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2 .Literature Review
2.1 An overview on functional equivalence
Functional equivalence is the core of a famous translation theory which was proposed by American linguist master Eugene • Nida (Eugene Nida). His translation theory have a great impact in the sixties and seventies of the 20th century. His publication is always on the list of required reading in the most reputable translation institution throughout the world. Nida’s translation theory has been highly valued and has influenced the practice of translation in general. the concept of “functional equivalence” can be traced back to dynamic equivalence which is one of Nida’s main achievements in the study of translation. The definition of functional equivalence can be comprehended from this three steps as lists:
a. One must understand the two relationship of both two parties:the relationship between target receptors and source language and the relationship between the original receptors and the original message.
b. In a dynamic-equivalence translation, one must focus on the double relationship more than on matching the receptor-language with the source-language message.
c. The dynamic relationship between receptor and message should be roughly equivalent to the relationship between the original receptor and the message.
Nida interprets that the dynamic-equivalence translation must clearly reflect the meaning and the intent of the source. In another word, the notion of dynamic equivalence is the closest natural equivalent to the source-language message. The three essential terms of dynamic equivalence translation include equivalent, natural, and closest. They can be understood as follows:
a. “Equivalent” means equal to source language text文献综述
b. “Natural” means natural target language for receptor. A natural language translation must take the three factors into consideration: (1) the receptor language and culture at large; (2)the context of the receptor-language text; (3)the readers or listener of the receptor language.
c. Based on the highest degree of approximation, “closest” binds the source-language text and the receptor-language text together that is the word “closest”
Requires the receptor-language message to be the closest equivalent to the source-language message.
“Functional equivalence” is the core concept of Nida’s theory. The so-called “functional equivalence” does not seek rigid surface corresponding to the text rather than to say when the translation, from the two kinds of language, what the translator should achieve is to reach functional equivalence between the two language parties.
2.2 A review on public signs
In Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2005), a sign refers to “a piece of paper metal, or wood with words or a picture that gives people information,warnings or instructions.” According to English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, a sign means a flat object with words or pictures on it, put in a public place to provide information or advertise something. Barry Cray, the chairperson of the 145 Technical Committee of ISO, proclaims that “signs are anything form the simplest way-finding or information ‘makers’ to the technically sophisticated communication of a message. Signing affects everybody-travelers =, shoppers, visitors, drivers etc, whether in the course of business or pleasure”(lv and Jiang 20) In general, There are two functions in public signs. The informative function, conveying information, is primary function of public signs. It focuses on the content of the message, stating what it is and what happens. (De Waard &Nida 20) The vocative function, which was given many other names such as “conative”, “instrumental”, “operative”, “pragmative” and “imperative”, focuses on a change in the behavior of the public who respond to the content of the message and the impact of its form. In a sense, it is designed to call on the public to act, think of feel(Newmark and De 86 98 ). Vocative function of public signs can be pided into the prompting, warning, restricting and compelling functions.来!自~751论-文|网www.751com.cn