Lecture 8 公示语翻译

巩固形象
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服务社会
为改善北京的空气质量，本车安装有环保 引擎 This bus is fitted with an environmentally cleaner engine helping to improve Beijing‟s air quality. 共同努力，世界更精彩 Working together, we can make a world of difference.

提供服务

免税店 Duty Free 旅游纪念品 Souvenirs

加深理解
安全无事故车站 accredited as a Secure Station 您的安全 我们的天责 YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY


促进行动
进门赢大奖 COME IN AND WIN 厂家特价直销 DEAL DIRECT WITH MANUFACTURER AT SPECIAL PRICES 八折优惠 20% Off 当日可取 Daily Service
Traveling Signs




Three Pool Mirroring the Moon三潭印月 World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site世界 自然与文化遗产 Green Treasury and Natural Zoo天然动植物 标本园 Underground Passage 地下通道 Dead End 禁止通行
e.g. 7 Mixed use of Chinese and English
e.g. 8 Word order
Chinese Incorrect order Correct order
高新技术 园区
High and New Technology Zone
New and High Technology Zone


A notice that is publicly displayed giving information or instruction in a written or symbolic form.-- New Oxford Dictionary of English (2001). A board, poster, or placard displayed in a public place to advertise or to convey information or a direction. --The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language(2003)
四、公示语的示意功能

指示性Directing （static)

票务与旅游中心 Ticket & Travel Centre 地铁 Underground 行人 Pedestrians 公共厕所 Public Toilet 问询服务 Information 婴儿换巾处 Baby Change

静态意义：提供信息



出口 Way Out 新鲜果蔬 Fresh Produce 国际出发 International Departure 大英博物馆 The British Museum

动态意义：告知、展现、指示



请勿与司机攀谈 Do not speak to the driver 仅限紧急情况下使用 Emergency Use Only 严禁停车 No stopping at any time 紧握扶手 Hold the Hand Rail
Translation of Generic Varieties
Lecture 8
Public Signs
一、定义



公示语：公开和面对公众，告示、指示、提示、显示、 警示、标示与其生活、生产、生命、生态、生业休戚相 关的文字及图形信息。 --《汉英公示语词典》，商 务印书馆，2002 A board or other notice giving information, warning, direction, and etc. --Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (1978) A board, notice, and etc. that directs somebody towards something, gives a warning, advertises a business. --Oxford Advanced Learner’s EnglishChinese Dictionary (1997)
e.g. 4 Word for word rendering
e.g. 5 Word for word rendering
e.g. 6 Incomprehensible


一次性用品 A TIME SEXห้องสมุดไป่ตู้THING 乘梯须知 MULTIPLY BY STEPS BEARD KNOW 红眼病监测站Disease of jealousy inspection station
Public Slogans


Power to the people 一切权力归人民 Say No to Drug and Protect Your Life 拒绝毒 品珍爱生命 One World One Dream 同一个世界，同一个 梦想
七、公示语的翻译现状
七、公示语的翻译现状
受访者对中国英语公示语的认可度
11. Omitting




患心脏病、高血压、酗酒者忌座”. Anyone who with heart disease, high blood, please don‟t get on. No recommendation for people suffering from heart diseases, high blood pressure or the effects of over drinking. 肇庆市公安局报警中心 Zhaoqing City Center of Reporting to the Police Police Report Center (of Zhaoqing City)


防范犯罪
警示他人，迅速撤离 Warn others. Move away. 盗贼当心 Thieves Beware

六、公示语的种类

Shopping Signs



Under Construction Temporarily Closed.内部施工， 暂停开放 No Refund, No Exchange票已售出，概不退换 Souvenir Shop 旅游纪念品商店 Deal Direct with Manufacturer at Special Price厂 家特价直销 20% off八折优惠
经济开发 区
钢铁厂
Economic Open Region
Steel and Iron Factory Haier Unit Kitchen
Open Economic Regions
Iron and Steel Factory Haier Kitchen Unit
海尔整体 厨房
e.g. 9 Misspelled English Words

尽量使用缩略语


停车场 P 厕所 WC

选词尽量浅显易懂


留学生公寓 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HOUSE 全自动门 Automatic Door

简洁语汇 精确措辞


送客止步 Passengers Only 边道封闭 Footpath Closed
三、公示语信息的静态和动态意义
施工现场 禁止入内Construction Site keep Out 抱好犬只 Dogs must be carried 勿靠两侧 keep clear of the edges 残疾人通道 Handicapped Only


强制性Compelling (dynamic)

二、公示语的语言风格

大量使用名词

售票机 Ticket Machines 注意行人 Caution Pedestrians

多用祈使句


保持通畅 KEEP CLEAR 请小心台阶 PLEASE MIND YOUR STEPS

尽量使用词组、短语

因故停用 Out of Order 短时停车 Short stay
Traffic Signs


Bend Ahead. Slow Down! 前方弯路慢行 Slow down, Look around, and Cross 一慢二 看三通过 Speed Limit, 30 km/h 限速：每小时30公里
Institution Names


Ministry of Land and Resource 国土资源部 Department of Justice司法厅 Commission of Limitative Affairs 法制工作委 员会 Chinese Academy of Social Science 中国社 会科学院
30 25 20 15 10 5 0 非常 有 没有 帮助程度
中外关注的错误类型对比
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 胡译 表达 过度 拼写 中国 外国
八、公示语翻译失误实例
e.g. 1 Misguiding
e.g. 2 Misunderstanding
e.g. 3 Misunderstanding

提示性Prompting (dynamic)
限高3.3米RESTRICTED HEIGHT 3.3M 请勿践踏草坪Please Keep Off the Grass 请右侧站立 Please stand on the right 请此处交款 Please pay here


限制性Restricting (dynamic)
警戒线 勿超越Police Line Do Not Cross 严禁拍照 No Photography 禁止通行 Don‟t Walk 禁酒区 Alcohol Free Zone 禁止导游讲解 NO BRIEFING OF GROUPS
五、公示语的特定功能

引发兴趣


装修前大甩卖CLOSING DOWN FOR MODERNIZATION 最后机会 Last Chance to Buy
e.g. 12 Failures on Principles of Politeness


旅客登记时，须凭足以证明本人身份的有效证件， 并说明住宿原因。旅客必须遵守宾馆饭店的规章 制度，服从工作人员的管理，爱护饭店的公共财 物。对违反上述规定的旅客，饭店有权责成改正。 Guests are requested to show their own valid papers to prove their identities and to tell the reason for lodging when they cheek in at the hotel. Every guest has the obligation to abide by the rules and regulations of the hotel, cooperate with the personnel in carrying out their duties and take care of the property in the hotel. The authority of the hotel has the right to reason with anyone who has violated the regulations mentioned above.
Names of Places



锦江乐园Jinjiang Amusement Park 静安新城 Jing‟an New City 南京东路East Nangjing Road 北三环 North Third Ring 玉佛寺Jade Buddha Temple 三元桥 Sanyuan Overpass
e.g.10 Misunderstanding the Source or Target Language




城门四面开，丝路今胜昔 With city gate wide open, the Silk Road is much better than old days. Open to the outside world every way, Xi‟an is becoming better 前方修路，谨慎驾驶 Road Work Ahead