Idiom Translation under the Chinese
and English Cultures
Class XXX Number XXX Name XXX
Abstract: Nida, a famous translator, says, "For truly successful translation, it is much more important to familiarize two cultures than master two languages, because words are assigned meanings in its particular cultures."(Background information) This is to say, translation is closely related with not only languages but also cultures. Studies of the cultural distinction in idiom translation are still relatively weak in the field of translation in China. Exclusive research on the translation of Chinese and English idioms is still incomplete. In the last twenty years, idiom translation has mostly emphasized the level of inter-lingual communication, but cultural differences were rarely involved in it.(Identify problem) This thesis analyses the cultural differences in Chinese and English idioms, then studies English-Chinese\Chinese-English idiom translation methods(Research subject) from the angle of culture(Method) and points out some warnings concerning idiom translation: pay attention to context and choose the right version in line with the style and meaning of the original passage(Results); culture is a whole way of life, when new culture emerges, new idioms also appear, therefore idiom translation should develop with the time.(Conclusion)
Key Words: idioms; culture; translation
论英汉文化背景下的习语翻译
摘要:著名翻译学家奈达指出:“对于真正成功的翻译而言，熟悉两种文化甚至比掌握两种语言更为重要，因为词语只有在其作用的文化背景下才有意义。”也就是说，翻译不仅与语言有关也和文化有关。习语翻译中对文化差异的研究在中国的翻译领域中仍然较弱，专门对中英习语翻译的研究还不很完善。近20年来，习语翻译大多强调语际的交流，而很少涉及文化差异。本文通过分析中英习语的文化差异，进而从文化角度研究中英习语翻译方法，并指出中英习语翻译要注意的问题:联系上下文，选择与原文风格，意思相符的翻译；文化是一种生活方式，文化在变化，出现新的习语，习语翻译要与时俱进。
关键词：习语；文化；翻译
1. Introduction
Idioms universally exist in every language. An Idiom is a word or an expression that cannot be literally translated from the source language into the target language because its idiomatic meaning cannot be understood by literally defining its component parts.(Background) In a broad sense, idioms contain set phrases, proverbs, colloquialisms, slangs, maxims, allusions, etc. (YinLi, 2007:9) In Chinese, they also include enigmatic folk similes. Newmark, a British translation theorist, in his work A Textbook of Translation, said, "I define as culture the way of life and his manifestation that are peculiar to a community that uses a peculiar language as its means of expression. "(Previous research) English Idioms derives from English cultures and daily life. In real context, idioms explain themselves: nine times out of ten they carry their own explanations. If we are unaware of these, we will find ourselves in a state of confusion since we will assign literal meaning to them. The Chinese Idioms, especially the four-character idioms, have their own unique origins which are closely correlative to the Chinese history and cultures. In view of the difficulties in understanding idioms, we should pay due attention and efforts to understand their cultures and customs. (necessity)This thesis is designed to dig into the cultural differences between Chinese and English and then elaborates on the translation theories applied to idioms. (Subject )
2. A Comparison Between English and Chinese Idioms
2.1 The Cultural Differences Between English and Chinese Idioms
2.1.1 Geographical Conditions
The formation of culture is closely related with natural geographical conditions. A specific geographical environment produces a specific culture, which also leads to a particular expression.
Great Britain covers islands including the Northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France. It has a moist climate with much rainfall. Rivers and lakes are numerous. No wonder that fishery is thriving and most important in Britain. Accordingly, idioms concerning fish and navigation constitute a great part in English idioms. (LiYuping, 2008:20)(Theory/Results of previous research)
For example, "like a fish out of water". If you feel like fish out of water, you feel awkward and uncomfortable because you are in an unusual and unfamiliar situation.
Fish in the air 缘木求鱼
An odd fish 怪人
Miss the boat 错过机会
Trim the sails to the wind 顺势前进
A small leak will sink a great ship 小洞不补要沉大船 (Examples)
On the other hand, China is located in the Asian Continent and reputed as an agricultural country with a large population of peasants. It is not surprising to find many idioms relevant to farming, such as "骨瘦如柴，对牛弹琴, 众人拾柴火焰高,竹篮打水一场空......". Chinese people also have a mysterious and awe feeling for sea, so they have idioms like "海角天涯，海枯石烂，海阔天空，海底捞针，海市蜃楼......". (Analysis)
2.1.2 History
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
2.2 The Similarities Between English and Chinese Idioms
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
2.2.1 Colours
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
2.2.2 Numbers
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. Methods of Idiom Translation
Translation is far more than a science. It is also a skill, and at the ultimate analysis, fully satisfactory translation is always an art. (Nida, 1982:49) Translation is considered as the cultural bridge and media between two languages. As there are wide differences in vocabulary and syntax between English and Chinese, translation is no easy job. Therefore, in order to keep the flavor of the original as well as cater for both the Chinese and English languages, translation skills should be reasonably employed in the process of translating, such as the following translating methods:
3.1 Literal Translation
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
3.2 Free Translation
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
3.3 Translation with Notes
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
3.4 Replacement with Similar Idioms
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
3.5 The Translation of Corresponding Idioms with the Same Meaning
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
3.6 A Combination of Literal and Free Translation
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. Some Warnings Concerning Idiom Translation
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. Conclusion
One of the major characteristics identifying us as human is our ability to use language. Language plays a very important role in people’s daily life; it enables people communicate with each other and understand others' feelings. Language has close relations with culture. It is impossible to separate language from culture. As the essence of language, idioms also have close relations with culture. The contents of them range from society, history, psychology to customs and other various social phenomena. So, in the process of translation, translators should pay more attention to the cultural factors, in doing this, he can dig up the implicit meanings. (Conclusion of research) Only the cultural factors are concerned, translators can have a satisfactory translation. Besides, people should get acquaintances with the cultural background when using idioms to avoid embarrassment in communication. (Suggestions)
References
[*] 作者. 书名（英语的斜体）. （出版地：）出版社，年份：参考内容页码
[*] 作者. 文章名（英语的斜体）. 刊物名称. （出版地：）出版社，年份
[1] Li Mei. Mother tongue and translation. Shanhai: Shanhai Foreign Language Education Press, 2008
[2] Li Qingming. A Comparison of the Cultures between the Chinese and English Language. Xi'an: Northwest University of technology Press, 2007
[3] Nida Eugene. The theory and Practice of Translation. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1982
[4] Nida Eugene. Language, Culture, and Translating. Shanhai: Shanhai Foreign Language Education Press, 1993
[5] Susan Bassnett, Andre Lefevere. Translation, History, Culture. Shanghai: Shanhai Foreign Language Education Press, 1987
[6] Luo Shiping. A Research on English Idioms. Shanhai: Shanhai Foreign Language Education
Press, 2006
[7] Li Yuping. English Idioms and their Cultural Origin. Tianjin: Nankai University Press, 2008
[8] Yin Li. English-Chinese Idioms and Folk Culture. Beijing: Bejing university Press, 2007
[9] Zhang Yajun. A Kaleidoscope of Chinese Culture. Beijing: Sinolingua, 2008\
[10] 李云(Li Yun).《新编大学翻译教程》. 北京：世界知识出版社, 2007
[11] 马爱英(Ma Aiying).《中英文化翻译》. 北京：科学出版社, 2006
[12] 孙致礼(Sun Zhili).《新编英汉翻译教程》. 上海：上海外语教学出版社, 2008
[13] 王宗炎(Wang Zongyan).《英汉语文问题面面观》. 北京：北京高等教育出版社, 2006