从功能翻译理论视角谈旅游翻译(3)
The booming international industry in China creates the need to translate all kinds of tourist texts of good quality and in large quantities. On account of that most foreign visitors know little about China, we need to provide well translated versions in their own language in order to arouse their interest in and admiration to China, as well as provide necessary traveling information for them. As a result, the translation of Chinese tourism texts into English is of great significance for the promotion of China’s image and the development of China’s international tourism industry.
2.2 Tourism Translation Category
2.2.1 Tourism Text Translation
Tourism text translation are often in the general,introductory and notice signs. Words in the signs are long,and have a complete meaning and context. Almost all of the signs are informative. They provide general introduction, background, ticket information and other relevant information. The goal of the translation is to provide the same information to foreign visitors. Because of the functions and goals, the translation of the signs does not need to be flamboyant;instead, it is expected to be informative and reader-oriented.
In order to pay attention to the reader’s feelings, the text should be understandable, and not be word-for-word translated. So the translation unit is not limited to a word. Because of the informative functions, translators should pay attention should pay attention to a cohesive meaning. For example, there has a clear addressee-the tourists. And the text is not translated word by word. The text offers the functions,history, different names and other information of the building, and explains the origin of the different names. Tourists do not feel the text is translated, but written for them. This agrees with Vermeer’s opinion, “Every translation is directed at an intended audience,since to translate means to ‘produce a text in a target setting for a target purpose and target addresses in target circumstance’.”(Nord 1997).
In the translation process, the unit of translation is sliding scale.Translators need to consider the purpose of the text, and thee readability among the addressees. Translators should be an expert of the source language, and also an expert of the target language. Only in this way, can they identify the translation unit and become a bridge between the source and target language.
2.2.2 Tourist Attractions Translation
China is a great country with profound history. There are not only numerous scenic attraction like picturesque mountains and rivers, but also innumerable historical and culture relics. All these are of great attraction to foreign visitors. However, due to language barriers, foreign readers usually feel it hard to understand the cultural elements presented in tourist writing. Therefore, it is worth noticing that how to translate the writing correctly. Considering the fact that average foreign visitors don’t know Chinese, we need to provide well-translated versions in their own languages so as to arouse their interest about China, and provide them with necessary traveling information.
Tourist text, which mainly provides tourism information about tourist attractions, is a public written material for the potential visitors.Generally speaking, in tourism translation, practical information may refer to useful introduction of tourist attractions and various traveling guides. In Chinese tourist texts, there are always many evaluating information which is always added with the writer’s views or remarks. It is considered to be subjective in foreign readers’opinion. Actually, Chinese high-sounding words can not offer effective tourist information and attract foreign visitors. On the contrary, descriptions in English tourist texts are written in an objective and succinct way. Concrete words and plain modifiers are used to provide a real picture of the scenery for the tourists. The English version tends to provide concrete facts and figures with a clear description.