Research on the English Translation of Chinese Public Signs Based on Face Theory

The concept of face is a principle followed in human communication. The understandings of face toward different cultural groups are different. The different understandings toward face and maintenance strategies between China and western culture are also reflected in pubic signs. Thus, when translators translate Chinese public signs into English and the face of English readers is ignored, pragmatic errors will occur in the translation. Through a comparative analysis of face between Chinese and western culture, the paper explores different public signs in China and western countries caused by the face issues. Meanwhile, the paper tries to offer suggestions for the improvement on the translation methods and strategies of translating Chinese public signs into English.