A Study of Chinese-English Translation of Public Signs in Scenic Spots from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory

In Chinese-speaking countries and regions, bilingual public signs are widely used in public places to convey information. Many cities in China are sparing no efforts to create an "international environment" by providing bilingual public signs for foreigners. However, the inadequate translations of Chinese public signs fail to serve foreign visitors and can ruin China's international image. Therefore, Chinese-English translation of public signs is worthy of a systematic study. Adopting Jef Verschueren's Adaptation Theory as the theoretical foundation, the pragmatic point of view on language use provides this thesis with a new pragmatic perspective on Chinese-English translation of public signs, which reveals that translation is a process of continuous making of adaptive choice. The present study will discuss the features of Chinese public signs in tourist areas, examine some problems in their English translation, and explore possible solutions.