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1.Reasons for choosing this topic Public sign, as a special language, can be used in different public places. Public signs have three functions: guiding, warning, and limiting. Guangzhou, one of the biggest cities in China, has become a metropolis, which attracts people from different countries and regions. In recent years, a great number of international events have been held in Guangzhou such as 2010 Asian Games. However, a lot of translation mistakes can be found in the public places. The improper translations of public signs not only puzzle the foreigners, but also damage the image of Guangzhou.45302
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This paper analyzes the status quo of translation of public signs in Guangzhou. And then it makes a further study on translation strategies. This paper aims at urging the translators to be more responsive to the target audience’s feelings, to take the global language context more seriously, and to be more practical and creative in searching for solutions to existing problems. The paper also call on the Translators Association of China and other institutions to show concern on working together and taking actions to set up adequate information services in major cities in China.
In view of that there is no detailed report about the translations of public signs of Guangzhou, and the references just focus on the translations in subway or all around the country, this paper will analyze the status quo of translations of public signs in Guangzhou by collecting more data and information all around Guangzhou. Therefore, this paper has practical significance and it can help to boost the image of Guangzhou.
2. Literature review
(1)Current research
Nowadays, many scholars and professors have studied the status quo and strategies of city’s public signs.
For example, in May of 2006, Beijing International Studies University made an empirical research on the translations and service condition of public signs in our country. Then they published The report of C-E translation of signs in China. Before 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Beijing C-E translation of public signs (enforcement regulation) was drafted by foreign affairs office of people’s government in Beijing. In order to welcome the Asian Games, Guangdong government introduced the English Translation of Public Signs General Specifications, which gives the normative translations of public signs for transportation, tourism, sports stadiums and other public places. Some scholars also wrote papers on the translation of public signs in metro of Guangzhou.
Pragmatic Failures in C-E Translation of Signs and Reminders, written by Chen Shu-ying , was a contrastive analysis of the characteristics of English to Chinese signs and reminders. It discusses the pragmatic failures of C-E translation signs and reminders. The author argues that pragmalinguistic equivalence and sociopragmatic equivalence are two principles we should adhere to in C-E translation of signs and reminders. In The Status Quo and Communicative Translation Strategy of C-E translations of Public Signs by He xueyun, it analyzes the present situation and discusses the style of public signs, then puts forward some methods pertaining to the communicative translation strategy. The author thinks that when translating the public signs, the translator should be familiar with the functions of the signs as well as their language features, comprehend the cultural differences between Chinese and English signs.
The book Translation Theory and Practice, Chinese-English Translation of Signs by Lv He-fa and Wang Ying, introduces the basic knowledge and skills on translation of public signs. The book also explains the cultural connotation of public signs. It has high academic level.
(2)Further research
Though a great number of researches can be found about translations of public signs, few concern those in Guangzhou. This paper explores the status quo of translation of public signs in Guangzhou that foreigners often visit, and points out the mistakes in these translations with some case analysis, and tries to summarize the strategies of translation of public signs.