Abstract With the rapid development of social economy, more and more foreigners came to China to for business and tourism。 A public sign serves as a guide in China。 Therefore, the C-E translation of public signs is of great importance。 However, a lot of mistakes in the translation of public signs lead to misunderstandings。 This article, based on Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory, discusses the problems in translating public signs and also attempts the approach to the translation of public signs, hoping to offer a ready help for foreign friends in Chinese cultural environment。79183

Key words: public signs; Functional Equivalence Theory; translation

摘要随着社会经济的快速发展，越来越多的外国商人和游客来中国做生意和旅游。公示语在中国随处可见。因此，公示语的汉英翻译尤为重要。但是，现在的公示语翻译中仍然存在很多错误，这些错误会导致人们的误解。本文会依据奈达的功能对等理论分析公示语中现存的问题并讨论公示语的翻译方法。希望能给来到中国的国外友人提供贴心的帮助。

毕业论文关键词：英语公示语；功能对等理论；翻译

Contents

1。  Introduction 1

2。  Literature Review 1

2。1 Previous studies of Functional Equivalence Theory 1

2。2 Previous studies of C-E public signs translation 2

3。  The Functions and Features of Public Signs 3

3。1 The functions of public signs 3

3。2 The features of public signs 3

4。  The Application of Functional Equivalence in Public Signs Translation 4

4。1 Common problems in C-E public signs translation 4

4。1。1 Pragmatic failures 5

4。1。2 Social pragmatic failures 5

4。2 Translation techniques for public signs 6

4。2。1 Being culture-oriented 6

4。2。2 Being information-oriented 7

4。2。3 Being communication-oriented 7

4。2。4 Being style-oriented 8

5。 Conclusion 8

Works Cited 10

1。 Introduction

As we all know that China has acquired remarkable achievements in people’s life since the great opening-up policy。 Today, different from before, people have lived in better lives。 After holding 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, China has left an intensive impression on people’s minds all over the world。 More and more foreigners choose to come to China for many reasons, such as traveling, studying, working and so on。 How could foreigners get something effective to guide them in China? It is of great significance to translate public signs around them。 When walking on the streets or traveling around cities, it is common to see the public signs are all around us, so we can say that public signs are the most commonly practical language in people’s life。 In order to help foreigners have a good understanding of Chinese culture and have a good journey in China, we have to put a high value on the translation of public signs。

In this thesis, Nida’s functional equivalence theory serves as the theoretical foundation。 The thesis consists of five chapters。 The first chapter offers a brief introduction on the wide use and great importance of public signs。 The second chapter shows the studies of the functional equivalence theory and the C-E translation of public signs in China。 The third chapter discusses the features of public signs, especially the functions and language features。 The fourth chapter analyzes the practical application of functional equivalence in translation。 which including the brief introduction on the Nida’s functional equivalence, discussion on the translation of public signs and ways to translate。 The fifth chapter draws a conclusion of the thesis that Nida’s functional equivalence theory is an appropriate guide for translators。 文献综述