学士学位论文--cetranslationoftourismtextundertheguidanceoffunctionaltranslationtheory.doc

毕 业 论 文题 目： C-E Translation of Tourism Text under the Guidance of Functional Translation Theory 学 院： 外国语学院 专 业： 英语 姓 名： 袁婵媛 学 号： 141211124 指导老师： 董召锋 完成时间： 2013年6月10日 C-E TRANSLATION OF TOURISM TEXT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF FUNCTIONAL TRANSLATION THEORYByYuan ChanyuanA Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in EnglishUnder the Supervision of Professor Dong ZhaofengHenan University of Urban ConstructionJUNE 2013摘 要出现在20世纪70年代德国功能翻译理论从传统角度上对语言格式的翻译有了重大突破，并把翻译解释为有意行为。作为一个重大突破及对传统翻译理论的补充，德国功能翻译理论在翻译理论领域提供了一个全新的研究视角。随着2008年北京奥运会和2010年上海世博会的成功举办，越来越多的外国朋友想要了解中国。然而，旅游作为一个他国学习和了解中国的重要窗口，在中英文翻译的过程中还依然存在着一些问题。这对中国的国际形象带来了严重且负面的影响，甚至会误导外国友人对中国的误解。此篇论文旨在说明旅游文本翻译的重要性及技巧策略。它不仅为旅游文本翻译提供了理论参考，还丰富了功能翻译理论的实践应用。另外，它也让语言研究者从新的角度进行翻译的研究。关键词：德国功能翻译理论; 旅游文本; 翻译策略AbstractEmerging in 1970s , the German Functional Translation Theory has made a breakthrough in the traditional perspective of the equivalence of linguistic forms and defined translation as a deliberate behavior. As a great breakthrough and supplement to the traditional equivalence theory, it has offered a new perspective for the research on translation theory.With the successful staging of Beijing Olympics and the Opening of 2010 world Exposition in Shanghai, more and more foreign friends want to know China. However, as an important window which other countries can learn about China through the tourism texts, there are still more mistakes on the C-E translation of them. This may harm the international image of China,even lead to a misunderstanding about China from foreigners. This thesis points out the importance of translation of tourism texts. It can not only provide a theoretical reference for the translation of tourism texts, but also enrich the practical application of Functional Translation Theory, besides it also provides a new perspective for linguistic researches in translation practice.Key words: Functional Translation Theory; Tourism Text; Translation Principles and Skills Contents1.Introduction12.Translation of Tourism Text under the Guidance of Functional Translation Theory32.1 An Overview of Functional Translation Theory32.1.1 Definition32.1.2 Reiss and Her Text Typology32.1.3 Vermeer and Skopos Theory32.1.4 Nord and Her Loyalty Rule42.1.5 The Possibilities of the Functionalist Approach in Tourism Text Translation52.2 A Brief Introduction of Tourist Text52.2.1 The Classification of Tourist Test52.2.2 The Characteristics of Tourist Text52.2.3 The Function63.Translation Strategies under the Functionalist Approach73.1 Equivalence73.2 Addition83.3 Omission103.4 Paraphrase114. Conclusion13Works Cited14Acknowledgments151.IntroductionSince the reform and opening up, Chinas tourism development has been a qualitative leap; the data predict that by 2015, China will become the largest inbound host country and the worlds fourth largest outbound tourist country. The rapid development of tourism has brought opportunities and challenges. In order to better overcome the cultural differences and pass accurately and effectively to the reader the travel information and cultural information, this article tries to analyze the C-E translation strategy of tourism text from the perspective of Functional Translation, so that foreign tourists can truly understand a broad and profound Chinese culture, and create a tourism brand with Chinese characteristics to attract more tourists and promote the further development of Chinas tourism industry.With the rapid development of tourism industry and communications between people of different countries, tourist materials have become an essential means of the publicity of countries. In his book Brand leadership at state: selling France to British Tourists(Sumberg, 2004: 329-353), Carolyn Sumberg mentions that “For the first time in more than a decade, France has been overtaken by Spain as British tourists preferred holiday destination. The tourist brochure plays an important role in the promotion of a country and as such has become a key factor in an economic activity that generates significant income. There has been a deliberate effort by the Spanish tourist board, well documented by translation scholars, to maximize consideration of the appeal of their tourism materials so far as design, production and translation are concerned.”Chen Gang(陈刚）who had been working in foreign affairs and tourism offices for a long time published his Tourism Translation and Tour Guide Interpretation( 旅游翻译与涉外导游). He points out in his book that the key of tourism translation is practice which requires theoretical guidance. Jin Huikang (金惠康）is one of the most famous scholars who does special research on tourist translation. He wrote so many books such as Translation in Intercultural Communication and its sequel. Jin discusses the differences between Chinese and English languages and introduces and analyses Chinese culture and translation, classic literature, art, religion folk cultures and how to translation them into English. This paper mainly includes three parts: Part One is an overview of functional translation theory, Part Two is the characteristics of tourist text and its function, Part Three is translation strategies under the functionalist approach. In this article, it analyzes mainly through listing examples and specific illustration in order to make us well understand and puts forward some suggestions to solve the C-E translation problems.2.Translation of Tourism Text under the Guidance of Functional Translation Theory2.1 An Overview of Functional Translation Theory2.1.1 DefinitionWhat is Functional Translation Theory? The theory was originated in Germany in the 1970s, the founder was the translation theorist K. Reiss, and other major representative figures such as Vermeer and Nord, etc. Functional Translation Theory stresses that translation is a special social form, involving three types of texts: the original language, the pattern of text and the translation text.2.1.2 Reiss and Her Text TypologyK. Reiss is the founder of the Functional translation theory. She firstly combined the language function with translation, and differed the text in different functions, which makes the translator more sensitive to language mark of Communicative functions and the composition of the functional translation unit, at last helping translator have a proper form for a equivalent criteria right with the specific translation purpose.In 1971, in her book Translation Criticism: The Potentials and Limitation, Reiss develops a model of translation criticism based on the functional relationship between source and target text(Nord, 1997:9). Reiss insists that the ideal translation should be equivalent between the TL (target language) and SL( source language) text with the conceptual content, linguistic form, and it can serve to realize the communicative function as SL text. Just like many traditional theorists, she obviously still takes equivalence as the basis. Hans J. Vermeer developed the Skopos Theory, and a more systematic and integrated functionalist approach came into being.2.1.3 Vermeer and Skopos TheoryReiss is a pioneer of Functionalist theory, but Hans J. Vermeer makes the most important theory of the Functional translation theory: Skopos Theory. Since linguistics alone cannot solve all the translation problems, Hans J. Vermeer considers translation as a type of human action, an intentional, purposeful behavior that takes place in a given situation; it is a part of the situation at the same time as it modifies the situation. Accordingly, he developed the Skopos theory:“Any form of translational action, including therefore translation itself, may be conceived as an action, as the name implies. Any action has an aim, a purpose. The word Skopos, then, is a technical term for the aim or purpose of a translation. Further: An action leads to a result, a new situation or event, and possibly a new object.” (Vermeer, 1989:173)In the theory, the receiver, who is the intended receiver of the TT, becomes one of the primary factors that determines the purpose of translation. As a sharp contrast to Reisss belief that the ST is a measure of all things in translation, the ST in Vermeers Skopos theory is only an “offer of information” which may be partially or wholly transferred to the target audience. (Vermeer, 1982:12)2.1.4 Nord and Her Loyalty RuleChristian Nord introduces the “loyalty rule” into functionalism in her effort to defend the functionalist approach against potential accusations. “Function” here refers to the factors that make a TT work in the intended way in the target situation, and “loyalty” refers to the interpersonal relationship between the translator, the source-text sender, the target-text addresses and the initiator (Nord, 1997:126). By introducing the loyalty principle into the general framework of functional translation theory, Nord manages to find a balance and answer those critics who accuse functionalism of being radical by giving the translator too much freedom to do whatever his or her clients wish to do, because the loyalty principle takes account of the legitimate interests of the three parties involved: the initiator, the target receivers and the original author. If there is any conflict between the interests of the three partners of the translation, the translator has to mediate, and where necessary, to seek the understanding of all sides.2.1.5 The Possibilities of the Functionalist Approach in Tourism Text TranslationAs a kind of practical writing, tourism texts have clear purposes and functions, so the functionalist theory is quite suitable and can be applied to it. In order to realize the purposes of tourism texts translation, the translated text must meet the conventions of the target language. This paper lays emphasis on the application of the functionalist theory in the translation of tourism translation: 1. Fulfill the intended functions of the source text; 2. Faithful and loyal to the original text; 3. Avoid jargons and ambitious; 4. Remove cultural barriers. Then according to these principles, functional translation is selected as the translation strategy which includes literal translation, free translation and domestication. Abundant examples are offered to demonstrate the application of the functionalist theory in translation tourism text. Therefore, the functionalist theory, as a practical form of translation theory, can be applied to the translation of tourism texts.2.2 A Brief Introduction of Tourist Text2.2.1 The Classification of Tourist TestTourism text translation is broad, including dynamic tourist information and static tourist information. The former contains guide, commentary, consulting. shopping guide, conference interpretation, alternate interpretation, simultaneous interpretation; while the latter tourism ads, tour brochure, tourism language scripts, tourism website construction, tourist map, public signs, restaurant menu,etc.2.2.2 The Characteristics of Tourist TextIn the perspective of the Theory of Function，the translation text is divided into different types, and the text function and the methods of translation are inherently related. It can be said that different types of text have different purposes, translation principles and strategies. The evaluation criteria are different, ultimately it all focuses on the effectiveness of whether the translation can achieve the purpose and intended functions or not. Thus, in analyzing the text of the translation, it is necessary to analyze the type of tourist text. To clear the type can help us choose the right translation method. According to Reisss Functional Translation Theory, the text can be divided into three types: informative, expressive and vocative text. (According to the English wordss literal meaning, we can learn that the informative texts just transfer some information to the target reader; the expressive texts transfer information to the target reader with some emotion; and the vocation texts not only transfer information with emotion, but also implies or contains some things that encourage and stimulate target readers to do.) Reisss Functional Translation Theory was also described as the main language functions under the different types of text. Her statement of the language function is divided into representation, expression and persuasion. The three types of language function is a general concept. In practice the three types are often intertwined, namely: the original text may contain both types of text, or text features of both types.The main purpose of tourism text is to pass information and evoke interest in the tourists, so it can be mainly considered as information and operational types, but it does not mean that the expressive text will be not contained.2.2.3 The FunctionSpecifically, the tourist literature includes two functions: The first is the transmission of information; the second is to influence and induce action. For example, the main function of the guidebook and tourism ads is influence, and it also combines the features of information and expression. Its purpose is to provide information to attract tourists, stimulate their interests in sightseeing. However, as hotel signs , tours and other text data, the dominant feature is the information function. Tourism has a distinct sense of the times, nationality, culture and local characteristics. Tourism English is closely linked to tourism, and also has a corresponding unique language style.3.Translation Strategies under the Functionalist ApproachBased on Skopos theories and the features of tourism text, this paper explores the applicability of Skopos theories on the tourism text translation, suggesting that it can be used as a guide for tourism text. The translators, according to the theory, may adopt different translation strategies to serve their purposes. Skopos is a Greek word for “purpose” and Skopos theories are the theories that apply the nation of Skopos to translation whose prime principle determining any translation process is the purpose (Skopos) of the overall translational action (Nord,2011:27). The basic idea of these theories, when used in translation, can be summarized as follows (Nord,2001: 18-36): Translation is an international, interpersonal, partly verbal intercultural interaction based on the source text. But this text is no longer the first an