The Cultural Differences of English and Chinese Idioms and Their Translation.doc

毕业论文（设计）The Cultural Differences of English and Chinese Idioms and Their Translation1. Introduction12.Idioms and culture32.1 The definition of culture32.2 The definition of idiom42.3 The historical and cultural sources of Chinese and English idioms52.3.1 Dialectic structure in the English and Chinese idioms52.3.2 Values expressed in the English and Chinese idioms62.3.3 Thinking modes expressed in the English and Chinese idioms82.4 Influences caused by cultural differences on English and Chinese idioms92.4.1 Different living environments102.4.2 Different living customs112.4.3 Different religious beliefs122.4.4 Different historical and literary allusions133.Concrete principles and methods applied to the translation of idioms.143.1 Literal translation143.2 Free translation153.3 Additional translation164.Conclusion18References191. Introduction The thesis analyses the influence of cultural differences on Chinese and English idioms, then studies English-Chinese Chinese- English idiom translation from the angle of culture and aims to draw specific approaches to the problems of cultural transmission in idiom translation.The importance of studying idiom translation from the perspective of culture lies in the following aspects:First of all, studies of the cultural distinction in idiom translation are still relatively weak in the field of translation in China. We know that cultural connotations engage in idioms. Exclusive research on the translation of idioms is still inappropriate and incomplete. In the last twenty years, idiom translation has mostly emphasized on the level of Interlingual communication, but cultural differences were rarely involved in it. In 1998, Chen Ding-an wrote a book on comparison and translation of English and Chinese idioms, in which he used general translation strategies: literal translation, free translation, borrowed translation and additional translation and tried to find solutions in idiom translation. It can be concluded that it is time for us to study idiom translation from the perspective of culture and researchers today are paying more attention to such studies.Secondly, it is inevitable that cultural transmission will affect the English-Chinese/ Chinese-English idioms translation. In the broad sense, culture and language are closely related to each other. Language is part of culture; it is also the carrier of culture. In the narrow sense, cultural differences have great influences on idiom translation. Idioms are culture-loaded linguistic symbols and we can find almost every aspect of national culture in idioms. Idioms are just like a huge mirror whereby we can see the kinds of cultural views of a nation. It is certain that the special difficulties for the translation of idioms will rise. Translation, in fact, is not only interlingual communication but also intercultural communication. A good translator is supposed to translate idioms underlying the culture.England and China have totally different cultures while their sources and development roads are distinctive. Having different living environments, social customs, religious beliefs and historical allusions, Chinese and English idioms loaded with cultural connotations are characterized by certain cultural terms. The idioms were endowed in the two different cultures and were brought about by cultural barriers for the receptors to comprehend and appreciate. In that case, a translator should consider the cultural terms in idiom translation and make efforts to find the accurate solution underlying these terms. We can achieve “faithful” translation in that way. It means that we can manage the interpretation of both the semantic information and cultural connotations of idioms in question.2.Idioms and cultureThe relationship between idiom and culture is closely related to each other. Idiom and culture influence and restrict each other. Idiom is an important part of culture, belonging to system culture. It is the carrier and the record of the culture; also it is the most significant way in cultural transmission. Idiom which was formed with cultural specialties underlying the historical revolution affects and restrains culture. Different cultural features of a nation can be found in idioms.2.1 The definition of culture“Culture is a fundamental concept in anthropology, the classical definition of which was first put forward by E. B. Tyrol in his primitive culture (1871):Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by men as a member of society. (许力生, 2004)” Culture is divided into its broad sense and narrow sense. In its broad sense, culture refers to a totality of material and spiritual culture, which is created and accumulated in the course of social development. “The broadest of all definitions is one proposed by E. Damson Hoebel and Everett Frost, who see culture in nearly all human activity. They define culture as an integrated system of learned behavior patters which are characteristics of the members of a society and which are the result of biological inheritance” (唐德根, 2001:89) In the narrow sense, culture refers to social ideology, and its corresponding institutions and organizing structures. Language, being one part of culture, is the carrier of culture at the same time. Language has great importance with both the functioning and perpetuation of culture. Language was endowed by culture with meaning and significance. Culture must be with language. Language can preserve all its meanings and stand forever with culture. In that case, we should pay more attention to cultural elements in the process of translating. Also, the intensive study of the cultural elements of Chinese and English idioms is of great significance.2.2 The definition of idiomIdioms which are formed on the basis of national history, economy, culture, tradition and customs are simply a number of words, making a sentence. Usually their meanings go beyond simple words. In the normal sense, idioms are concerned with lively images, strong characteristics of national culture and profound social and historical origins. Idioms, as we refer to here, are set phrases which include colloquialisms, proverbs, slang expressions and metaphorical phrases. Idioms, which are taken as peculiar languages, are usual phrases and sentences in oral speaking. Both English and Chinese idioms are expressive languages; these languages are very rich in idiomatic expression. Cultural transmission gives color to most idiomatic expressions. Some idioms have evident meaning, we can comprehend them literally. Some idioms have implied meaning. If, according to literal translation, we cannot catch them, then we should explore our imagination. Some idioms are concerned with historical allusions; in that case, we are supposed to get knowledge of the background information before we can appreciate them. Idioms are often formed with words together in the odd, illogical and even grammatically incorrect way. Because of the features of idioms, it is hard for us to translate them. In translating idioms, we should stick to the translational rules. The most important rule is “faithfulness”. On one hand, the meanings should be expressed clearly and correctly, on the other hand, their forms and figures of speech, such as euphony, antithesis, rhymes, etc should be preserved whenever possible.2.3 The historical and cultural sources of Chinese and English idiomsThe cultures of England and China are totally different. So their sources and development roads tend to be distinctive. China has a strong relationship with Chinese culture. We can understand Chinese idioms when exploring cultural aspects. Chinese idioms which present cultural individuality express cognitions and attitudes to an objective world, recording the historical development road of China. Under similar circumstances, English idioms are closely related to western culture. So the formation and rhetoric are closely connected with England-American culture. Therefore, we can see the social background of English and Chinese culture in the idioms and the cultural focus in the development of some idioms.2.3.1 Dialectic structure in the English and Chinese idiomsChina is a country of continental natural geographical conditions. Chinese people tried their best to live in harmony with nature. They strive for “Man proposes God disposes”. Antithesis is the distinguishing feature of Chinese idiomatic expression. It not only reflects thinking modes in the Han dynasty, but also shows that the Han dynasty had the authentic temperament and interest. 十年树木, 百年树人.四体不勤, 五谷不分.不塞不流, 不止不行.The western culture originated from the commerce of the earliest development in the marine environment. The eagerness, change, and curiosity of maritime cultural characteristics make the western people tend to divide the universe into two totally different worlds. They think everything is opposite in the world: man and nature, substance and mentality, society and nature. They think that nature can be commanded and changed. So the western cultures are accustomed to interfering in others internal affairs with armed intervention and incursion. There are many idioms which beautify their aggression acts. To play cop 负责全球安全Surgical operation strike 外科手术性攻击Military operation 军事演习2.3.2 Values expressed in the English and Chinese idiomsValues are the instructions that people can not avoid in every society or culture. There are greatly different values in Chinese and English culture. If the western culture is a scientific culture with the view of demanding truth, the Chinese culture belongs to an ethics culture and a human culture aiming at seeking well. In the value judgment, Chinese culture is based on ethics, while the western is based on fact. 2.3.2.1 Middlebrow and harmonious notionConfucianism regards neutralization as ontic thought, called the doctrine of the mean Confucian. The thought mirrors in the social interpersonal relationships, displaying a graceful and deferent attitude, good nature, polite manner, and gentle and self- surrender disposition. The Middlebrow and harmonious notion is also responsible for Chinese idiomatic expressions.万事和为贵.多一事不如少一事.退一步海阔天空.己所不欲，勿施于人.There are a great number of English idioms which relate to national history from a feudal dynasty to a multi-party coalition government. For example, round table conference (圆桌会议). In the 5th century A.D, Arthur sat with his subordinates around the round table when holding a meeting, level-pegging, without distinction of superiority and inferiority, which avoid the dispute of seats. As is known to us, the international conferences mostly adopt “round table conference”. “Red tape” (繁文缛节, 文牍主义), was originated from old official document which was bundled with red rope. 2.3.2.2 Collectivism and individualismGuided and influenced by the philosophic thinking of “Nature Unity”, Chinese take harmony as the universal value of the whole, pursuing the traditional attitude. In all ages they are largely under the jurisdiction of the collective honor and group notion. The idiom, “Be the first to become concerned with the worlds troubles and the last to rejoice in its happiness”, is a shared virtue of them. In dealing with the relationship between individual and collective, “to keep pace with collective and leader”, “self- control” “To know one is true progress”, “observe all rules and regulations” are all required. On the contrary, in the western, especially in America, the social values orientation of “individualism” is a projecting characteristic. Americans have a strong sense of struggle consciousness and competitive spirit. The life precept was received by many people: “Every man for himself and god for us all.” “Every man is the architect of his own fortune.” If modesty is our shared virtue, confidence is the valued quality of American culture. The western people value individualism very much, so the numbers of the compound words whose prefix is “self- “are more than 100 in the English dictionaries, for example, self-control, self-respect, selfconfidence, self-reliance, self-esteem, selfdependence. The Americans want to be “a self-made man” or “a self-made woman.” It is obvious that “individualism” plays a prominent role in American life.2.3.3 Thinking modes expressed in the English and Chinese idiomsAs a result of the distinct thinking modes, people differ in collocations and apperceive orientation. We can discover the kinds of perceptions to the objective world of the two nationalities in the studying of the compound modes of English and Chinese idioms.2.3.3.1From the angle of rationalismAccording to the rationalism, Chinese rationalism is inclined to be direct and concrete while that of the western is abstract analysis. Discrepancies of the thinking mode are embodied in the patterns of language performance. On the one hand, concept of words and phrases is transformed between theory and practice: that is to say, English language uses abstract notion to show a certain specific thing or phenomenon, while Chinese language transforms abstract notion into a concrete thing. For example, “ As you sow, you will reap” 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆, “fit the appetite to the dishes” 看菜吃饭. On the other hand, there are differences in the assortments of word order. Chinese said “救死扶伤” , but the western people state “Heal the wounded, rescue the dying”（扶伤救死）.2.3.3.2From the angle of the pragmatism Many English and Chinese idioms can evidently show the philosophy of a life motto at opposite poles. The philosophy of pragmatism dominates many Westerners as in all is “fair in love and war” “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” The westerns always say “I will try” or “if I cannot succeed this time, I will try again.” Chinese people cant accept these notions; even think it is awful and unsportsmanlike. They have formed the philosophy of “君子固穷” “君子喻于义,小人喻于利” “不为福祸,不为福先” “命中无有,不可强求” “安分守己” “知足常乐” “明哲保身”2.4 Influences caused by cultural differences on English and Chinese idiomsEvery nation has its culture. Idiom is the mirror of the culture of a nation. “A nations cultural psychological and aesthetic perspectives and values are surely reflected in its idioms. The national cultural features of a language refer to not only the connotations of culture but also the extension of the concept of culture the nations history, geographical condition, economy, social system, religion and customs which are reflected and recorded in its language. ” (杨贤玉, 2001:70) In order to have a better understanding of English and Chinese idioms, we should make a further study of the influences caused by cultural difference on English and Chinese idiom. We have difficulty understanding an idiom which is more or less connected with a certain region, custom, religion or historical event of which we know nothing. So we might take idioms as a mirror, which best reflect the special features of culture.2.4.1 Different living environments Many idioms originated from different living environments. Naturally two kinds of national characteristics are manifest. The English and Chinese have different environments. Traditionally speaking, England is a nomadic nation whose lives have largely been dependent on livestock husbandry. So the knowledge of wools is popular in their daily lives. There are a great number of idioms related to wools. “ Tarred with the same brush ” (一路货色). “Much cry and little wool” (雷声大, 雨点小). “Go for wool and come home shorn”（偷鸡不成蚀把米）. “Much wool on the back” （很有钱）. From the above four idioms, we can learn of the intimate relationship between English people and wools.Britain is an island country. In Britain, no places are more than 110 miles away from sea. Therefore many idioms are connected with their sea experience. The following are the many examples. “There is as good a fish in the sea as ever come out of it” （有了大海，还怕没鱼）. “Be taken aback” （大吃一惊）. “The good seaman is known in bad weather” （要识好手，须凭坏天气）. “A small leak will sink a great ship” （大船还怕钉眼漏）. “ All hands to the pumps” （情况危急，要全力以赴）. However, China, since time immemorial, was chiefly a farming country and the overwhelming majority of the people lived in the rural areas, and depended on farming. It is true that a lot of idioms derived from farmers. These idioms which were accumulated from their productive labor by the Chinese peasant generation after generation are the crystallization of a rich experience in agricultural production,. “种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆” (As a man sows, so shall he reap). “秋后的蚂蚌蹦跳不了几天” (At the end of autumn, a grasshoppers jumping days are numberedimminent failure). “一年之计在于春，一日之计在于晨” (The whole years work depends on good planning in spring, and the whole days work depends on good planning in the early morning). These idioms present the life and the viewpoints of Chinese farmers.2.4.2 Different living customs Idioms come from peoples life and reflect peoples life. Living custom has a great influence on the system of idiomatic expressions. Every idiom is characterized by the different social customs. “ 萝卜白菜，各有所爱” （ Different people have different tastes, some like radish and some like cabbage）is used to explain peoples preference to certain objects and ideas. The expression is vivid for Chinese people because “radish” and “cabbage” are common food in China. People use it to represent the different tastes or viewpoints. However, the same images are unlikely to have the same expressive effects in the minds of English. In expressing the same meaning, they may use two different images “apple” and “onion”. English people would say, “Different people have different opinions, some like apples and some like onions.” “Apples” or “onions” are two common things in the dairy life an