Abstract and Key Words

Abstract: Public signs refer to the language intended for the public which offers public information for the purpose of instructing or facilitating their lives. It is indicated that public signs include indicators, way-finding boards, slogans, public notices, warning, the directions in tourist sites, the general simple directions on the packages of food. These public signs play an indispensable role in public life by functioning as directive, restrictive and compelling pragmatic texts. However, the translation of public signs is still non-standard and even represented with typical mistakes. This paper, based on functionalist approach, with the analyses of examples of mistranslations, tries to find out appropriate translation methods according to the functions of public signs. It is found that skopos theory can be practically applied in the translation of public signs. It is then argued that what determines and governs the translation process of public signs is the purpose of the entire translation act which allows flexible choice of translation methods.

Key words: public signs; translation; functionalist approach 

摘要：公示语是在公众场合向公众公示须知内容的语言。指示牌、路牌、标语、公告、警示、旅游场所指示语、食品包装说明等都是公示语。作为实用文本，公示语具有指示性、限制性、强制性，在生活中扮演着不可或缺的角色。然而公示语的翻译仍然很不规范，错误典型。本文收集了一些不规范的公示语翻译，结合德国功能派的目的论，根据公示语的功能，提出具体翻译方法。本文认为目的论可以实际运用到公示语翻译实践中，并指出翻译过程中的决定性因素是整个翻译行为的目的，译者可据此选择灵活的翻译方法。

关键词：公示语；翻译；功能理论

1. Introduction
According to American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, “sign” is defined as “a board, poster, or place displayed in a public place to advertise or to convey information or a direction.” In Oxford Advanced learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary“sign” is defined as “a piece of paper, wood or mental that has writing or a picture on it that gives you information, instructions, a warming, etc.” To be more comprehensive, “public signs” can be regarded as “public display of written messages which may bear a designation, direction, command, warning, and other closely related literal and graphical information.”The closest equivalents of “public signs” in Chinese are “标识语”, “标志语”, “标示语”, “告示语”, “揭示语”. As an important part of our life, public signs can usually be seen in such public places as theatres, business operation places and scenic spots, etc. Actually, public signs include road signs, traffic signs, safety signs, shop signs, warning signs, slogans, or any signs placed in public places. In a word, all the information open to the public about their daily life may be within the scope of public signs.