A Study of the Chinese-English Translation of Public Signs in Scenic Spots in Guangzhou From the Perspective of Skopos Theory

Abstract

Public signs, as the name card demonstrating the cultural quality and spiritual outlook of a city, play a crucial role in the external publicity of Guangzhou, an International metropolis in South China. With more and more tourists travelling to Guangzhou, the translation quality of public signs in scenic spots has become increasingly important. This paper, focusing on the public signs in scenic spots in Guangzhou, first analyzes the Chinese to English translation of public signs and finds out the translation problems and corresponding causes, then gives some suggestions on the translation methods and strategies of the Chinese to English translation of public signs in scenic spots accordingly. It is hoped that this study can provide some implications for pedagogical application and be helpful for those who follow closely the translation of public signs.