1、The Translation of Public Signs,小组成员： 张慧敏张居王灿张瑞华,Contents,Why should we translate the Public Signs correctly？,Public signs can bring convenience for these foreigners daily life; meantime it also can help them know better about China. If not correct, English translation of public signs can cause the
2、pragmatic failure and damage our international image. It may bring a lot of trouble.,Some funny examples,花草有生命，请勿采摘。,Please also have lives, no picking!,Plants also have lives, no picking.,Please,市民中心站,Shi Min Zhong Xin Zhan,Civil centre,高新技术产业园区,High-tech Industrial Pank,Pank,High-tech Industrial P
3、ark,Contents,1.Conciseness (形式简洁)Usually the readers just look at the board with signs quickly when they pass by, so the language on it need simple, a phrase or just a word is enough.,Language Features of Public Signs,examples,禁止吸烟A.“please do not smoking ?B. “No Smoking”,Open,正在营业 “we are on busine
4、ss”?,So we must remember keep as conciseness as possible principle when we translate some public signs.,2.Simple words (用词简洁)Due to the target reader always speed little time on reading the signs. So the meaning of the signs should be clear and easy for them to understand.,Language Features of Publi
5、c Signs,Examples,“严禁客货混装” A.“Dont put passengers and cargos together ?,B. “No Passengers on Trucks”,The sign are set for the public and many readers arent professional, therefore when translate sign, we should get the point directly and clearly and should not just talk around the bush.,3. Clearness
6、(释义清晰)If the English version is full of rare words and expression, it will cause a pragmatic failure of communication and even misunderstand for public signs.,Language Features of Public Signs,Examples,“景区坏境卫生，需要你的维护” A.“Environmental Sanitation of the Scenic Spot Need Your Conserve,B. “Keep Clear o
7、r No Littering”,So through the above we know if we want readers catch the meaning at first glance, we should use the concise, clear, simple words and expressions in CE translation of public signs.,Contents,1.Telltale Public Signs These signs can give us some useful messages without any restrict or m
8、andatory meaning. Example : 旅游者服务中心 Visitor Center 双向行驶 Two Way 单线行 One Way,The types of Public Signs,2.Instructional Public Signs These signs work only for hint role,without any refers to the significance, yet use very extensive. Example : 油漆未干 WET PAIN 售完 SOLD OUT 小心轻放 Handle With Care,The types o
9、f Public Signs,3.Restrictive Public Signs These signs propose restrictions to relevant public behavior, whos language should be straightforward, but wont make people feel tough or unreasonable. Example : 凭票入场 Ticket Only 60千米/时 60km/h (限速),The types of Public Signs,4.Mandatory Public Signs These sig
10、ns require the public thing must or not to take any action. languange should be straightforward without any negotiations. Example : 禁止驶入 No Entry 此处禁止钓鱼 No Fishing Here,The types of Public Signs,Contents,Tips for the Translation of Public Signs,1. As it needs simple, a phrase of words or verbs is en
11、ough.Look at the following example,although they are simple, the meaning is clear and concise. 登记入住 Check In 安全出口 Safety Exit,2. Using imperative sentences Because most of the public out are hurry, so public language uses lots of imperative. example: 请勿践踏草坪 Keep off The Grass Please 留意脚下 Watch the S
12、teps 请勿打扰 DONOT DISTURB,Tips for the Translation of Public Signs,3.Using precise wordingThe public language requirement is concise and precise. As long as it doesnt cause misunderstanding, only notional words, core vocabulary and keywords are enough, auxiliary function words and pronouns can be omit
13、ted. example : 洗车场 Washing Bay 非公莫入Staff only,Tips for the Translation of Public Signs,4.No uncommon vocabularySinse public language should seriously consider the cultural level of the public and tourists,so uncommon vocabulary,the archaism,the term and slang should be avoided.,Tips for the Translat
14、ion of Public Signs,5.cultural differencesconcern the core of culture: ways of life, values and ways of thinking and writing, which vary greatly from Chinese to English. Chinese is parataxis,while English is hypostasis. For example, the Chinese character “人” （“man”is its English meaning) seems like
15、a man standing on his two feet, and the character “雨”（“rain” is its English meaning）, the three dots in the character look like the drops.Distinctions can be illustrated in three aspects: different collocations, different perspectives and different word orders.,Tips for the Translation of Public Sig
16、ns,Attention, please!,Understanding is First,Translation itself is an understanding, an dual understanding,both mother language and foreign language. Signs on the translation, dual understanding. And it is understanding. Since mother understood, there is on foreign language understanding of the different sentence patterns. Sino-foreign, as well as the cultural differences, are warning us to examined conscientious translation,The End,Thanks for your watching!,
