从文化差异视角谈动物习语的翻译.doc

6Chapter I IntroductionLanguage is a system of vocabulary and grammar that combines pronunciation andmeaning,which is created by the people of the language community through ages ofdevelopment.In embodying the cultural characteristics of language,idiom is more typicalthan any other language units.Idiom is the essence of language and high concentration ofculture.In a macro perspective,the conception of“idiom”includes the proverb,theaphorism,the common saying,Chinese enigmatic folk simile,the slang and the allusion.Both English and Chinese are famous for its rich idioms.Among them,animal idioms arehighly frequently used.As animals are peoples friends for centuries of years,thelong-term close relationship has made people learn of the characteristics of various animals.People associate their feelings and social phenomena with different species of animals,therefore animal idioms are rich in their own cultural meanings,whether in English or inChinese.However,owing to the different cultural background between English andChinese,different cultural meaning of animal idioms are derived,whether to those animalshaving certain associated characteristics in one culture but not in the other,or to thoseanimals with certain associated qualities in both cultures but with different meanings.These cultural discrepancies indicate the different national characteristics such aseconomic development,geographical conditions,fable and mythology,literature,folkcustoms and social practice,religion,etc between the eastern and western countries.The translation of idioms can be based on the level of the combination of words,or ofthe sentence only if the idiom itself is a sentence.For some phrasal idioms,we maytranslate them on the level of either the words or the combination of words,thedetermination of which is subject to such premises as the context,the readership,and thepurpose of translation.For instance,the ostrich policy can be translated as either“鸵鸟政策”or“自欺欺人”.The former translation on the level of the word is what is traditionallycalled“literal translation”and the latter“free translation”.From this example,we find thatsuch current concepts of translation theory as“equivalent,”“literal,”and“free”translation.A translation made on a level both necessary and sufficient for the adequaterendering of the level of content without violating the norms of the target language is an7equivalent translation.A translation made on a level lower than the one necessary for thepreservation of the level of content combined with a parallel preservation of the norms ofthe target language is literal translation.A translation made on a level higher than the onerequired for an exhaustive rendering of the contents of the source text according to thenorms of the target language is a free translation.According to this definition,鸵鸟政策isconsidered to be a literal translation because to the average readership the translation of theEnglish idiom required the level of the combination of words,while“自欺欺人”is sheerfree translation because in translating the sentence the level of the combination of wordswould have been sufficient.In the procedure of the translation of animal idioms,it extracts a task for the translatornot only to translate the grammar and the lexis from one language into another but also toface the problem of how to handle the culture deposits inevitably contained in language,because idioms and culture are tightly connected and culture is reflected mainly via theform of the idioms.Eugene A.Nida used to propose his translation theory of“function equivalence”inthe book of From One Language to Another(Jan de Ward and Eugene A.Nida,1986):“notonly the equivalent content of message,but,in so far as possible,an equivalence of theform”.Nida says that functional equivalence follows the principle of equivalent effect,thatis,the relationship between the receptor and the message should aim at being the same asthat between the original receptor and the source language message.It attempts to renderreceptor words from one language to another,and caters to the receptors linguisticcompetence and cultural needs.He emphasized that the translator should try his best tomake the target texts equivalent with the original ones both in meaning and in form.TanZai-xi is a follower of Nidas functional equivalence theory.He says that translationconsists in reproducing the SL message from meaning to form by rendering the closestnatural equivalent in the receptors language.Translators are confronted,all the waythrough translating,with the conflicts of form and content,meaning and style,equivalentand identity,and so on.However,the most important point in translation is the content ofthe message of the source language.Therefore,the transference of form should givepriority to the transference of message.In my opinion,the difficulty of translating animal idioms consists in the following8facts:first,the divergence between form and meaning;second,compared with ordinaryexpressions,the meaning of an idiom is probably difficult to be expressed in the receptorlanguage because of the existence of cultural gap.As is discussed already,idioms andculture are tightly connected,and culture is reflected mainly via the form of the idioms.Therefore,when an idiom is translated,the translator is required not only to transfer themeaning of the original text but also to be confronted with the problem of how to handlethe cultural elements contained in the idiom.Equivalent translation is the best way totranslate both form and meaning from SL to TL completely.However it should be in thecondition that both English and Chinese animal idioms coincidentally adopt the samemetaphors to describe the same phenomenon or express the same emotion.Thisphenomenon does not happen frequently.This implicates that functional equivalencetheory can mainly be used in two genres:First,the TL idiom is similar,if not identical,tothe SL idiom in both meaning and form.Second,the TL idiom is similar to the SL idiom inmeaning but the form is different.It has its limits in translating someuniqueculturalelements in one language but conflict or vacancy in another language.Literal translationand free translation should be used properly to translate those non-equivalent idioms.Bothof the two translations have their advantages and disadvantages.On one hand,literaltranslation may preserve the original flavor,but may also lead to incomprehensibilityamong the readers of receptor language owing to the existence of cultural gap.On the otherhand,free translation may cause the inevitable loss of the original flavor although themeaning is conveyed from the SL to the receptor language.In my opinion,in the processof translation,the meaning should be must unchanged while the form is allowed to havecertain alterations.Literal translation is only possible when not only the original form ispreserved but also the meaning is kept constant in the process of translation.In other words,the feasibility of literal translation should be built on the prerequisite that nomisunderstanding be aroused when the text is translated into the receptor language.Onlythen can the original flavor be preserved and appreciated.This thesis aims at making research at different levels for a comprehensive andrational conclusion about the understanding of English and Chinese animal idioms in acultural discrepancies perspective and meanwhile,probing into suitable methods totranslate animal idioms from SL to TL so as to meet the target readersreception as much9as possible,as a practice of the notions put forward by the writer.This thesis is constructed in the following structure.Chapter II is focus on thesimilarities and mainly the discrepancies between English and Chinese animal idiomsthrough the three perspectives as follows:(1)conflict of cultural meaning between Englishand Chinese animal idioms;(2)divergence of cultural meaning between English andChinese animal idioms;(3)exclusiveness of cultural meaning between English andChinese animal idioms.In the process of the contrastive analysis,concrete examples areprovided,and the cultural meanings of English and Chinese animal idioms are collected,grouped and compared.In Chapter III,the writer tries to further analyze the factorsinvolved in the discrepancies between English and Chinese animal idioms based on thecomparison and contrast made in Chapter II.The kind of cultural meanings concern certainnational characteristics such as economic development,geographical conditions,fable andmythology,literature,folk customs and social practice and religion,between the easternand western countries.After analyzing the factors arousing the discrepancies betweenEnglish and Chinese animal idioms,Chapter IV comes to probe into proper methods totranslate English animal idioms into Chinese or vice versa under the direction of the theoryof“function equivalence”proposed by Nida,whether equivalent translation or idiomschanged metaphors for idioms translation,literal or free translation,so as to make theanimal idiom in TL has the equivalent effect to the one in SL to most extent.10Chapter II Similarities and Discrepancies between Englishand Chinese Animal IdiomsIt is clear that some creatures or objects are often associated with certain qualitiesthat tend to arouse certain reactions or emotions.The associated qualities and the arousedreactions or emotions are not necessarily the same in different languages or cultures.In thischapter,we shall focus on the similarities and mainly the differences related to the symbolsof animals in Chinese and English idioms.2.1 Similarities between English and Chinese Animal IdiomsThe psychological linguistics shows:language is the physical form of the thinking.People have the general psychological base when understanding the objective materialworld.Although English people and Chinese people are living far from each other,theyhave also some similarities on recognizing the characteristics and habits of some animals.They adopt the same animals as metaphors in some certain idioms to express their similarfeeling or describe the same social phenomena.I will present some examples to supportmy view by using the idioms about phoenix,parrot,and pig.(1)Phoenix(凤凰)The phoenix,in Western mythology,is associated with rebirth and resurrection.According to Greek legend,the phoenix lives a certain number of years-500 by oneaccount.At the end of the period,it makes a nest,sings a death song and then sets fire to itsnest by flapping its wings.The phoenix is burned to ashes,but from these ashes emerges anew bird.Thus,when a town,a place,or the headquarters building of an organization isdestroyed by fire or other form of disasters,well-wishers may express the hope that it will“.like the legendary phoenix,rise from the ashes in new splendor.”In Chinese,there isno commonly known legend about the phoenix as there is in Greek mythology,but there isa similar saying called“凤凰涅槃浴火重生”which derives from Buddhism.The idiommeans when the phoenix set fire to burn itself,it becomes extinct by being absorbed intothe supreme spirit and will gain a new life through the procedure of firing.Both theEnglish and Chinese Idiom about phoenix have the similar meaning which signifiesrebirthing,perpetual and auspicious.11(2)Parrot(鹦鹉)Parrot is a sort of bird with a hooked bill and usually brightly coloured feathers,somekinds of which can be trained to imitate human speech.Metaphors are found in all languages.They make images vivid;they bring so muchlife to language.English is rich in metaphors and one can find such an expression as thefollowing sentence:What a dull speech!Hes merely parroting what many others have said.I need not say how dull the above statement would be without the metaphor.Theabove metaphor and association,translated literally into Chinese,can be most readilyunderstood by the Chinese readers because the symbols have similar,if not identical,overture and suggestion in the two languages:to parrot means to mimic.In Chinese there isthe similar expression called“鹦鹉学舌”.Both the English and Chinese people have foundthe parrots obvious feature of repeating otherswords or sound without any understanding,let alone its own creation.(3)Pig(猪)It is no doubt that both the eastern and western people all raise pigs for food to make aliving through the long-term development.The pigs lie in the pigsty,do nothing but onlyeat and sleep,so become fat step by step.Therefore,in Chinese idioms,the image of pigmakes people associate it with lazy,stupid,dirty and gluttonous.For instance,there aresuch Chinese pig idioms as“猪狗不如”、“形同狗彘”、“一龙一猪”、“养女不教如养猪”、“猪八戒照镜子，里外不是人”,etc.In English,there are also a lot of idioms associated with those pigs features above.Look at the following expressions:“a pig”refers to a greedy,dirty or bad-mannered person（贪婪、肮脏或无教养之人）“to make a pig of oneself”implies gluttonous,to eat too much（含“贪”之意，吃得过多）；“cast pearls before swine”refers to offer something valuable or beautiful to those whocannot appreciate it;to give what is precious to those who are unable to understand its12value.（明珠暗投）“pig it”or“pig together”means live or pack in a dirty and crowded place.（像猪一样挤在一起，居住在拥挤肮脏的地方）“pig out”is anAmerican slang,meaning eat too much（吃得多）(4)Other animalsApart from the above examples,there are some other animals that have similarassociations in both cultures:deer are meek and gentle;lambs are lovable;monkeys arenaughty and playful;jackals are greedy and contemptible;horses are strong;bees are busyand diligent;asses are stupid.For examples:Hes as sly as a fox.Hes foxy.You ass!You stupid ass!The children were as busy as bees,making preparation for the festival.In fact,Chinese has the similar expressions-像狐狸一样狡猾,蠢驴,像蜜蜂一样忙碌.The qualities that Chinese associate with the above creatures are roughly the same asthose that Americans,Canadians,Englishmen would associate.2.2 Discrepancies between English and Chinese Animal Idioms2.2.1 Conflict of Cultural Meaning between English and Chinese AnimalIdiomsConflict of cultural meaning between English and Chinese animal idioms refers to thephenomenon that the idioms containing the same animal words have the opposite culturalmeanings in both languages.The judgment is mainly based on meaning as well ascommendatory or derogatory sense.I will prove my point of view through the followingexamples about dragon(龙),bat(蝙蝠),and owl(猫头鹰).(1)Dragon(龙)“Dragon”is a large fierce animal with wings and a long tail that can breathe out fire.To westerners,“dragon”is considered as a fierce monster which can spit fire andsometimes possesses three to nine heads and as a symbol of evil,cruelty and sin.Severalstories of saints or heroes deal with struggles against the monsters,which in most cases are13slain in the end.The most notable perhaps is the story of Beowulf,an Anglo-Saxon epicaround the year of 700 A.D.,telling how the hero Beowulf defeats a monster calledGrendel,but is eventually killed in slaying a dragon.In English,“dragon”usually has thecultural meaning of“evil,the Devil or the Satan,or the strife”.For example,sow dragons teeth(挑起争斗，激化矛盾).This idiom derives from the Greek mythology:the prince Cadmus killed a largedragon and seeds the dragons teeth under the earth.And afterwards the teeth becomemany warriors.They begin fight fiercely and finally only five warriors survived.So peopleuse“sow dragons teeth”to refer to“to stir up strife or war,especially to do somethingwhich is intended to put an end to the strife but which brings it about”.However,in Chinese culture,the“龙”is regarded as an auspicious creature andalways be respected and admired by Chinese people.It has rich cultural meanings in thefollowing aspects:the ancestor of the Chinese nationIn Chinese mythology,the Yellow Emperor laid the foundation of Chinese civilization.Later,he went up to the Heaven by riding a dragon.It is said that the dragon was sent bythe Emperor of the Heaven to get him.Because of the mythology related to the YellowEmperor who was so well-respected and worshipped,the offspring regarded him as theancestor of the Chinese nation.That is also why the Chinese call themselves“龙的传人”.an imperial symbol,especially an emperorIn Chinese legendary“龙王”is a powerful god who rules the seas and other waterbodies and is in charge of rain.Because the Yellow Emperor went up to the Heaven byriding a dragon,the emperors in different dynasties afterwards called themselves“真龙天子”,wearing“龙袍”(dragon robe)living in palaces decorated with the dragon.Theysymbolized the power and dignity.Almost everything relevant to the emperor is added by“龙”.For instance,“龙体”、“龙颜”、“龙子龙孙”、“龙剑”,etc.an outstanding personIn Chinese,“dragon”is always used to describe an outstanding person or figure（贤人）.There are expressions like“望子成龙”、“伏龙凤雏”、“卧虎藏龙”、“乘龙快婿”、“攀龙附凤”、“人中龙凤”、“龙马精神”、“龙蛇混杂”、“一龙一猪”.strong and vigorous14There are expressions like“龙骧虎步”、“龙腾虎跃”、“虎踞龙盘”、“生龙活虎”、“龙飞凤舞”.auspiciousAs an auspicious creature that supposedly brings good luck,the dragon gave rise tothe saying“龙凤呈祥”.Parents would like to“望子成龙”(longing to see their son winsuccess in life)handsome,decentnessIn China,people always use“龙”(dragon)to describe a person with handsomeappearance as well as elegant temperament.For examples:“龙凤之表”、“龙眉凤目”、“龙章凤姿”、“龙生龙，凤生凤，老鼠生儿打地洞”.precious,peculiar,fantasticThere are expressions like“龙肝豹胎”、“龙光射斗牛之墟”.From the above contrast,we can conclude though both are imaginary animals,the“dragon”in English and“龙”in Chinese have quite different