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
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
四、公示语的示意功能
限制性Restricting (dynamic)
e.g. 3 Misunderstanding
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 SEX THING 乘梯须知 MULTIPLY BY STEPS BEARD KNOW 红眼病监测站Disease of jealousy inspection station
二、公示语的语言风格
大量实用名词
售票机 Ticket Machines 注意行人 Caution Pedestrians
动词、动名词的使用
保持通畅 KEEP CLEAR 请小心台阶 PLEASE MIND YOUR STEPS
词组、短语的使用
因故停用 Out of Order 短时停车 Short stay Nhomakorabea巩固形象
谢谢您到访北京车站 Thank you for visiting Bejing Railway Station 我们关注！欢迎批评！We care! We want your comments!
五、公示语的特定功能
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.
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 导盲犬不限 Except Guide Dogs
四、公示语的示意功能
强制性Compelling (dynamic)
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)
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
Translation of Public Signs
公示语的翻译
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 English-Chinese Dictionary (1997) 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)
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. Please help us to speed up your check-in by presenting your ID card. Our guests are kindly expected to heed the rules and regulations. Your cooperation will be appreciated in making our service effectively.
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
受访者对中国英语公示语的认可度
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、公示语翻译实例 e.g. 1 Misguiding
e.g. 2 Misunderstanding
缩略语的使用
停车场 P 厕所 WC
二、公示语的语言风格
严禁使用生僻词汇
留学生公寓 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HOUSE 全自动门 Automatic Door
文字图形并用 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
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
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
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 Exchange 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