Cultural Factors on Translation of English Idioms 浅析英语习语翻译中的文化因素.doc

毕业论文评语及成绩学生姓名王云静专业英语班 级方0355-02学 号方20036419毕业设计（论文）题目浅析英语习语翻译中的文化因素cultural factors on translation of english idioms指导教师姓 名张立胜指导教师职 称讲师指导教师评语：专家评语： 签字： 年 月 日答辩小组意见：答辩小组组长签字： 年 月 日成绩： 院长(主任) 签字：年 月 日毕业论文任务书题目浅析英语习语翻译中的文化因素cultural factors on translation of english idioms 专 业英语班 级方0355-02学生姓名王云静承担指导任务单位外语系导师姓名张立胜导师职称讲师icontentthis paper presents cultural factors on english idioms, comparison with chinese idioms and some principles and methods on translation.ii requirements1. number of words:3000-50002. structure:introduction;main text;divided into chapters;conclusion3. argument:correct and clear art4. grounds of argument:sufficient and solidiv. bibliographynidar, eugene.language, culture and translation. a shanghai: shanghai foreign language education press, 1993孙会军，郑庆珠.议论研究中的文化转向j中国翻译，2000平洪，张国扬.英语习语与英美文化m北京：外语教育与研究出版社，1999冯庆华.实用翻译教程（增订本）m上海：上海外语教育出版社，2000v. scheduleoutline: finished on december 31st,2006first draft: finished on march 31st,2007second draft: finished on april 25th,2007final draft: finished on may 31st,2007教研室主任签字时间 年 月 日毕业论文开题报告题目浅析英语习语翻译中的文化因素cultural factors on translation of english idioms专 业英语班 级方0355-02学生姓名王云静i literary reviewnidar, eugene.language, culture and translation. a shanghai: shanghai foreign language education press, 1993孙会军，郑庆珠.议论研究中的文化转向j中国翻译，2000平洪，张国扬.英语习语与英美文化m北京：外语教育与研究出版社，1999冯庆华.实用翻译教程（增订本）m上海：上海外语教育出版社，2000ii expected results1. distinguish the cultural factors between english and chinese idioms2. to promote the development of the culture between chinese and western countriesiii. methodologyinduction; deduction; contrastive method; illustration;classificationiv. scheduleoutline: finished on december 31st,2006first draft: finished on march 31st,2007second draft: finished on april 25th,2007final draft: finished on may 31st,2007指导教师签字时 间 年 月 日abstractidiom is a fixed，unique special pattern used in the course of language development. idioms are discussed in this paper in a broad sense, including idioms,proverbs,parole and other phrases. english language has a long history, it contains a lot of idioms that are implicated，humorous，serious and elegant. they are not only concise, but also vivid，horizontal and groovy. derived from different geography,history,religion customs and other aspects of living, english and chinese idioms not only carry the cultural characteristics and cultural information, but also are closely linked by their own culture traditions. idioms of the cultural factors are often difficult to understand and translate. this paper attempts to explore some points of the cultural factors on the translation of english idioms by dint of some language theories.keywords: idiom; translation; intercultural communication1 摘要 成语是某一语言在使用过程中形成的独特的固定的表达方式。本文所要讨论的成语是广义的，包括习语谚语歇后语典故等。英汉两种语言历史悠久，它包含着大量的成语，他们或含蓄或幽默，或严肃或典雅，不仅言简意赅，而且形象生动，妙趣横生，给人一种美的享受。由于地理历史宗教信仰生活习俗等方面的差异，英汉成语承载着不同的民族文化特色和文化信息，他们与文化传统紧密相连，不可分割 。成语代表文化底蕴，是人们在劳动中积累起来的宝贵财富，英汉成语相通互补，形神合一，这让我们在学习和使用英语成语时更能体味它的感情及其所包含的魅力。成语中的文化因素往往是翻译中的难点，本文试图就英汉成语中的文化因素差异对英语成语的翻译作一些探索。关键词：习语;翻译;跨文化交际contentsintroduction1chapter 1.idioms scopes and classification21.1 the scope21.2 classification3chapter 2.cultural factors42.1 culture reflect the sources of idioms42.2 the main resources52.3 comparison with chinese idioms52.4 differences on cultural factors of english and chinese idioms62.4.1 differences in survival environment62.4.2 differences in customs72.4.3 differences in religious belief82.4.4 differences in historical events9chapter 3.principles and methods on translation103.1 metaphase103.2 metaphase & explanation103.3 equivalent borrow-in113.4 free translation11conclusion11notes12bibliography13acknowledgement14cultural factors on translation of english idiomsintroductionamerican philosophy professor h.p.grice divided word meaning into “natural meaning” and non-natural meaning in his book meaning. words non-natural meaning refers to the meaning that people desire to the communicative intention (implied meaning).thats the basis of grices conversational implication theory. because there are different cultural backgrounds between two languages, the word has the same literal meaning or image meaning but with different implicated meaning. it is implicated meaning that the exact true meaning the speaker or the writer wants to express. according to graces observation, many of the differences between english and chinese idioms can be grouped into two categories: first: the differences of image meaning; second: the differences of implied meaning. they are both beyond the literal meaning, and they are the specific reflection of cultural differences. proceeding from this, this paper presents cultural factors on english idioms, comparison with chinese idioms and some principles and methods on translation.1. definition of english idiomsan english idiom is a phrase with a special meaning different from the meanings of its constituent words. most english idioms are stable, the words in an idiom cannot be added, deleted, replaced, or put in different order without changing or destroying the meaning.2. the usage of english idioms.idiom of a particular language is a part of the culture of the language community. as they are hard to be generalized, they always pose a problem to non-native speakers in their comprehension and application. for this reason it is important to regard idioms as a part of a learners equipment for listening and reading. as a linguist puts it:“nothing makes a foreigner more than his unnecessary use of idioms”.idioms are used in almost every second：informal time, formal, colloquial, popular in usages. sometimes some idioms can be alternated, e.g.: a doctor in time saves nine.chapter 1. idioms scopes and classificationidioms are words or phrases of vigorous, colorful, facetious or taboo nature, invented for specific occasions or uses. an american scholar once said：“for native speakers idiom is a part of everyday speech. being lively and expressive, its very popular.” there are about 4000 idioms often used in english society. the main are colloquial and free in verse. the scope and classification of idioms are discussed here.1.1 the scope:in broad sense, idiom contains.1.1.1proverb,slang,saying,maxim,quotations that have integrated meanings.e.g.: brevity is the soul of wit.the game is not worth the candle.form each according to his ability and to each according to his needs. also include: proverbs abbreviating, e.g.:it is no use crying over split milk.cry over spilt milk.1.1.2. set phrase: e.g.: carry out/the ins and outs/in order toit also includes: twin words, irreversible binomials or words in pairs as said by h.w.fowler an english scholar that compare to siamese twins and he called them hendiadys. e.g.: beer and skittles/weal and woe1.1.3. words that have special meaning or functions: e.g.: whos who/landside/wire-pulling. there are some trinomials pertain to idioms. e.g.: sun, moon and stars/on land, on sea and in the sky/eat, drink and be merry/wine, woman and song.1.2 classification of idioms:1.2.1. phrase idioms1.2.1.1. verb phrase idioms: e.g.: break up/look into/stand up withmost of the verb phrase idioms formed by native words are often nearly synonymous with words of latin origin: e.g.: work out=calculate/turn down=reject/do away with=abolish. these verb phrases or phrasal idioms are usually more expressive than single loan verbs: e.g.: look into vs. investigate/look up to vs. respect/step down vs. resign;1.2.1.2. noun phrase idioms:e.g.: the salt of the earth/tooth and nail a piece of cake/neither fish, flesh nor fowl.1.2.1.3. adjective phrase idioms: e.g.: free and easy/far and wide high and low/fair and square1.2.1.4. prepositional phrase idioms: through thick and thin/under ones own steam/by hook and by crook/on the one hand, on the other hand1.2.2. clause idioms: get even with/foot the bill/come clean a heavy blow/red-handed caught/ beat so black and blue1.2.3. sentence idioms: easy come, easy go. /early bird catches the worm. /a bird in hand is worth two in the bush/no man is rich enough to buy back his past.chapter 2. cultural factorslanguage is a part of its culture, and also plays an important role in culture. some sociologist views that: language is the basis of the nations cultural content 1.in the event of no language, there will be no culture: on the other hand: culture affect its language. some linguist holds the point that: a language reflects the nations characteristics, it not only reflect the national history and its custom background, but also implicate the nations viewpoint about human beings: how to live, think and communicate. language and culture affect each and mutually. the sources of idioms and cultural factors reflection are reviewed here. three parts are discussed in the following:2.1 culture reflect the sources of idiomsthere are some characteristics of most idioms:2.1.1 idiomaticity in the long term in history. some idioms come into being 2000 years ago. e.g.: time flies like an arrow/art is long, life is short.2.1.2 structural stability (syntactic frozenness). idiom is determined by idiomaticity. e.g.: sword for sword/tit for tat/diamond cut diamond.2.1.3 semantic unity. idiom is also called fused words. linguistists hold: understand the meaning of idiom must understand it wholly, because idiom meaning is the combination of word meaning and unity phrase meaning. e.g.: rain cats and dogs. (meaning: rain heavily); wear ones heart upon ones sleeve (meaning: show ones feeling plainly)2.2 the resources of english idioms mainly come from the next five points.2.2.1. everyday life:this sort accounts for large part of english idioms. it is a large number in idioms. e.g.: give somebody the cold shoulder/answer the call of nature. /all that glitters is not gold.2.2.2. farming. e.g.: go to seed/a hard nut/no pains, no gains.2.2.3. fables, myths and legends: these sorts mainly come from greek myth, rome myth. some scholars considered as loanword. e.g.: a pandoras boxes. /sour grapes. / the lions share. and so on.2.2.4. bible.western people believe in “jesus”, so bible is the essential book for them. so there are plentiful idioms from bible: e.g.: noahs ark/a drop in the bucket/a judas kiss.2.2.5. shakespeare and other great writers: e.g.: to be or not to be/never say die/hit the mark/out of joint2.3. comparison with chinese idioms.heres a chart to illustrate the differences:english idiomchinese idiomdefinitionin introductionidiomatic set phrases, succinct structuresourcein last page8same(biblepoetry)usagein introductionin formal or writing occasionsclearly, almost every aspect are the same, the most different part is the cultural factors of their own countries.2.4. differences on cultural factors of english and chinese idioms.“idiom just like a mirror”, said by american translator lawrence venuti: it reflects by national cultural characteristics. the differences of english and chinese idioms explain the point. they boil down into several points.zhu guangqian said in his article a translation discourse :“the most difficult thing to understand and translate foreign literature is: association meaning.” it carries a special emotional atmosphere, profound and delicate, which can not be found out in dictionary, however extremely important in literature. if we are not familiar with a countrys customs and culture background of its history background, we can not understand the words special meaning; especially can not deal with the translation of the words exactly.” british anthropologist edward taylor in the primitive culture raised“culture”as a originated, and described concept as follows: “culture is complex, which includes knowledge, belief, art, ethics, law, customs and the habits in the society.” it shows: culture is an extensive coverage, at the same time, a complicated system. language as an integral part of culture, it reflects a nations abundant, colorful cultural phenomenon. the major cultural difference of english and chinese idioms is presented in the following areas:2.4.1. differences in survival environment:the emergence of idiom has closely related to peoples work and life. britain is an island nation, located in favorable place, once led the world on the sea in history; while chinese living in asia continent, peoples life is inseparable from land.in chinese,“east wind” is the spring wind, summer is often linked with hot weather, torridity,” burning sun like burning fire(赤日炎炎似火烧).and scorching sun(骄阳似火)is the terms often used to describe the summer. but in u.k, because it is located in the western hemisphere, the north temperate maritime climate, so the report of coming spring is west wind, as famous british poet shelleys ode to west wind ,it is the very ode to praise spring. and britains summer is a warm,pleasant season, often connected with“lovely, moderate and beautiful” shakespeare compares“summer” to “lover” in his sonnet:“shall i compare thee to a summers day?/thou art more lovely and more temperate.”chinese often use “杀鸡取卵”to express: a man who wants too much but gain little at last. but in english,“kill the goose that lays golden eggs.” to explain the same meaning. chinese use “雨后春笋”to express one thing emerges in large number and develops in high speed. in english,“spring up like mushrooms” to express.笋（竹，or bamboo）is not indigenous in england, even more the word“bamboo” is an exotic word. and similize wasteful spending money, english idiom is“spend money like water,”in chinese idiom“挥金如土”.there are many idioms on water、sea boat in english, e.g.: to sail before the wind/in low water/on the rocks to keep ones head above water/all at sea/to rest on ones oars, and so on. the physical sports and entertainments、games also provide large numbers of idioms, e.g.: to have the game in ones had/to play ball with a person/to show ones card/neck and neck,and so on.some more examples: as weak as water/to miss the boat/no smoke without fire:2.4.2. differences in customs:customs exist in the family for generations gradually of a nation. the difference of custom is an important aspect in cultural differences. this directly reflects idioms of different countries. there are many differences in chinese and english idioms. the most typical kind is the attitude toward animals, especially dog.in chinese, dog is a lowly animal. most dog idioms is chinese pejorative, e.g.:“狐朋狗友、狼心狗肺”，even though in recent years the number of dogs at home greatly increased, dogs“status” appears to have changed, however, the derogatory image of dog leaves an deep、ineradicable image in chinese language culture. in western english speaking countries, dog is considered as the most loyal friend of human beings. in english idioms, dog is not compared to people themselves behaviors. e.g.: you are a lucky dog. /every dog has his own day. /love me, love my dog. /to be the top dog, and so on and so forth.“wolf”in english idioms is not an ugly,atrocious animal, e.g.: to hold a wolf by the ears./to keep the wolf from the door.“cat”in chinese is a lovely animal, chinese people are very fond of it very much. but in western culture,“cat”is used to analogize“harboring evil intentions of woman”.dragon was given opposite image in east and west. in chinese it is a propitious symbol, in old times dragon represents king,power and nobleness2.for example:望子成龙、乘龙快婿、龙凤呈祥.but in western countries, dragon is an animal makes people scared. even in early 700 a.d in song of beowulf, there was a story about beowulf fighting against a dragon. we can image dragon usually represents improbity in west. e.g.: he is a dragon.2.4.3. difference in religious belief:every nation has its own religious culture. it has affected peoples concept of value、living habits and language expression unconsciously. the idioms about religious belief are in large numbers in chinese and english both. but, they differ greatly from each other.chinese people believes in“buddhism”,which came to china over 1500 years from india. people believe“the buddha” dominate everything in the world、in our daily life. a lot of idioms emerge, e.g.:“借花献佛”、“立地成佛”、“闲时不烧香、临时抱佛脚”and so on.in western countries, particularly in britain and united states, christicanity is prevailing for ages. there are lots of idioms related to it, e.g.: god helps those who help themselves. /man proposes, god, disposes. and also have such curse:“go to hell”,and bless:“t