公示语英译汉

英语常用告示语Common Signs and Short Notices in EnglishI．Road and Traffic 公路和交通Approaching end of motorway 即将驶出高速。

Avoid the jams. 避免交通堵塞。

Dangerous bend 弯道危险Diverted traffic 交叉路口Entry to motorway 高速入口Left junction 左交叉口Look left (right) 向左（右）看。

Low bridge ahead 前方桥低。

New hours of parking control 停车控制新时段No entry 禁止驶人No stopping at any time 任何时间不准停车No thoroughfare 禁止通行No trade or business vehicle unless authorized 未经允许货车禁止通行。

Pedestrian crossing ahead 注意前方人行横道。

Pedestrian crossing 人行横道Please drive carefully 请小心驾驶。

Road closed 此路封闭Slow，school 前方学校请慢行。

Speed limit of 48kmh 限速每小时48公里The law requires you wear a seatbelt 法规要求系安全带。

This vehicle stops frequently 随时停车II．Car and Parking 汽车和停车Car park front and rear.前后停车Cars parked here without permission will be clamped 未经允许在此停车将被拖走Guest’s car park 来客停车场Limited parking 停车位有限No parking constantly in use 此处经常使用，禁止停车。

– 送客止步 Passengers Only – 边道封闭 Footpath Closed
公示语汉英翻译的原则
在公示语功能特色和语言风格的基础上， 刘法公（2008）以纽马克的文本分类作为理 论依据，试提出公示语汉英翻译三原则：统 一（consistency）、简洁（conciseness）和 易懂（comprehensibility）。这三个翻译标 准基本上能反映公示语独特的社会功能和语 言特征，能满足公示语汉英翻译标准问题的 特殊需要。
Out-Patient Department Stamp Vending Machine Take Away Service Available Baby Chang失物品 店方概不负责 Management nor responsible for articles lost or stolen;
高教园区：Higher Education Zone
杭州高新技术开发区 原译：High and New Technology Development Region “杭州高新技术开发区”的原译有两个问题：第一，把“高 新技术”对号入座地译成了“High and New Technology”是不 查辞典想当然的结果。第二，将“开发区”译为 “Development Region”，也不正确。美国的Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language (Second College Edition)给region和zone两个词的解释是：region，“an administrative division of a country (某一国家的行政区)”，如 “香港特别行政区”的英语就是“Hongkong Special Administrative Region”，简称Hongkong SAR；“澳门特别行 政区”的英语也是“Macao Special Administrative Region”， 简称Macao SAR；zone，“any area or region considered as separate or distinct from others because of its particular use…”。 显然，zone是指“有特殊用途并与其它区域分开或不同的区 域”，如：Cotton zone (种棉区)，non-military zone (非军事 区) 等。所以，“开发区”应译为“Development Zone”。

1.IN 向内2.OUT 向外3.ENTRANCE 入口4.EXIT 出口5.DOMESTIC ARRIV ALS (DEPARTURES) 国内航班抵达（出站）6.INTERNATIONAL ARRIV ALS(DEPARTURES) 国际航班抵达（出站）7.BAGGAGE CHECK-IN 行李登记8.CUSTOMS海关9.SECURITY CHECK安全检查10.BAGGAE CLAIM行李认领11.TRANSIT PASSENGERS过境旅客12.NO PARKING DAY OR NIGHT 昼夜禁止停车13.NO PARKING IN DRIVEW AY 机动车道禁止停车14.AUTHORIZED CARS ONL Y 专用停车位15.VEHICULAR ENTRY车辆入口16.TRAFFIC ISLAND 交通岛（转盘）17.ONE LANE BRIDGE 单道桥18.FORM ONE LANE’并道19.STEEP DESCENT陡坡慢行20.STEEP CLIMB陡坡慢行21.DIP下山22.GRA V AL ROAD 砾石路23.NO OVERTAKING ON BRIDGE 桥上禁止超车24.NO U TURN 禁止掉头25.NO RIGHT TURN 禁止右转弯26.STOP HERE ON RED SIGNAL 红灯停车27.DETOUR AHEAD 绕路向前28.NO THOROUGHFARE 禁止通行29.NO THROUGH ROAD 此路不通30.PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AHEAD 注意前方人行道31.PLEASE PAY CONDUCTOR 请向买票人付费32.DO NOT SPEAK TO THE DRIVER WHILE THE BUS IS IN MOTION33.PULL SIGNAL CORD ONCE WHEN APPROACHING THE STOP REQUIRED34.RIDING ON PLATFORM PROHIBITED 严禁站台汽车35.PLEASE PAY DRIVER 请向驾驶员付费37.PLEASE PAY DRIVER 请向司机付费38. STAND CLEAR INW ARD OPENING DOOR 车门向内开请勿靠近39.PAY THE CORRECT FARE 正确付费40.THERE ARE SEVERE PEALTIES FOR FARE EA VSION 逃避买票将受到惩罚41.STA TE YOUR DESTINA TION WHEN PAYING YOUR FARE买票时请说明你的目的地42.PLEASE VACA TE THIS SEA T FOR A DISABLED PERSON IF REQUIRED请主动给残疾人让座42BOTTLE SHOP 瓶装酒经销店43BOTTLE SERVICE 瓶装酒经销店44BOTTLE SALES 瓶装酒经销店45LIQUOR SHOP 白酒商店46DOLLAR BOOKSHOP 一元书店47DISPOSAL SHOP 清仓处理店48DUTY FREE SHOP 免税商店49USED CAR DEALER 二手车经销商50PREOWNED CAR BROKER 旧车转让中间商51X GOERMENT CARS FOR SALE52BUTCHER 肉店53BUTCHERY 肉店54REAL ESTATE AGENTS 房产中介55PAWN BROKER 典当行56MONEY LENDER 放款人57HAIR SALON 发廊58HAIRDRESSING SALON 美发厅59BARBER 理发店60HAIR STYLISTS 美发屋61BEAUTY PARLOR 美容院62WATCHMAKER: QUALITY REPAIR 钟表精修63FUNERAL DIRECTORS 殡仪员64MOTOR FUNERALS 丧葬车出租店65DRUM CITY—EVERYTHING MUSICAL 鼓城乐器大全66LOCKSMITH 锁店67FURNITURE CENTRE 家具城68DOG SHOP 养狗用品商店69TOY FISHERIES 渔具店70AUTO SERVICES 汽车维修71QUALITY BODY BEATING 车身精修72SALE PRICE 特价73CRAZY PRICE 疯狂大减价74TERRIFIC VALUE 超值商品75SPECIAL BUY 大甩卖76INSTANT REPAIR 立等可取77REPAIR WHILE U WAIT 即时修理立等可取78SAME DAY SERVICE 当日维修服务79HOURS FOR OPENNG AND CLOSING 开放时间80DISCOUNT 折扣店81NOT FOR SALE 非卖品82SELF-SERVICE 自助83OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 每周七天开放84CUSTOMERS PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ENTERING THIS AREA 顾客请止步85NOT FOOD OR DRINKS TO BE BROUGHT IN SHOP 请不要把饮食带入商店86UNATTENEDED CHILDREN NOT ALLOWED IN SHOP 无人照顾儿童谢绝进入商场87COME ON IN 顾客请进88COME ON OUT 请出来89COME ON DOWN 顾客请上楼90FEEL FREE TO BROWSE AROUNDYOU’RE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO BUY 只许参观浏览不许购买94. THANK YOUR FOR YOUR CUSTOM 感谢惠顾95. DO NOT LITTER无乱扔杂物97. PLEASE KEEP THIS SITE BEAUTIFUL 请保持清洁98. TAKE YOUR LITTER WITH YOU 请带走你的垃圾99. PULLTION IS A MENACE TO US ALL 污染对人人有害100. PLEASE DO NOT THROW PLASTIC AND PAPER RUBBISH INTO THIS RIVER.请勿往河里投掷垃圾101 FIRE CAN BE DANGEROUS 火灾危险102 PLEASE DON’T DROP LIGHTED CIGARETTES AND MA TCHES 禁止烟火103 NO RUNNING (ROUGH PLAY /SWEARING/CHEWING GUM/GLASS BOTTLES/DOGS OR ALCHOHOL) ALLOWED 请不要跑/大闹/骂人/吃口香糖/104 . PRIV ATE PROPERTY KEEP OUTTRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED 私人住宅请勿入内闯入者将法办105 THS AREA IS OPEN FOR INSPECTION ONL Y 此区在检查时开放106 PLEASE STOP请止步NO ENTRANCE禁止入内107 STAFFF ONL Y员工通道108 PRIV ATE 私人专用109 THE SALES SECTION STOPS HERE 非营业区110 ADMITTANCE TO THIS AREA IS PROHIBITED 禁止入内111 NO ADMITTANCE 闲人免进112 POSITIVELY NO ADMITTANCE 严禁入内113 TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE RAIL 请勿扶栏杆114 THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING 请勿吸烟115 DO NOT PROCEED BEYONG RAIL 请勿翻越栏杆116 ANY DAMAGES OR BREAKEAGES MUST BE PAID FOR 损坏东西必须赔偿117 IF IT BREAKS WE CONSIDER IT SOLD TO YOU 若有破损请负责赔偿118 LOOK WITH YOUR EYES PLEASE DON’T TOUCH 请勿动手触摸119 PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE NOT PERMITTED 不准在古旧的政府大楼内拍照120 NO ENTRY BY THIS DOOR 请勿走此门121 PLEASE DO NOT LEA VE YOUR BELONGINGS HERE. 请勿放置个人物品122 THE MAAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRY 管理人员有权谢绝入内123PLEASE PUT ALL CARDS IN SHUTE SIT DOWN UNTIL CALLED 请用病例排队124NEXT TELLER PLEASE 请到其他窗口办理125ISSUE OF LOANS 发放贷款126RETURN OF LOANS 借款的偿付。

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
钢铁厂
Steel and Iron Factory
Iron and Steel Factory
海尔整体 Haier Unit
厨房
Kitchen
Haier Kitchen Unit
e.g. 9 Misspelled English Words
e.g.10 Misunderstanding the Source or Target Language
❏ 共同努力，世界更精彩Working together, we can make a world of difference.
■ 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
四、公示语的示意功能
■ 强制性Compelling (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
11. Omitting
■ 患心脏病、高血压、酗酒者忌座”. ■ Anyone who with heart disease, high blood, please

校园英语 /浅析公示语的汉译英郑州铁路职业技术学院/王晓靖【摘要】公示语作为向大众传达信息的标语，必须要传递信息明确、易于被大众理解和具有较强的可接受性。

公示语的英译问题也是受到各类学者的关注，现有公示语翻译方式五花八门，究竟如何翻译，也是学者一直探讨的问题，本文将从公示语翻译存在的问题和翻译方法两方面浅析公示语的翻译。

【关键词】公示语翻译 问题 方法吕和发作为公示语的研究专家认为，公示语就是采用告示、提示、指示、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传递相应的信息给大众。

公示语尽管与标识语、标志语、标示语三者之间有着共同点，但是其应用范围更加的广泛，公示语的研究范围主要涉及到衣食住行以及娱乐等等基本需求，针对的对象主要是旅游者、海外游客、驻华外籍人士、在外旅游经商的中国公民等。

公示语的翻译首先需要关注的就是公示语的真实用途以及目的，然后选择合适的方式进行翻译，语言方面并不一定就需要完全一致，但是其所表达的功能以及作用必须要达到，不能出现华而不实的现象。

一、公示语汉译英存在的问题公示语就是在公共场合警示公众的平面语言，应用范围十分广泛，其宣传力量十分的强大。

但是在现实生活中，公示语的翻译不仅仅造成了公示语效能的丧失，同时还闹出了许多的笑话，严重影响了信息的传递以及交流，造成了很多恶劣的影响。

通过分析比较，笔者认为公示语的翻译存在着以下的几点问题。

1.拼写错误，书写不规范。

公示语在进行翻译的过程中，出现了许多低级错误，最常见的就是单词的拼写或者漏写等情况。

例如成都的火车站以及汽车站就出现了这样让人啼笑皆非场景，直接使用汉语拼音代替英语，“QINGWUSUIDITUTAN”就是表示“请勿随地吐痰”，这样的双语标识不用说外国人看不懂了，就连中国人都感到尴尬，如果不会使用还不如不用。

2.词汇使用不当。

公示语的词语使用情况不当，断章取义，没有清楚的表达出该类标志需要表达的含义。

向导提示信息一般由指示方向的箭头加上所提示的服务、 功能设施，或实体名称，或某个地点等构成。
其通常用于指明方向，如果这类标识语的翻译五花八门， 很容易让人失去方向，尤其对于不熟悉当地的外国友人。例 如光谷广场：车厢内的标识是 Optics Valley Square，候车处的 标识是 Guanggu Square。为了去除混乱，方便外国友人的出 行，这类标语必须统一。故 Optics Valley Square 比 Guanggu Square 要好。这一表达不仅方便与外国友人，更有助于光谷 走向世界。
在翻译站名时运用“专名音译，通名意译”的原则，那么为了
统一规范，站名的大小写也可以运用此原则，即专名只有第一个
词的首字母大写，其它全部小写，通名则每个词的首字母大写，
其它全部小写。例如：新荣为 Xinrong，利济北路为 Liji North Rd.
2 轻轨地铁上公示语存在的问题及解决方案建议
2.1 向导类公示语错误
外|语|教|学
武汉轨道交通英文站名、公示语英译及其他
林倩刘克
（湖北大学知行学院 湖北·武汉 430000）
摘 要 在充分的调查武汉市轨道交通英文站名和公示语的基础上，本文分析了所获得的一手资料，总结出几种翻译
的典型错误及不妥之处。
关键词 站名 规范性 汉英翻译 统一性
中图分类号：H315.9
文献标识码：A
toudaojie头道街street街小区estate徐州新村xuzhouxincunxuzhounewestatechangqingestatechangqinghuayuan常青花园garden花园xx方向方向词翻译xx利济北路lijibeilulijinorthrdgutian1strdgutianyilu古田一路xx序数词xx序数词122站名大小写原则在翻译站名时运用专名音译通名意译的原则那么为了统一规范站名的大小写也可以运用此原则即专名只有第一个词的首字母大写其它全部小写通名则每个词的首字母大写其它全部小写

酒店常用公示语英译汇编得益于我省瑰丽险峻的巴蜀风和博大奇绝的巴蜀文化以及国家西部大开发战略，我省现已成为世界知名的中国西部经济文化强省。

在国际政治活动和经济浪潮中，我省正扮演着中国西部强省和国际化程度最高的省份。

随着我省对外开放和国际合作的力度加大，越来越多的外国朋友来到四川、了解四川、融入四川、为四川的经济建设和城市化进程贡献自己的力量。

近年来，四川在中国西部的地位日趋突出。

中国西部博览会，世界财富论坛、世界华商大会等重大国际活动在蓉举行。

在世界500强中，到2013年7月止，就有251家落户四川。

外商投资实际到位稳居中西部第一，总量占西部三分之一。

根据四川省人民政府统计数据，2011年，我省接待入境旅游者164万人次，实现旅游外汇收入5.94亿美元，分别比上年增长55.9%和67.8%。

为了更好地接待好来川旅游和工作的外国人士，我省加强了对涉外接待的基础设施建设。

截至2013年7月，四川省建有星级饭店519家(其中五星级22家)。

我省酒店的国际化水平也随我省对外交往活动的增加而迅速提高，在成都和其它中等城市酒店的英汉双语的公示语随处可见。

而公示语作者们的英语造诣参差不齐，没有固定的监督审查部门，难免问题层出不穷，且不能得到及时纠正，甚至有时也误导了社会大众的英语学习和应用。

要把公众场所的公示语翻译成地道的英语公示语，需要收集整理大量的英语国家原汁原味的，“原生态”公示语作为参考，采用“拿来主义”或仿译，或创译等方法方能实现。

值得欣喜的是，四川省旅游局领导们高瞻远瞩，对我省星级酒店的公示语翻译十分重视，委托四川省外语专家学者对我省酒店的公示语进行梳理、翻译，编制出《四川省星级饭店公示语英译汇编》，供我省星级饭店制作或修订饭店公示语时参考使用。

二、酒店外围及周边区域三、酒店大门区域七、酒店部门十、酒店人员称谓。

４ ． 结语 公示 语属 于实用 文体的 一种 ， 而且公示 语 的翻译 是近 几 年来 才兴
起， 尤 其是在北 京奥运 会之 后才开始受 到重视 的， 所 以针对公示语 翻译 策略 、 原则和方 法的研究 还属初 级阶段 。 我国方 方面面的公示语繁 多庞 杂， 怎样 有效 规范地翻译 它们还 需进行深入 的探索。
公示语 的翻译 Ｅ ｌ 益广泛 ， 措辞 精 确 ， 仅使 用实词 、 关键 词 、 核心词汇 ， 而冠 词、 代词 、 助动 词等 步 规 范和深入研究。 本文仅就对外宣传中 公示语翻译 的注意点作 以阐述。 都可省略 。 如公 安局报警 中心的译成 Ｃ ｉ ｔ ｙ Ｃ ｅ ｎ ｔ ｅ ｒ ｏ ｆ Ｒ ｅ ｐ ｏ ｒ ｔ ｉ ｎ ｇ ｔ ｏ 【 关键词】 公示语 ； 翻译 ； 注意点 ｔ ｈ ｅ Ｐ ｏ ｌ ｉ ｃ ｅ 。 该公示 语指 示人们在紧 急情况下 向哪里 求助 ， 但 该译 文拖 泥带水 ， 把 关键 词 “ ｐ ｏ ｌ ｉ ｃ ｅ ” 放 在 了句末 ， 大 大削弱 了视 觉效 果 。 此公示 语可参见 “ 报案 中心 的译： ￣ Ｐ ｏ ｌ ｉ ｃ ｅ Ｒ ｅ ｐ ｏ ｒ ｔ Ｃ ｅ ｎ ｔ ｅ ｒ 。 运用 “ 简洁 原则， １ ． 前言 公示 语是 应用范围涉及 生活面广 公示语翻译直 接反映 一个 国家 国 我们可把 “ 市公安局 报警 中心” 改译为 ： Ｃ ｉ ｔ ｙ Ｐ ｏ ｌ ｉ ｃ ｅ Ｒ ｅ ｐ ｏ ｒ ｔ Ｃ ｅ ｎ ｔ ｒ ｅ 。 际化 水平的高 低 ， 直接 影响 国际交流 的效 果 。 因此 ， 外宣公 示语 翻译应 这个译名 比原译 中的动词词 组ｒ ｅ ｐ ｏ ｒ ｔ ｔ ｏ ｔ ｈ ｅ ｐ ｏ ｌ ｉ ｃ ｅ 简洁， 开头 的名词 该受 到高度 的重视 。 但 遗憾 的是， 由于 缺乏对双 语公示 语足够重 视和规 ｐ ｏ ｌ ｉ ｃ ｅ 赫然入 目， 给急于找 地方报 案的人 指明了方 向。 范管 理 ， 以及 公示语 翻译 研 究 的滞后 等原因 ， 错译、 乱译 等现象 比比皆 再如 ， 公示语 “ 只需寸草心 ， 即得三春 晖 是 经常可以在草坪上看到 是。 已经成 为一种众 所周知 的诟病 或话 题 ， 不仅有损 我们 自身的形象 ， 的公示语 ， 目的是提 醒人们要爱 护小草 。 在翻译 这个公示语 时就 没有必 也 影响国际间的 沟通和合作 。 要 想规范 双语公示 语， 首先就要解 决如何 要完全对应 的去翻译 ， 可 以简单译成Ｋ ｅ ｅ ｐ ｆｆ ｏ ｔ ｈ ｅ ｇ ｒ ａ ｓ ｓ ， 这样 一 目了 然， 也起 到了提 示的作用。 规范公示语 的翻译 。 在译 出语 中很难 找到 与源语相对 应的 词语 ， 这 时， 就 可以不译 。 如 ２ ． 公示语特点 （ １ ） 文字 与图形 标志共用 “ 持本人有 效证件 的离 休人员免票 。 １ ． ２ 米（ 含） 以下儿童 免费。 在西方 公示 语在多数公共 场所 常常与醒 目的图形标志共 同使 用， 图形标志 社会制度 中是没有 离休人员对应语 的， 而“ １ ． ２ 米（ 含） 以下儿童免费 则 作为文字 内容 的补充、 确认 、 说明， 效果 相得益彰。 适用于所有旅游 者。 所 以我们可 以省去前边内容 ， 只译 出后 面那部 分， 译 为“ Ｆ ｒ ｅ ｅ ａ ｄ ｍｉ ｓ ｓ ｉ ｏ ｎ ｆ ｏ ｒ ｃ ｈ ｉ ｌ ｄ ｒ ｅ ｎ ｂ ｅ ｌ ｏ ｗ １ ． ２ ｍ ｅ ｔ ｅ ｒ ｓ ” 。 （ ２ ） 运用祈使句 、 名词和 动名词 针对 目标公众 发 出 “ 动 态” 的指 令， 使公示 语 中大 量应 用祈使 句。 如： 请 勿登踏 Ｄ ｏ ｎ ’ ｔ Ｓ ｔ ｅ ｐ Ｏ ｎ ， 注 意安全 ， 请 勿靠 近 Ｋ ｅ ｅ ｐ Ａ ｗａ ｙ ｏｒ ｆ Ｓ ａ ｆ ｅ ｔ ｙ ａ 表示 。 静态 意义 、 服务、 指示 、 说 明性 质的公示 语大量 应用名 词， 直接、 准确无误 显示特 定信息 。 如小 心玻璃 Ｃ ａ ｕ ｔ ｉ ｏ ｎ ！Ｇ ｌ ａ ｓ ｓ 。 （ ３ ） 公示语 的地 域和文化性 公示 语 是语言 的一 种文体 ， 而语 言都是 文化 的反 映， 又受地 域 的约 束， 因此部分 公示 语具有 明显的本土意义 。 如我 国旅游 景点名和菜名。

名词（或动名词）+过去分词
Inspection Declined Road Closed Toilet Engaged Parking Permitted Smoking Strictly Prohibited
名词（或动名词）+副词
Hands Off Safety First Staff Only Stairs Up Working Overhead
Recycling bin to your right! Please use it. 回收桶在您右侧！请使用。 If this lift is out of order, please call 020-736397 for assistance, we apologize for any inconvenience caused. 如果电梯出现故障，请拨打020-736397求助。我们 为由此造成的任何不便深感歉意。 No food is to be consumed in this area. 此处不准饮食。 ATTENTION: OUR MERCHANDISE HAS A HIDDEN SECUITY DEVICE UPON PURCHASE IT WILL BE DEACTIVATED 本店商品内置特殊报警装置，付费后即行失效。
公示语的语言特点
句式特点： 3. 多用祈使句 因为受众多是行色匆匆，且公示语所针对 的目标受众是明确的，所以祈使句在公 示语中得到了大量的应用。
See Reverse for Full Rules and Condition 详细规则条款见背页 Lower window for ventilation 调低车窗通风（通风请开车窗） Please do not help yourself to books from this shelf. 请不要随意从架子上取书。 Hold the Hand Rail. 抓紧扶手

142《名家名作》·翻译一、引言在中国不断加速的城市化进程中，许多城市都以建设国际化大都市为方向不断前进。

一个城市汉英两种语言公示语的应用是否广泛体现了城市的国际化开放程度，汉译英是否规范展示了城市的整体素质。

公示语翻译标示着一个城市或地区的对外交流水平、文化开放和人文环境建设程度。

［1］苏州是国内一座著名的城市，吸引了很多国内外投资者和旅游者。

城市中的汉英双语指示性公示语、警示性公示语、广告性公示语、道路名较为常见。

探讨这些公示语的汉英翻译现状、存在的问题及解决办法，有利于改善城市的语言环境和人文环境，提升城市的整体形象。

二、汉英公示语的应用（一）指示性公示语公共场所的汉语指示语能给大家提供一些必要的服务信息。

把汉语指示性语言翻译成合适的英文，可以使外国客人在中国城市有更好的生活及旅游体验。

苏州作为新型的一线城市，向着国际化都市的方向不断发展。

苏州各公共场所的英文指示语在国际化进程中起着较好的信息指示作用，可以告诉外国友人地点、方位等信息。

苏州大型商场、医院等公共场所常见的汉英指示语包括收银（Cashier）、客户中心（VIP Service Center）、可回收物（Recyclable）、客梯（Guest Only）、消防梯（FIRE ELEVATOR）等。

当然，也有一些指示语的英译令人不满意，无法给人们传递原有的信息量。

例1　无障碍/家庭洗手间（苏州某商场）原译：Disabled& Family Toilet改译：Toilet for Disabled People& Family 例2　扫码缴费（苏州某停车场）原译：Sweep code capture 改译：Scan the QR Code to Pay例1中“家庭”译为“Family”是没有问题的，但是“无障碍”翻译为“Disabled”就不合适了。

“Disabled”为形容词，意思是残疾的。

洗手间本身没有残疾，而是供残疾人使用。

摘要英语公示语对在中国的外国友人来说是最便捷的路标指示，它的作用是显而易见的。

然而，目前错误和不规范的英文公示语已经严重影响了中国的对外形象，而且也给外国友人带来了很多的麻烦。

本文作者通过多次调查研究，从跨文化视角，将公示语英译错误分为两类，即语言层面和文化层面，然后，作者对这两类错误进行了分析，探讨出现这些问题的原因，并提出了解决这些问题的对策。

关键词：公示语；问题；对策；跨文化交际ABSTRACTEnglish public signs as the simplest guide are apparently essential to foreigners in China. However, the improper and nonstandard English public signs have been a pressing problem because they have defaced China’s International image and have given much trouble to the foreigners in their daily life.On the basis of many researches, the author classifies the public signs translation errors from linguistic and cultural aspects, analyses these two types of errors, illustrates the causes, and puts forward some strategies for improvements of public signs translation, from the perspective of intercultural communication.Key words：public signs; problems; strategies; intercultural communicationContents1．Introduction (51)2. An Overview of Public Signs (52)2.1 The Definition of Public Signs (52)2.2 Functions of Public Signs (53)2.3 Types of Public Signs (54)3. Intercultural Communication (56)3.1 Definition of IC (56)3.2 Language and Culture (56)3.3Application of IC to Translation of Public Signs (57)4. Problems of Public Signs C-E Translation and Analysis of Causes (59)4.1 Problems on Linguistic Level (59)4.2 Problems on Cultural Level (62)4.3 Causes Analysis (64)5. Strategies of Public Signs Translation (65)5.1Literal Translation (65)5.2 Liberal Translation (66)5.3 Addition and Omitting (67)6．Conclusion (69)Acknowledgements (70)References (71)1．IntroductionIn 2008, China held the Beijing Olympic Game successfully, and now the 2010 World Expo is being held in Shanghai. At present, more and more foreigners stream into China. They come to China to travel, study, and do business, etc. Most of them speak English instead of Chinese. Under such circumstances, English Public signs will play a very important role, because these signs will help foreigners to find their way in a new environment or get the information they want. However，the improper and nonstandard English public signs have been a pressing problem because they have defaced China’s international image and have given rise to troubles and inconvenience to the foreigners in their daily life. So it is very necessary to carry on the following error research on English translation of public signs. Many essays about this research have been published on many journals. However, most essays in these journals only discuss the problem from a special perspective and there has not been a thorough and systematic study of the distribution of error frequency and the causes of the errors on C-E sign translation so far. Therefore, this thesis intends to conduct a study of the translation of public signs with the aim to explore the strategies and methods to enhance public sign translation. And it will mainly focus on the following three parts: the application of intercultural communication to public signs; the error analysis on English translation of public signs and strategies for improvement.2. An Overview of Public Signs2.1 The Definition of Public SignsWhen we discuss the definition of “public signs”, it is necessary to clarify the definition of “sign”, in the English language first. The research of public sign was started in 1959 by two scholars named Vinay and Darbelnet from western country[1]424. According to Oxford English Dictionary , “sign” refers to a characteristic device attached to, or placed in front of, an inn or a store, as a means of distinguishing it from others or direct attention to it. In Webster’s Third International Dictionary, “sign”is defined as a lettered board or other public display placed before or on a building, room, store or office to advertise business there transacted or the name of person or firm conducting it [2]. From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,“sign” is defined as “a board, a post, or place displayed in a public place to convey information or a direction.” [3]While in China, it is in recent years that the expression of public signs comes into our view. In its literal meaning, public sign refers to the words or expression shown to the public in public places. Dai Zongxian & Lu Hefa[3] put forward the definition of “public signs” as “public display of written message bearing a designation, direction and other closely related literal and graphical information.” Prof. Lu Hefa has also classified the scope of signs in China in his dictionary A Chinese-English Dictionary on Signs[4]. According to him, public signs are very commonly used in people’s social life. In a word, the information, which is open to the public and related to their daily life, will be within the scope of researches on public signs. A public sign refers to a language-based message carrier used in public places to inform the public what they are supposed to know. The public signs are widely used in many fields and impact every aspect of our daily life. Therefore, the translation of public signs is ofgreat significance.2.2 Functions of Public SignsPublic signs are widely used and serve different functions for normal operation of the society. According to Professor Lu Hefa[5]38, public signs may fall into the following four categories in terms of function, namely directing, prompting, restricting and compelling. The different functions of the public signs directly affect the style and the mood of the translation.(1) DirectingBasically speaking, public signs serving directing function are information providers and the purpose is to give readers guidance about the service that they are entitled to. They are prevailing in a city and can be found almost everywhere. Examples as follows:问询服务Information售票处Ticket Office外卖Take Away营业时间Business Hours(2) PromptingPublic signs of prompting remind people to pay attention to them. Prompting signs are similar to the directive ones in their informative function. They are widely used on public occasions and often use brief and euphemistic words as well as different forms of sentences structures. For example:油漆未干Wet Paint向左急转弯Abrupt Turn Left减价销售On Sale道路封闭Road Closed(3) RestrictingNot as the two functions mention above, the function of restriction put constrains and restrictions to the readers. The purpose of public signs in this category is to confine the activities or actions of the related public with the special words. The languages are direct and simple, but the readers don’t feel these signs are impolite or rude. Look at the following:凭票入场Ticket Only慢速驶出Slow Out游客止步Staff Only限停车10分钟10 Minutes Parking(4) CompellingPublic signs of this type have a more tough tone than those with other three functions. They require readers to take or not to take certain actions, usually with direct tough, forceful language. And the language is supposed to bear no compromise.严禁乱扔垃圾No Littering不得进入草地Keep Off the Grass禁止酒后开车No Driving after Drinking禁酒区Alcohol Free ZoneAbove are the four functions of public signs. Chinese and English public signs have the same functions and express specific information.2.3 Types of Public SignsPublic signs can be found very easily around us. They are displayed in different places for different usages and functions. According to the places they placed, the author divides them into the following types.(1). Public Signs for Traffic and RoadTraffic and road signs are used to provide help for people and keep a good social order as well. These signs are playing a very important role in the society, especially in crowded places.(2).Public Signs for TourismMany public signs are placed at scenic spots. Some of them are used to remind the visitors to abide by some rules while others are to help them further understand the history or culture.(3).Public Signs for Service Industry and BusinessWith the development of economy, there are more and more public signs appear in the field of business and service industry. Many signs put on the window or at the door can easily attract consumers from both at home andabroad.(4). Public Signs for Environmental ProtectionNowadays, the situation of environment is getting worse and worse among the whole world. Public signs as one of the communication materials, perform not only the function of publicizing, but also a kind of “High Touch” service[6]26. That’s to say, public signs for environmental protection help to call for people to be self-discipline in protecting our environment.From the above we can see that public signs are widely used in people’s daily life. They can be found in every kind of public places. They are easy to remember and their four functions determine the language styles.3. Intercultural CommunicationIt is quite clear that C-E translation of public signs is closely related with Chinese and English. So bilingualism has always been regarded as an essential requirement for the translator. In fact, the activity of translation is a kind of intercultural communication. In Nida’s opinion, the most serious mistakes in translation are usually made not because of verbal inadequacy, but of wrong cultural assumptions[7]. Therefore, it is a must for translators to know some about intercultural communication.3.1 Definition of ICIt is clear that IC refers to the communication among people from two or more cultures. Successful IC is based on the positive feeling and beliefs we bring to the intercultural encounter and on the behavioral skills we possess. Professor Jia Yuxin[8]23thinks that the intercultural communication is the communication between people from different cultural backgrounds. Hanvey[9] believes that the sense of IC is the sensitive recognition of cultural factors between joiners during their communication.Language can not exist without culture. Naturally, in the course of intercultural communication, the participant or the translator should not only be familiar with his own language and culture, but also the language and culture of his counterpart, especially the differences between the two involved cultures[10].Only when he keeps these cultural factors in mind can he be competent in the process of intercultural communication.3.2 Language and CultureThe relationship between language and culture has been studied for many decades. Brown, H.D describes the two like this: “A language is a part of a culture and a culture is a part of a language; the two are intricately interwovenso that one cannot separate the two without losing the significance of either language or culture.”[11]56 Language is a bridge people can use to learn or understand cultural values and it is necessary to know cultural values to acquire the language to portray them. Language is a very important component of the culture. In fact, language is decided and restricted by the culture. Culture can have a great effect on the existence and development of language in many aspects.Therefore, in order to communicate effectively and competently across cultures we need to be aware of both linguistic and cultural knowledge at the same time. It is also suitable to PS translation, since this specific translation task is involved with both two different languages and cultures. If we want to have correct and idiomatic English public signs, we should not only be bilingual, but also be bicultural.3.3Application of IC to Translation of Public SignsPublic signs translation is an activity of intercultural communication, that’s to say the intercultural awareness is a must for translators when translating public signs into English. Just as Nida has put: to be bilingual, one has to be bicultural[12]. Cultural approaches consider translation as a communicative process which appears between cultures[13]27. Concerning public signs translation, the translators should focus on differences between the characteristic of Chinese and English language. It is true that cultural discrepancy is an important factor in the course of C-E translation of public signs.In addition, public signs translators should take readers’response as an important criterion in the assessment of translated version. Since these readers are mainly foreign visitors and tourists who know little about the history and culture of about China. It is true that many problems and errors in public signs translation are caused by the insufficient intercultural awareness. Some translators are deeply influenced by their mother tongue, which is a big problem when translating Chinese public signs into English. To solve the problem, public sign translators should correctly express the meanings of Chinese PSs in accordance with the idiomatic expressions of the target language when doing PStranslation. In this way, our translated versions can be better and more easily understood by target readers. It is evident that failure of IC in this specific translation task will undoubtedly lead to the occurrences of many mistaken and obscure English versions of Chinese PSs.4. Problems of Public Signs C-E Translation andAnalysis of CausesNowadays, a variety of international events are held in China, with an increasing number of foreigners coming here. English as the universal language of the world, becomes the most convenient tool of our communication. Although experts have called for more attention on the translation of public signs, and the present situation is far from being satisfactory. Ni Chuanbin and Liu Zhi[14]19published the paper Translation Principles for Public Signs and Example Analysis in which the authors put forward five principles. After that, there are many papers about translation of public signs appearing in some journals, but most of them didn’t form syste matical research. On the next part we will discuss the problems on the translation of public signs from linguistic and cultural aspect, and then analyse the causes.4.1 Problems on Linguistic LevelThe errors of linguistic translation are often due to deficiencies in the translator’s source or target competence. He Ziran ever explained that by making linguistic errors, the translators or interpreters fail to conform to the target language structure, instead they casually translate the source text in their own language structures.4.1.1 MisspellingThe most commonly encountered problems in the C-E translation of public signs are undoubtedly the spelling mistakes or misspelling. Errors of this kind are easily noticeable, but they are intolerable to English readers because they leave a bad impression to foreigners on the English proficiency of Chinese people. Such mistakes can be found everywhere, for example:(1) Ants and Crafts(工艺品)You may feel confused by this phrase if you are not on the spot and see the real objects with your own eye. It is put before the arts and crafts department in a sale stall in Nanjing Airport. It should be Arts and Crafts.(2) We may be surprised to see such an expression “Read End Collision”on a super highway, with the original meaning “追尾危险”. This public sign is very common and essential on super highways to warn drivers against accidents and keep the traffic order. However, the word “Rear” is mistaken for “Read”, and with no doubt it loses the intended meaning.In real life, spelling mistakes take up a lot in the overall translation problems of public signs. We may think that the translators should be responsible for them. Some may lack professional competence or may be because of their carelessness. Also the printers or makers of the public signs should be responsible for the problems.4.1.2 Grammatical ErrorsSentences in a good translation should, at least conform to the grammatical rules or conversations of target language. And it is particularly true for the translation of public signs. However, a lot of grammatical problems can be found in the translation of public signs. Most of these errors are not that visible as misspelling, but they also show the poor proficiency of the translator and their irresponsible attitude.Example 1: The International Building in Guangzhou, which is the tallest in China and also the symbol of Guangzhou city. It should stand for China’s international image. However, one of the signs on the International Building goes like: “加强国际交流合作，让世界了解广州”. The translation is: “International Exchange and Cooperation Facilitate Development of Guangzhou into International Metropolis!”It’s quite difficult for foreigners to understand. Due to the grammar problems, this sign could hardly play the role of building up an international city image. It is suggested to be translated as: “Facility the Development of Guangzhou into an International Metropolis through International Exchange and Cooperation!”Example 2: “通往下层” is translated into “To the below floor” on a certain street in Nanjing. The English version is grammatically wrong because the word “below” is a preposition instead of an adjective. Therefore, the English version should be “To the lower floor”.Example 3: “请保护环境卫生” is translated into “Please keep environment sanitation”, which has big grammatical problems. In terms of the sentencestructure, it is obvious that the word of “environment” is the object of the verb of “keep” and the word of “sanitation” is the object complement. According to English grammar, there exists a logical subject-predicate relationship between the object and its complement. So this sentence should be translated into “Please keep the place clean and tidy.”4.1.3 Words Improperly UsedA famous translator ever said that the proper words should be in the proper places in the translation. If not, errors might happen. The so-called “using improper words” shows that the translator does not fully understand the original public signs, and just makes a literal translation, which makes people puzzled.Example 1: 敬老院——Old Man’ HouseTo respect the aged and love the young are always the traditional virtues of China. In western countries, people do not like somebody else to say that they are old. So this pubic sign should be translated into “Senior Citizens’ House”.Example 2: 客户服务中心——Client Ministrant Centre“Ministrant”, as an adjective, is very formal and seldom used, meaning serving attendance. So it is not proper here, and we can use a very simple word “service” to replace it. It can be translated into “Customer Service Centre”.Example 3: 请勿停车使用——No Occupying While StablingThe revised English version should be No Occupying While Stationary. We can always find the above example on the toilet doors on trains. Here the word “stabling” is misused for it means “space in stables (a building for keeping and feeding horses in)”.In the translation of public signs, poor choice of words can be easily found. It is a very serious problem to choose wrong words. It shows the poor capability of the translators. Each word, when used in a new context, is a new word [15]251.A word is the smallest unit of language on its own, and the meaning is the most essential aspect of a word. So words should be chosen on the basis of accurate understanding of them.4.2 Problems on Cultural LevelApart from mistakes on the linguistic level, the mistranslation concerning culture also needs attentive study. Translation involves the transfer of two cultures as well as that of two languages, and that translation is regarded as a cultural communication to transplant the source culture. It is not an easy task to translate between Chinese and English because the two languages belong to entirely different cultural traditions. So translation is the intercultural communication between the western and Chinese cultures.To some extent, linguistic mistranslation is more tolerable to target readers in comparison to the mistranslation on the cultural level. Translation mistakes on the cultural level may make foreigners feel they are offended in such fields as customs, beliefs and faith. Therefore, mistranslation resulting from cultural ignorance is a problem that needs urgent solution, otherwise, China will be regarded as a country in the lack of cultural respect to others.Generally speaking, mistranslation from the perspective of culture can be classified into two categories: Chinglish and Inappropriate tone.4.2.1 ChinglishChinglish translations always come from the word-for-word translation method, which results from either the translators using such translation tools as dictionaries and translation machines or their lack of proficiency in translation. Chinese and English-speaking people have different thought patterns and accordingly different ways to express ideas. If these differences are ignored, it’s very easy to produce Chinglish.Example 1:请勿乱扔杂物——No Throws TrashThis public sign is widely used, especially in tourist attractions. But the translation is far from being satisfactory. It is apparently affected by Chinese pattern of thinking and it is typical Chinglish. The revised version is “No Littering”.Example 2: 不得在停车场内随地吐痰、大小便——Spitting, going convenient around must be prohibited.There is no such phrase as “going convenient around” in English. It might be an absurd word for word translation of “随地大小便”as in Chinese, “goaround”means “随地”and “convenient”means “方便”.Chinglish like this makes target readers who don’t speak Chinese puzzle or may laugh. A suggest version is “Spitting, urinating or defecating must be prohibited”.Example 3:一次性用品——A Time Sex ThingWhat will foreigners feel when they see signs with such filthy words? The translation is different from the original meaning. “一次性”means it can be used once only, but the translation not only twists the Chinese meaning, but also becomes an international joke. We can translate it into “Disposable Articles”.The following are more examples about Chinglish.Wrong Correct游客止步Consumers Stop Employee Only肉松Meat Pine Dried Meat Floss激情海岸Sex on the Beach Exotic Flavor买一赠一Buy one, give one Buy one, get one free英语之窗The Window of English English Service AvailableThe examples similar to those mentioned above are too numerous to show one by one. It can be said that the phenomenon of Chinglish is caused by translating Chinese according to the superficial Chinese meaning. And the translators didn’t pay attention to the differences between Chinese and English. They may impose the Chinese thinking model on the English version.4.2.2 Inappropriate ToneTo some degree, the tone decides what the additional function a public sign assumes besides the most fundamental one. Therefore, when translating public signs, we should not only translate the exact meaning but also the exact tone so that we could achieve functional equivalence in an overall way. But in most cases, equivalence in tone is always lost due to cultural misunderstanding.Example1: “青草依依，踏之何忍” can now be seen in many public places. Different from “请勿践踏草坪” which was often classified as a compelling sign in the public in the past, the former is more vivid and polite in tone because of personification used to express the meaning from the view the grass that we should protect. “Keep off the Grass”is the general translation, but the translation of “The Grass So Fair, Needs Your Care”put forward by Wu Weixiong[16]36 in 2004 is strongly recommended according to Nida’s functionalequivalence.Example 2: “请勿在此吸烟” This public sign is always translated into “No Smoking”which also violates Nida’s functional equivalence. The appropriate one is “Thank You for Not Smoking Here”From the discussion above, we can see that different cultures have different views of the same things, and errors will arise in the process of translation if those differences are overlooked by the translators. So translators should have a good command of cultural traditions of western countries.4.3 Causes AnalysisAs mentioned above, there are mainly two types of mistakes in Chinese-English public signs translation: translation errors on linguistic level and on cultural level. It may be due to translator’s carelessness such as spelling; it may also be due to translator’s low proficiency such as grammar errors. To solve those linguistic mistakes, translator needs to be both proficient and careful. In some cases, even if fully understanding the meaning of the original Chinese expressions, some translators may feel it difficult to find proper English words to replace the Chinese ones, and just use some words apparently seeming to be equivalent to the Chinese ones.For another thing, more and more new public signs appear nowadays. And these public signs have their own special characteristics. So it’s quite hard for the translator to express the English version correctly. The lack in the language competence was and still is a universal problem in the translation of pubic signs.Thirdly, with the development of science and technology, many signs are translated by computer software. In fact, it is very good to use computer as a reference. However, if we just rely on computer, the translation must have many problems.5. Strategies of Public Signs Translation5.1Literal TranslationLiteral translation is correct and must not be avoided, if it secures pragmatic equivalence to the original[17]. But literal translation is not word-for–word and one-to-one translations. Literal translation renders both the style and content of the original, and it also retains the original cultural information. Literal translation is widely used in translation of informative public signs which requires the accurate transfer of the original information.Example 1: 平等,发展,和平——Equality, Development, Peace.Example 2: 整个景区占地约8000平方米，以排云殿为中心，由排云殿、宝华殿、云锦殿、二宫门、芳辉殿、紫霄殿、德辉殿以及连通各座殿堂的游廊、配房组成(The Summer Palace)——The entire scenery area covers an area of 8000 square metres, with Paiyun Dian at the center, surrounded by Paiyun Men, Yuhua Dian, Yunjin Dian, Er Gong Men, Fanghui Dian, ZixiaoDian. Dehui Dian, all of which are linked by corridors and side halls.Information of the source texts are all maintained. Sentence orders remain unchanged in the translations. Even the target texts take the similar styles of the source text. The transfer of content must be put to priority. For informative public signs, literal translation can best reserve the original content.5.2 Liberal TranslationLiberal translation mainly conveys the meaning and spirit of the original without remaining the sentence patterns or figures of speech. Liberal translation echoes with Peter Newmark’s communicative translation. Liberal translation is the main strategy used in translation of evocative public signs. As discussed above, for evocative public signs, the focus of attention of the Chinese readers and that of the English readers are quite different. In this case, a liberal method is preferred.Example 1:…是当年慈禧到佛香阁拈香礼佛时的更衣之处(The Summer Palace)——It served as a dressing room for Empress Dowager Cixi on her way to the Tower of the Fragrant of the Buddha to pay her homage. Functionally speaking, this sentence is an informative one. Compared with “pay homage to the Buddha”, “burn incense”is less important information. The target text, although not completely transfer the original content, functions the same as the source text.Example 2:…高度体现了中国园林“虽由人作，宛自天开”的造园准则.(The Summer Palace)——…That best illustrates the guiding principle of traditional Chinese garden design: “the works of men should match the works of Heaven”.As a matter of fact, the adoption of literal and liberal translation in the C-E translation is quite flexible. Sometimes, the combination of the two methods of translation is also visible. However, just as Nord said that “ends justify means”, the actual functional purpose of a sign should always be the No 1 priority in the translation public signs. And the text type of a specific sign should also be taken into consideration.。

4. 原文：青青绿草，请勿践踏 原译：Please don’t path on the green grass. 改译：Please Keep Off the Grass
பைடு நூலகம்
5. 原文：贵阳乘警支队（火车公示语） 原译：Expensive Sun by a day by police 改译： Guiyang Train Police Detachment 解析：原文属于胡译乱译，根本不是翻译，此处“乘警”表示火车上的警察或维护 治安的人员，支队往往表示部队相当于团或师一级的组织，但这里的“支队”指小 分队。
10. 原文：小心行走，以免摔倒 原译：Fall Down Carefully 改译： Slippery/Wet Floor 此处字字照译，错误非常明显，如果把“Fall Down Carefully”回译，就成了“小心 地倒下”，违背了原意。
11. 原文：请自觉购票（白云山售票说明） 原译：Please buy your tickets consciously. 改译： Tickets Only 解析：受汉语影响，英文字字对译，原译“consciously”属于多余。“自觉”对应的 英文单词是“conscientiously”而非“consciously（有意识的）”；另外，英文中没有 这种表达法。建议改译为“Please Buy Tickets”。
14. 原文：人类的净土，靠你我共同维护。（广东增城白水寨） 原译：Pure land of mankind depends on the mutual preservation of people 改译：Please Help Us to Protect the Environment/ Keep it Clean and Tidy . 解析：“Pure Land”表示纯洁的土地，“preservation”表示“保持”之意，原文的目 的是请游客保持景区环境卫生 。

语境理解不当
公示语通常具有特定的语境和含义， 如果对语境理解不当，可能会影响翻 译的准确性。
缺乏统一标准和规范
翻译标准不一
目前公示语翻译缺乏统一的规范和标准，不同译者可能有不同的理解和翻译方 式，导致翻译质量参差不齐。
监管不力
对于公示语翻译的监管不够严格，一些错误或不规范的翻译可能会被忽略或得 不到及时纠正。
03
公示语汉英翻译策略
语言知识的学习与提高
词汇积累
学习英语词汇，确保正确 理解和使用公示语词汇。
语法训练
加强英语语法训练，避免 因语法错误导致翻译不准 确。
语感培养
多读、多听、多说，培养 英语语感，提高翻译准确 性。
文化差异的认知与把握
文化背景了解
研究英语和汉语的文化背景，了解文化差异对翻 译的影响。
案例三：街道公示语错译
总结词
翻译错误、语言冗余、表达不准确
详细描述
街道公示语中常出现翻译错误，如错译、漏译等。此外，有些公示语存在语言冗余、表达不准确的问 题，导致信息传达不准确。
案例四：商业街公示语错译
总结词
语言风格不符、缺乏语境理解、拼写错误
详细描述
商业街公示语中常出现语言风格不符的问题，如口语化表达 、过于繁琐等。同时，缺乏对语境的理解可能导致表达不准 确。此外，拼写错误也是常见问题。
文化差异不了解
文化背景不同
中西方文化背景差异较大，对于 某些概念、习俗、传统等理解不 够深入，可能导致翻译错误。
文化意象差异
在某些公示语中，可能包含具有 特定文化意象的词汇或表达方式 ，如果不了解西方文化，可能会 误解或误译这些内容。
翻译技巧不熟练
直译问题
在翻译过程中，如果不了解英语和汉 语之间的语言差异和特点，可能会采 用直译的方式，导致翻译不流畅或不 符合英语表达习惯。

B. 使用Attention或Notice等具有公告意义的词 1. ATTENTION NO PETS ALLOWED. （注意：请勿携带宠物入内） 2. Attention: Lockers are Not in Service at This Time at the Request of the Federal Aviation Administration. （通告：应联邦航空管理局要求，储物柜此 刻暂停使用。）
第 九 讲
公示语的翻译
Translation of Signs
一、什么是公示语？ 公开和面对公众，告示、指示、 提示、显示、警示、标示与公众生活、 生产、生命、生业等休戚相关的文字及 图形信息。
（王颖 吕和发: 《公示语汉英翻译》）
二、公示语的特点与作用 （一）特点 1、 可认知性 2、 普遍性 3、 公益性 4、 约束性
禁止（严禁、请勿）入内；谢绝参观 No Entry / No Admittance 禁止通行（通过） Access Prohibited / No Passing 免费物品（宾馆客房内免费食品、饮料等） Complimentary 钱款当面点清，离柜概不负责 Please Count your Change Before Leaving 请出示证件 Please Show Your ID
D. 使用一般将来时的被动结构 1. All Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed by Rokaitis Industries Inc. （所有违章停靠车辆将被罗凯提斯工业公 司拖走） 2. This is a Non-Smoking Room. If smoking occurs during your stay a ＄150 Cleaning Fee will be billed to your account. （此为无烟房。若阁下入住期间抽烟， 您的账单上将会增加150美元的清洁费。）

3． 用拼音代替翻译 ．
《1》天河城广场警务室 （天河城） • Tian He Cheng Guang Chang Jing Wu Shi 《2》消防设备严禁挪用 （中华广场） • XIAO FANG SHE BEI YAN JIN NUO YONG
4． 翻译规范不统一 ．
《1》有无译文不统一。
theory and method
"翻译活动基本的作用是为人 类拆除语言文字障碍obstacle， 促成不同社会、不同地域、 不同文化背景的国家和民族 的沟通和交流。" ---许嘉璐，2005
广州部分地区公示 语翻译的语料分析
1． 由于缺乏英语常识而导致的翻 ． 译错误
A． 拼写错误 ． 垃圾箱上的说明） 《1》不可回收 （垃圾箱上的说明） 》 • NO RECYCLABLE • 此处应该是“NON RECYCLABLE”， 而“NO 此处应该是“ ， RECYCLABLE”的意思则刚好相反，是“不可以 的意思则刚好相反， 的意思则刚好相反 /不要回收” 不要回收” 不要回收 《2》不得携带火种 （白云山门口说明） • Do not take kinding. • “火种”应该为“kindling”
B． 过于罗嗦 ． 流花湖公园） 《1》即购即入 每人一票 （流花湖公园） 》 • ONE TICKET FOR ONE TOURIST. YOU CAN ENTER ONCE YOU BUY IT. • 我们在第三部分提到，中文公示语有时为了特别 我们在第三部分提到， 的效果，会放弃简洁的语言特色。 其实“ 的效果，会放弃简洁的语言特色。 其实“每人一 的含义就已经包括了“游人购票后就可进园” 票”的含义就已经包括了“游人购票后就可进园” 的意思， 的意思，只是在这两个对应的四字短语读起来比 较琅琅上口。因此，我们认为， 较琅琅上口。因此，我们认为，译文中第二句 “YOU CAN ENTER ONCE YOU BUY IT.”可以 可以 省略。建议改为： 省略。建议改为：“ONE TICKET FOR ONE TOURIST ONLY.”或者“TICKET ONLY”. 或者“ 或者 《2》邮箱（越秀公园） 》邮箱（越秀公园） • post letter box • 建议改为：mail box 建议改为：

1. 遵循规范性和标准型 TWO WAY 双向行驶 FOREIGN EXCHANGE 外币兑换 DUTY FREE SHOP 免税店 RAMP SPEED 斜坡限速
2. 回避生僻词语 No Thoroughfare 禁止通行 Road Closed 此路封闭 Guest’s Car Park 来客停车场 Buy Two Get One Free 买二赠一 Customer Services When the bus is moving, do not speak to the driver. 汽车行驶中，严禁与司机交谈
限制性公示语对相关公众的行为提出限制、 约束要求，语言应用直截了当，但不会 使人感到强硬、粗暴、无理。 Slow Out Hot! Avoid Contact! Children and Senior Citizens Free All Visitors Please Report to the Gate Warder 来客请到门房登记
公示语的语言特点
词汇特点： 3. 利用词组、短语 词组、短语的结构简单，组合多样，能有 效传达公示语的中心意思。
Be aware of the Dog Check in Area (Zone) Departure Times on Reserve Due to Security Closed After 21:00 hours access to London underground station. Thank you for keeping off the grass.
突出服务、指示功能的公示语，其信息状 态多为“静态”。突出提示、限制、强 制功能的公示语，其信息状态多为“动 态”。
（1）引发兴趣 Anniversary Sale Last chance to buy (2) 提供信息 Fashion Accessories Camping Equipment Souvenirs Tickets and guide books on sale here for Tower of London

丑牛 ox - … 卯兔 rabbit - … 巳蛇 snake - … 未羊 ram - … 酉鸡 rooster - … 亥猪 boar -…
(4) 中华传统书画 (Traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting)
笔画
汉字
竖
横
折
点
左/右勾
左/右斜勾
撇
捺
山水画 花鸟画 水墨山水 泼墨山水 That is the end of this unit!
踏青 to go for an outing in the early spring
端午节 the Duanwu Festival / Loong-boat Festival (Chinese Poet’s Day, on the fifth day
of the fifth lunar month)
以名词为中心型 这类公示语多表示指引、说明、告知等，是静态的。无论英汉，都大量使用名词或 名词性结构。 登记处 咨询台 消防通道 轮椅通道
练习：
地铁：
出站口
以动词为中心型 这类公示语多向公众发出一些提示、号召或要求。富有动感。大量使用动词或动词 短语，以突出动态性和警示性。
小心来车 登记入住 小心轻放
练习： 请勿扶门 严禁手扶 小心碰 切勿倒置
（3）‘请’/Please结构型 这类公示语用于向公众提出某种请求或要求，目的是为了公共利益，期待大众的合 作，语气礼貌。 请排队等候入场 请出示证件 请随手关门
练习一下： 请勿折叠 请勿带走 请勿触摸展品
（4） ‘禁止……、不要……、切勿……’/ Do not…结构型 这类公示语表示对公众某些行为进行限制和禁止，语气肯定、严肃。 句型一般使用简洁的肯定句、否定句或祈使句。