Abstract: By analyzing some instances of translation concerning cosmetics directions, this paper has discussed the problem of English translation of cosmetics directions by applying deductive and inductive methods. At first, on the basis of German Functional Translation Theory by Reiss et al, the paper explored the functions of cosmetics’ directions and given a stylistic description of the language features of this style. The research shows that cosmetics’ directions has informative function, expressive function and appellative function. In order to strengthen expressive power, in cosmetics directions, at lexical level, professional terms & compound words are often used; at syntactic level, imperative sentences and elliptical sentences occur frequently. What’s more, by the analysis of examples extracted from domestic cosmetics directions, this study focuses on analyzing the translation principles and skills of cosmetic products’ directions. The translator should follow the principles of “loyalty and coherence”, being succinct and use the skill of amplification. Besides, considering that cosmetic directions belongs to practical writing, translators ought to take account of inter-cultural communication factors so that there is equivalence in the ideographic function of cosmetics’ directions between source text and target text.

Key words: directions of cosmetic products; Functional Translation Theory; translation principle; translation method

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction.1

2. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework.2

2.1 A Brief Account of Functional Translation Theory

2.2 Previous Study on Translation of Cosmetics’ Directions

2.3 Characteristics of Cosmetics’ Directions

3. Functions and Translation of Cosmetics’ Directions ..5

3.1 Informative Function of Cosmetics’ Directions

3.2 Expressive Function of Cosmetics’ Directions

3.3 Appellative Function of Cosmetics’ Directions

4. Translation Principles and Strategies of Cosmetics’ Directions 8

4.1 Principles 

  4.1.1 Principle of Loyalty

  4.1.2 Principle of Coherence

  4.1.3 Principle of Being Succinct

4.2 Strategies

  4.2.1 Strategy of Amplification

  4.2.2 Strategy of Deletion

5. Conclusion12

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgments14