Modern Social Science Research

With the rapid economic development of China, the number of cities with subway systems has increased significantly. The subway is not only an important part of public transportation but also a crucial window for displaying urban culture and image. In view of this, the accuracy and cultural adaptability of subway station name translations are of great significance for enhancing the effectiveness of international city promotion. This study categorizes subway station names into four types and conducts an in-depth analysis of the reasons behind the changes in the English translations of these names by comparing recent translations in major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, and others. The study finds that changes in station name translations not only reflect updates in language policies but are also influenced by factors such as cost, public opinion, and mainstream translation trends. This research provides a new perspective for understanding cultural changes in the process of urbanization and offers valuable insights for the internationalization of urban public signage systems.

Subway station names; Name translation; Cultural dissemination