On the Features, Functions and Translation Methods of Public Signs

滨江学院毕业论文题目On the Features, Functions and Translation Methodsof Public Signs院系外语系专业英语学生姓名钱雯雯学号20072310935指导老师夏杨称职讲师二Ｏ一一年五月二十日On the Features, Functions and Translation Methods ofPublic SignsBy Qian W enwenIn partial fulfillment of the requirementFor the B. A. degreeDepartment of EnglishBinjiang CollegeNanjing University of Information Science and TechnologyMay, 2011AcknowledgementsI would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis.My deepest gratitude goes first and foremost to my supervisor Xia Y ang, for his valuable suggestions and constant encouragement in the academic studies. I do appreciate her patience and professional instructions during my thesis writing.Second, I am also greatly indebted to the professors and teachers at the Department of English, from whose devoted teaching and enlightening lectures I have benefited a lot and academically prepared for the thesis.Third, I owe much to my friends and classmates for their valuable suggestions and critiques which are of help and importance in making the thesis a reality.Last but not least, I would like to ex press my gratitude to my beloved parents who have always been helping me out of difficulties and supporting without a word of complaint.Contents Abstract (1)摘要 (1)1.Introduction (1)1.1 Definition of Public Signs (2)1.2 Applied range and significance of Public Signs (2)1.3 Current Situation and Existent Problems of Public Signs (3)2. The Functions and Features of Public Signs (4)2.1 Functions (4)2.1.1 Function of Directing (4)2.1.2 Function of Prompting (4)2.1.3 Function of Restricting (4)2.1.4 Function of Compelling (5)2.2 Features (5)2.2.1 Extensive Use of Nouns, V erbs and Gerunds (5)2.2.2 Use of Phrases and Abbreviations (6)2.2.3 Combination of Written Words with Pictures (6)2.2.4 Use of Present Tense (7)2.2.5 Use of Imperative Sentences (8)2.2.6 No Uncommon Words (8)2.2.7 Conciseness and Accuracy of Public Signs (8)3. Translation Methods of Public Signs (8)3.1 Following Established Translation (8)3.1.1 Established Translation of Road and Street (9)3.1.2 Established Translation of Business and Service Industry (9)3.1.3 The Principle of Consistency (9)3.1.3.1 Consisting with the International Idiomatic Public Signs ofEnglish (9)3.1.3.2 Consisting with the Fixed Translation (10)3.1.3.3 Consisting with the Official Websites and AuthoritativeDictionaries or Newspapers (10)3.2 Adding and Omitting (11)3.3 Literal and Free Translation (11)4. Typical Errors and Solutions (12)4.1 Collection of some Typical Errors (12)4.1.1 Errors of non-standard writing (12)4.1.2 Errors of non-standard grammar (12)4.1.3 Errors of “Interpret without Real U nderstanding” (13)4.1.4 Errors of ignoring the cultural differences (13)4.1.5 Errors of violating the established usage (14)4.2 Causes of Errors in Translation (14)4.2.1 Chinglish (14)4.2.2 Inappropriate Wording (15)4.2.3 Lack in the Knowledge of Public Signs (15)4.3 Possible Solutions (15)4.3.1 Pay attention to cross-cultural awareness (15)4.3.2 Analyze the context of words and avoid Chinglish (16)4.3.3 Strive to be easy-to-understand (16)5. Conclusion (16)References (17)On the Features, Functions and Translation Methods ofPublic SignsQian WenwenDepartment of EnglishSchool of Language and CultureNanjing University of Information Science and TechnologyAbstract：Public signs are widely used in our daily lives and essential to the public and tourists. However, there are many wrongly used public signs around us. Any abuse or ambiguity of public signs will cause undesirable consequences. This paper discusses public signs from Definition, Applied Range, Significance, Current Situation and Existent Problems. Directing, Prompting, Restricting and Compelling are four of their most important functions; Extensive use of Noun, V erb and Gerund, Use of Phrase and Abbreviation, Combination of Written Words with Pictures, Use of Present Tense, Use of Imperative Sentence, No Uncommon Words, Conciseness and Accuracy of Public Signs are their outstanding features of public signs. This paper also probes into its translation methods after analyzing its functions and features, in order to shed light on our understanding and translation of public signs.Key Words: public signs; functions; features; translation methods摘要：公示语广泛应用于我们生活的方方面面，对公众和游客至关重要。

然而，我们周围存在许多错误使用的公示语。

任何滥用或歧义都会导致不良的后果。

本文根据公示语的定义、应用范围和意义及现状和存在的问题对其做介绍。