On the Translation of English Idioms 英语习语的翻译.doc

on the translation of english idiomsauthor: supervisor: a thesissubmitted as a partial fulfillment ofthe requirement for the degree of b.a. in englishinformation engineering collegefuyang teachers college, anhui provincemay, 2013 学位论文英语习语的翻译 指导教师姓名 职 称 副教授单 位 阜阳师范学院外国语学院专 业 名 称 英语教育 申请学级别 学士学位授予单位 阜阳师范学院信息工程学院2013年5月on the translation of english idiomsabstractidioms, widely recognized as the essence or the crystallization of language, and an indispensable part of a language, are fixed sentences or phrases which have been refined through ages of use. the chinese translation of english idioms is a controversial issue for ages. the research of idiom translation is helpful to the proper comprehension of idioms. we should master not only some basic translation techniques, but also the features of english idioms, which refer to semantic unity and structural stability, so as to make the translation of idioms much to the point and vivid. understanding these characteristics is of important practical value to the translation. the thesis is devoted to the introduction of chinese translation methods of english idioms and the translation principle based on the application of nidas functional equivalence and the characteristics of english idioms. it is hoped that this paper can make its due contribution to translation studies, particularly idiom translation.key words: idioms; functional equivalence; translation methods 英语习语的汉译内容摘要习语是语言的精华,是语言中不可分割的部分,是经过长时间的使用而提炼出来的固定短语或短句。英语习语的汉译问题历来是一个具有争议的话题。对习语翻译的研究,有助于正确理解习语的含义。如何使习语的翻译既贴切又传神,除了掌握一些基本的翻译技巧外,还应充分认识和把握英语习语的独有特征,即语义的整体性和结构的稳定性,充分认识和把握习语的这些特征无疑对翻译具有重要的实用价值。本文拟通过对英语习语的特点的探讨,结合美国翻译理论家尤金奈达功能对等的理论和习语的翻译实践,重点介绍英语习语汉译的惯常方法,英语习语汉译应遵循的原则。希望为翻译工作者的实践提供有价值的参考。关键词: 习语; 尤金奈达; 功能对等; 翻译方法on the translation of english idiomsthesis statementlanguage can never be separated from culture，for language is the mirror of culture. it is commonly accepted that an idiom is a group of words with the meaning different form the combined meanings of its component words.outline. introduction. general understanding of idioma. the definition of idiomb. characteristics of idioms1. semantic unity2. structural stability . application of nidas theories in idiom translationa. nidas view on functional equivalenceb. nidas view on translation and culturec. understanding the chinese translation of english idioms in a cultural context1. definitions of culture2. translation of idioms in a cultural context. tactics for translating english idioms a. literal translationb. free translationc. the combination of literal and free translation . conclusionon the translation of english idioms.introductionidioms are the cream of a language as well as the crystallization of human wisdom. english idioms, which are originated in local speakers, carry profound cultural implications. without idioms our language would become dull and dry. “idioms usually carry more impact than non-idiomatic expressions because of their close identification with a particular language and culture.”(nida 28) most idioms contain an extremely rich and profound meaning, as well as a vivid image. idioms are widely used in a variety of stylistics and occasions, such as writings and speeches, so an appropriate use of them in speeches and writings will add variety, strength and vividness of the language. both chinese and english abound with idioms. as idioms hold an important position in language use, an adequate translation of idioms is not only helpful but also essential in intercultural communication. if they are translated properly, the original cultural flavor will be faithfully conveyed, clearly understood and easily accepted by the target language readers. understanding and translation of idioms, therefore, are becoming increasingly important.the thesis includes four chapters and a conclusion.the first part gives a full picture of idioms. to make people better understand idioms, this part first discuss the definitions of english idioms, and then introduce the characteristics of idioms.the second part is a literature review. in the authors opinion, nida is the one who has presented his theories most practically, clearly and deeply, although there are also some voices of opposition to him. in this part, the author will introduce nidas translation theories in different period of time. and the author will focus on introducing his views about functional equivalence which guide the research of idiom translation, his view on translation and culture will also be discussed.the third, the main part of this thesis, discusses translation methods employed in translating english idioms into chinese. in this chapter, the author will give a lot of examples to prove and better expound relevant arguments, and explain when and why to use these methods: literal translation or free translation, or the combination of them. this part totally introduces three translation methods employed in idiom translation with examples based on nidas functional equivalence.the last part summarizes the main content of this thesis. general understanding of idioma. the definition of idiomidioms, refined and sanctified through long usage, are vivid and expressive. they are crystallization of national culture and gems of language. like a mirror, they reflect the national characteristics embodied in a language and are thus heavily culture-loaded. idioms are rich in cultural connotation and national flavor. to some extent, idioms are the reflection of the environment, life, social history, political economy, religious beliefs and traditional customs. they are commonly used in all types of language, formal and informal, written and spoken. that is why its difficult to command the language. english and chinese are both abundant in idioms. so its difficult to give a clear definition to the word “idiom”. according to oxford advanced learners dictionary of current english(2002), “idiom” refers to “phrase or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit,”the british translation theorist, peter newmark had also said: “an idiom is a current and frequently used group of words whose meaning is not clear from the common meanings of its constituent words.”from above, we can reach a consensus view that the meaning of an idiom is different from the literal meaning despite of the difference in language. in my opinion, idioms, an important factor, has the style of a particular country or region in a language. in laymans terms, every word that we can recognize, however, when they are grouped together, we will not know what that means. in addition, idioms can be words, phrases, as well as sentences.b. the characteristics of idioms in english, there are a number of idioms. the accurate use of them can add aptitude for writing and play a vivid effect. english idioms have two notable features: semantic unity and structural stability, which idiom meaning must be reflected through a fixed set of words. however, this embodies the meaning of an idiom is not simply the combination of the meanings of each word contained in it. its semantic sometimes embodies through metaphor and sometimes deviate from the logic even no analogy. as a result, its quite different from the original meaning even have no relevance with it. therefore, to understand the english idioms, we must avoid getting the semantic form the surface meaning.1. semantic unity idioms are mainly characterized by their semantic unity. the so-called semantic unity, which means idioms function as a unit of meaning, and must be understood as a whole. its overall significance often can not speculate from the meaning of each word composed idioms, such as: “show the white feature” (显示胆怯), and can not use other words instead of any word of itsemantic unity is a very important aspect of english idioms. the meaning of english idioms can be summarized as the following two characteristics: (1) mostly, the meaning of english idioms owes duality, both literal meaning and idiom meaning. two meanings are quite different. the literal meaning of a rainy day is a rainy day, but the idioms meaning is difficult time; literally miss the boat means mistakenly ship and idioms righteousness lost opportunity ; give some one a kick means make someone feel happy, literally means like “kicking someone a kick. if you do not know the idiom meaning, its difficult to understand and translate idioms. (2) the meaning of the idiom is holistic, that is to say, not a simple sum of the meaning of each word that composed english idioms, such as rain cats and dogs (倾盆大雨) know the rope (懂行), play to the gallery (讨好观众), blow ones mind (使惊讶), bring down the house (博得全场喝彩) ,etc. to change one word, it lost the meaning of the idiom. 2. structural stabilityenglish idioms are constituted by the structured and fixed phrases .generally speaking, they can not swap the order or apart, even that replacing them with the synonyms is likely to lose the original intent.for example, in the idiom a stitch in time saves nine, it is impossible to say “a stitch in time saves ten” or “a stitch on time saves nine” in the idiom to kick the bucket if the word bucket is replaced by pail, the meaning of the idiom will no longer mean “die”; the idiom i am good friends with him is irregular or illogical in its grammatical structure. i is singular; why then is the correct form in this case not i am a good friend with him? this form is impossible although it is more logical; we should have to say i am a good friend of his. a native speaker is not consciously aware of this inconsistency. some countable nouns in idioms is singular, not the plural form, such as red tape (繁琐的公文程序), it can not be said to be it was a red tape or there are a lot of tapes”. and also, “jump the gun “can only use the singular form, which can not be said as “they jump the guns.” idioms are originally plural form can not be changed to a singular, for example, “put on airs”(摆臭架子), can not be said as of “he puts on the air.”some idioms structure violates the normal rules of grammar, but they still have been applied to use today for example, by and large (大概), a preposition and an adjective are tied for use in violation of the rules of grammar. examples of such room and to spare (很有余地) ，like cures like (以毒攻毒), and so on, are refined representatives of languages.idioms verb or verb idioms, are not free to voice conversion. some idioms converted by voice, its idiom meaning disappeared. for example:, he puts his heart and soul into education (他一心扑在教育上), if voice conversion his heart and soul is put by him into education, this sentence has lost the meaning of the idiom wholeheartedly on .the analogous idioms such as hit the roof (大发雷霆), come to the rescue (帮助。援助), and so on. application of nidas theories in idiom translationa. nidas view on functional equivalencethe theory of “functional equivalence” is put forward by eugene a. nida, the outstanding american translation theorist and linguist. the translation theory has made great influence on translation in western countries, and his works on translation also have made great contribution to the field of translation. the theory is proposed in the book of toward a science of translating, he says: “in such a translation (dynamic equivalent translation)one is not so much concerned with matching the receptor-language message with the source message, but with the dynamic relationship, and the relationship between receptor and message should be substantially the same as that which existed between the original receptors and message(nida 161).”he used the expression “functional equivalence” to replace “dynamic equivalence” to emphasize the concept of function.functional equivalence gives translators much flexibility and freedom. many translators used to abide by the strict formal equivalence in order to keep “faithful” to the st, and their focus is on the form of st. therefore, the translation is st oriented. as a result, the reader may find the tt obscure, even unintelligible .on the other hand, functional equivalence is not only the equivalence that tied down to the st form, but even wider. it is more interested in the message of the text. the translators dont have to stick to the form of the source text, as well as the meaning is conveyed to the target language readers.nida made further explanation about the theory of functional equivalence in 1993.he believes that there is no absolute equivalence in two methods of translations, what we can achieve equivalence is just one goal for the translators to pursue. at least, functional equivalence should achieve full equivalence in the translated text, to make the same effect on the translated text for the audience or readers as the original audience or readers. its minimal is “the readers of a translated text should be able to comprehend it to the point that they can conceive of how the original readers of the text must have understood and appreciated it.”(nida 87).in fact the maximal definition is just ideal, because higher degree differences of language and culture exist in the source language and target language, so the highest levels of equivalence almost is impossible to pursue. in a word, the main ideas about the functional equivalence theory can be summarized as follows:(1)to achieve the greatest degree of equivalence between the source text and the original text;(2)equivalence of content information is always prior to form equivalence,(3) the criteria to evaluate the translation is reaction from the receptors to the translated text.b. nidas view on translation and culturethe research of translation theory has gone through a long time. a qualified translator should be not only bicultural, but also bilingual, and only in this way, can he/she make a good translation. nida, as a most authoritative linguist, translators, translation theorist and practitioner, also attaches much importance to cultural effect on translation.language is a part of culture. nida, attaches much importance to cultural factors in the research of translation. because if there is not sufficient knowledge of the two cultures involved, translating from one language into another cannot be done very well. he holds that the cultural factors in translating are more significant than the purely linguistic differences. according to nida, the biggest problems in translating are usually made not because of verbal inadequacies, but of the lack of cultural knowledge. it can be illustrated in the idiom translation. for example :“their boss pays the highest wages, but he wants his pound of flesh in return and makes them work very hard. ”which comes from shakespeares comedy the merchant of venice. the idiom “pound of flesh” in it, means “to insist cruelly on repayment of what was borrowed, literally, it is“割肉还债；残酷榨取”and its implied meaning is“合法而不合理的要求”or“合情但悖于情理的要求”in chinese. and if you say that he is “as mute as fish”, you are emphasizing that he is in different or he is silent, it can be translated into“他是个冷漠的人”or“他默不做声”in chinese. without careful consideration of their cultural backgrounds, the translator cannot understand those idioms adequately. therefore, “for truly successful translating, biculturalism is much more important than bilingualism ,since words only have meanings in terms of the cultures in which they function.”(nida 82)that is, “only by being in the countries in which a foreign language is spoken can one acquire the necessary sensitivity to the many special meanings of words and phrases.”cultural differences have lead many difficulties to translation. and only by cultural adjustments and modifications, can we successfully reach the goal of “functional equivalence” or go near to its requirements. that is just the close connection between the two important aspectsfunctional equivalence and cultural factors in nidas views on idioms translation.according to nida, differences of culture may be a reason for having marginal notes in a translated text. that is to say, its very difficult for you to find a proper word or sentence to transfer the meaning, so you have to add an annotation. for example, “to meet ones waterloo”means“to have a miserable failure”or“to have a crashing defeat” (一败涂地，遭到惨败),it comes from a famous battle in 1815 called napoleans last battle, whereby napolean had a miserable failure which led to his eventual failure. c. understanding the chinese translation of english idioms in a cultural context 1. definitions of cultureculture is an extremely broad, abstract, complex concept and an enormous subject. so its very difficult to give it a strict and precise definition. many scholars, such as philosophers, sociologists, anthropologists, historians, and linguists have been trying to define the concept of culture from all perspective of their respective disciplines. however, so far no consensus has been reached upon a generally satisfied definition. according to statistics, there are at least more than 200 various definitions of “culture”. broadly speaking, culture is a social phenomenon, the product of peoples long-term creation. but its also a history phenomenon, the product of the accumulation of social history. precisely speaking, culture refers to a country or a nations history, geography, customs, traditions and customs, lifestyles, literature and art, code of conduct, ways of thinking, values, ect.the 19-centry anthropologists, edward burnett tylor, provided in the first paragraph in his primitive culture:“ culture .is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, mora