和无障碍的理解原文所要表述的内容。本文尝试把功能主义理论和跨文化交际作为汉语公示语英译的理论指导。本文共有六章。第1章介绍本文的研究背景,研究必要性以及研究现状。第2章从公示语的定义着手,分析公示语的功能和文本特点。第3章首先回顾功能主义理论和跨文化交际理论的发展历史,提出将功能主义理论和跨文化交际理论作为汉语公示语英译的理论指导,并将汉语公示语的英译分为两大类,一类是通用公示语的英译,另一类是具有中国特色公示语的英译。第4章具体讨论了十类通用公示语的英译。这十类包括导向公示语,“不”字公示语,警示性公示语,公共提示公示语,行为举止公示语,行为步骤公示语,规则要求公示语,作息时间公示语,价格收费公示语,商店名称公示语。每一类公示语通过误例和范例来说明如何处理通用公示语英译的常见问题。第5章详细讨论了中国菜名和旅游景点牌示解说的英译,通过误例和范例讨论如何在功能主义理论和跨文化交际理论指导下处理具有中国特色公示语的英译。此外,作者还针对中国菜名和旅游景点牌示解说的翻译提出了相应的翻译技巧。第6章总结本文的主要内容,并针对本文的局限方面,提出进一步研究的建议。

论文目录

• Synopsis
• 摘要
• List of abbreviations
• Chapter 1 Introduction
• 1.1 Significance of this study
• 1.2 The necessity for C-E translation of PSs in China
• 1.2.1 The necessity for C-E translation of PSs:An economic perspective
• 1.2.2 The necessity for C-E translation of PSs:A tourist perspective
• 1.2.3 The necessity for C-E translation of PSs:Cultural and educational perspectives
• 1.2.4 The necessity for C-E translation of PSs:An Olympic perspective
• 1.3 Research on translation of PSs in China
• 1.3.1 Public opinions on translation of PSs in China
• 1.3.2 Academic researches on translation of PSs in China
• 1.3.3 Limitations of previous researches
• 1.4 Scope and objective of this study
• 1.5 Data collection and research methodology for this study
• 1.6 Organization of this thesis
• Chapter 2 A Brief Introduction to PSs
• 2.1 Definition of PSs in China
• 2.1.1 Definition of signs in English
• 2.1.2 Definition of PSs in Chinese
• 2.2 Indications of PSs
• 2.2.1 Static indication
• 2.2.2 Dynamic indication
• 2.3 Functional features of PSs
• 2.3.1 Directing function
• 2.3.2 Prompting function
• 2.3.3 Restricting function
• 2.3.4 Compelling function
• 2.4 Stylistic features of PSs
• 2.4.1 Nouns and noun phrases
• 2.4.2 Verbs and gerunds
• 2.4.3 Abbreviations
• 2.4.4 No use of the uncommonly used words
• 2.4.5 Combination of letters and pictures
• 2.4.6 Simple present tense
• 2.4.7 Imperative sentences
• 2.4.8 Standard and idiomatic phrases
• 2.4.9 Conciseness and directness
• 2.4.10 PSs with local characteristics
• Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework
• 3.1 Functionalism
• 3.1.1 A short history of functionalism
• 3.1.1.1 Katharina Reiss
• 3.1.1.2 Hans J.Vermeer
• 3.1.1.3 Justa Holz-Manttari
• 3.1.1.4 Christiane Nord
• 3.1.2 Basic terms related with functionalism
• 3.1.2.1 Definition of function
• 3.1.2.2 Definitions of initiator,translator,and receiver
• 3.1.3 Application of Skopostheorie to translation of PSs
• 3.2 IC
• 3.2.1 A short history of IC study
• 3.2.2 Basic terms related with IC
• 3.2.2.1 Definition of communication
• 3.2.2.2 Definition of culture
• 3.2.2.3 Definition of IC
• 3.2.3 Language and culture
• 3.2.3.1 Thinking patterns
• 3.2.3.2 Language barriers
• 3.2.3.3 Cultural context
• 3.2.4 Application of IC to translation of PSs
• 3.3 Classification of translation of PSs
• 3.3.1 Translation of universal PSs
• 3.3.2 Translation of PSs with Chinese characteristics
• Chapter 4 Translation of Universal PSs
• 4.1 Translation of directional PSs
• 4.1.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.1.2 Model versions
• 4.2 Translation of PSs beginning with "No"
• 4.2.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.2.2 The basic usage of PSs beginning with "No"
• 4.2.2.1 "No+noun"
• 4.2.2.2 "No+doing"
• 4.2.2.3 "No+noun/doing+allowed"
• 4.2.2.4 "No+noun/doing+to be done"
• 4.3 Translation of warning PSs
• 4.3.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.3.2 The basic usage of warning PSs
• 4.3.2.1 Warning PSs containing the word "caution"
• 4.3.2.2 Warning PSs containing the word "warning"
• 4.3.2.3 Warning PSs containing the word "emergency"
• 4.3.2.4 Warning PSs containing the word "danger"
• 4.3.2.5 Warning PSs containing the word "beware"
• 4.4 Translation of prompting PSs
• 4.4.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.4.2 Model versions
• 4.5 Translation of PSs for behavior
• 4.5.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.5.2 Model versions
• 4.5.2.1 PSs demanding certain ways of behavior
• 4.5.2.2 PSs prohibiting certain ways of behavior
• 4.5.2.3 PSs advocating certain ways of behavior
• 4.6 Translation of PSs for procedures
• 4.6.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.6.2 Model versions
• 4.7 Translation of PSs for regulations
• 4.7.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.7.2 Model versions
• 4.8 Translation of PSs for daily schedules
• 4.8.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.8.2 Model versions
• 4.9 Translation of PSs for prices and fees
• 4.9.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.9.2 Model versions
• 4.10 Translation of PSs for shop names
• 4.10.1 Mistranslated examples
• 4.10.2 Translation of PSs for shop names
• Chapter 5 Translation of PSs with Chinese Characteristics
• 5.1 Translation of PSs for names of Chinese dishes
• 5.1.1 Mistranslated examples
• 5.1.2 Translation of PSs for names of Chinese dishes
• 5.1.2.1 Examples of signs for names of Western dishes
• 5.1.2.2 Translation strategy for PSs for names of Chinese dishes
• 5.2 Translation of PSs giving introductions to scenic spots
• 5.2 1 Mistranslated examples
• 5.2.2 Model versions
• 5.2.3 Translation strategy for PSs giving introductions to scenic spots
• 5.2.3.1 Compensation
• 5.2.3.2 Pinyin plus free translation
• 5.2.3.3 Revision
• 5.2.3.3.1 Revision of sentence structure
• 5.2.3.3.2 Revision of style
• Chapter 6 Conclusion
• 6.1 A general summary
• 6.2 Limitations and suggestions
• Bibliography
• Acknowledgements