Study on the English translation of subway public signs in Nanchang from the perspective of eco-translatology
生态翻译学视角下南昌市地铁公示语翻译研究

摘要

在城市人口密集、文化多样性的今天，公共交通的公示语翻译显得尤其重要。恰当的公示语在对外交往中起着明确的引导与提示作用，对于构建国际化大都市起着至关重要的作用。为促使公示语的英译更加地道和恰当，本文以生态翻译学理论为指导，通过对南昌市地铁一号线、四号线公示语英译进行实证研究，对可取之处以及存在的问题展开分析，将公示语翻译的错误成因按照层次划分为若干种类型，同时从语言、文化、交际三个维度探讨公示语英译策略，并提出相应改进对策，以提升公共交通公示语的翻译质量，提高南昌的对外城市形象。由于公示语属于功能呼唤型文本，带有明显的交际意图，其英译应根据目的语的文化特点，合理地选择其所包含的文化内涵，在对源语语言和文化的转化进行研究的同时，还应重视“交际维”的转换。

Abstract

In today's densely populated and culturally diverse cities, the translation of public transportation signs is particularly important. Appropriately translated signs play a clear role in guiding and informing for international communication and navigation, and are crucial for the development of global cities. To enhance the idiomaticity and appropriateness of the Chinese-English translation of public transportation signs, this study empirically examines the English translation of public signs on Metro Line 1 and Line 4 in Nanchang under the guidance of eco-translatology theory and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses, categorizes the causes of translation errors, discusses Chinese-English translation strategies from three dimensions—language, culture and communication, and proposes corresponding strategies for improvement measures to enhance the translation quality of public transportation signs and improve Nanchang's external urban image. Since public transportation signs serve a vocative function and convey strong communicative intent, the translation should consider the cultural nuances of the target language and make judicious selections regarding the cultural connotations they encompass and at the same time attention should be paid to its communication effect.