Abstract:Public signs are a kind of special style commonly found in public places which can be conveyed by a few words and easy-to-understand illustrations to express a certain demand on the audience or attract their attention through words and illustrations. Public signs is now commonly translated as "公示语". The connotation of public signs is very rich, all of which are represented by notices, instructions, displays, warnings, signs and graphic information closely related to our life, production, and ecology. Public signs have a long history and have been playing essential role in the social, cultural and economic development in different countries. With the acceleration of internationalization and the deepening of China's opening up policy to the outside world, the translation of Chinese to English public signs is increasing badly. Public signs are applied to all aspects of our life, and have played an important role of our lives in instructing, prompting, restricting and enforcing. We found the problem of Chinglish in public signs and the scope of Chinese to English bilingual public signs are getting widespread Public signs can be seen in public transportation facilities, tourist attractions, leisure places, commercial departments, sports facilities, street communities, government departments, schools and even smaller shops and streets, which embodied the importance of public signs and the necessity of using Chinese to English translation public signs.

Keywords: Chinglish; Chinese to English translation; public signs

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Introduction-1

I.-The Appearance of "Chinglish" in the Translation of Public Signs-3

A.-Vocabulary-3

1.-Improper Choice of Words-3

2.-Improper Meaning of Words-4

3.-The Confused Meaning of Denotative Words-4

B.-Sentence-5

1.-Sentence Structure-5

2.-Improper Collocation-5

II.-The Causes of "Chinglish" in the Translation of Public Signs-6

A.-The Internal Causes of Chinglish-6

1.-Differences in Language Using Habits-6

2.-Misuse of Translation Methods-6

3.-Cultural Differences between China and Western Countries-7

B.-The External Causes of Chinglish-7

1.-Lack of Coordinated Management.-7

2.-Lack of Attention to This Work-8

3.-To Save Money.-8

4.-Casual Translation-8

III.-Effective Ways to Avoid the Chinglish-10

A.-To Improve Translator’s Competency-10

B.-To Construct the Western Way of Thinking-10

C.-To Attach More Importance on the Translation of Public Signs-12

D.-To Mobilize Relevant Government Agencies and the Strenth of People-13

Conclusion-14

Biography-15

Acknowledgments-16