英语习语的翻译方法 毕业论文.doc

【标题】英语习语的翻译方法 【作者】陈巧遇 【关键词】英语习语；翻译方法与技巧；习语种类 【指导老师】许奋荣 【专业】英语 【正文】I. IntroductionA. The Understanding of English IdiomsIdioms are widely used all over the world. There are lots of idioms appearing in literature works that contain extremely profound and rich meanings. Idioms have been described as the crystallization of language; without idioms our language would become dull and dry, whereas“an appropriate use of them in our writing will add to the strength and vividness of our language.”1 So, idiom translation plays a very important role in understanding the foreign culture and language itself.“English idiom is a fixed group of words or a single word, or even a sentence, with a special meaning that cannot be guessed from its structure.”2 Idioms are not only the core of a language but also the intellectual crystallization of the common people. According to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, idiom is“phrase or sentence whose meaning is not obvious through knowledge of the individual meaning of the constituent words but must be learnt as a whole”. From this the characteristics of idioms can be concluded: firstly, the meaning of an idiom is unpredictable. That is to say, the deep meaning of an idiom is not the collective meaning of all the words that form it.“meaning cannot be calculated by adding up the separate words”3. This can be fully illustrated by the following examples:“cats paw” does not refer to the paw of a cat but a person who has been exploited or fooled by others;“black sheep” is not a sheep at all but a good-for-nothing person in a certain community. Secondly, idioms are indivisible units in form whose components cannot be replaced by other words only within definite limits.“No other words can be substituted for those comprising”.4 For instance, a native speaker will probably feel strange if one says“One stitch in time saves nine” instead of“A stitch in time saves nine”. Again,“black horse” cannot be used in place of“dark horse” because it destroys the real meaning of this idiom. On the whole, English idioms, like Chinese idioms, are fixed phrases with specific meanings that cannot be changed anyway.B. The Sources of English IdiomIt is well known that idioms are mainly formed or created by people during their daily life. To much degree, they are the natural outcome of the working peoples life practice and experience. For example,“plough the sands” is in fact about agriculture;“to know the ropes” is from navigation originally;“neck and neck” is out of horse racing;“alive and kicking” is related to fishing.In addition, culture and religion are also the major sources of English idioms. A large number of English idioms come from the Bible, such as“the patience of Job” means great patience;“not know somebody from the Adam” means the one who is a perfect stranger. Others like“cry for the moon” and“never say die” are from Charles Dickens works. From the Greek myths comes an idiom“the Achilles Hell” which means the only deadly weak point. Thus from the above examples, it is not difficult to find out that English idioms are closely connected with peoples common life, literature, religion, ancient legends and fables. The Categories of Chinese Translation of English IdiomsThe methods of idiom translation, according to the relationship between English idioms and Chinese idioms, can be divided into three categories: the translation of corresponding idioms, the translation of partial corresponding idioms and the translation of specific idioms.A. The Translation of Corresponding IdiomsSome English idioms and Chinese idioms are similar in meaning and structure, so Chinese idioms can be used to translate English idioms. All together, there are four types of translation. They are word-equivalence, word-amplification, word-simplification and word-transformation.1. Word-equivalenceThis kind of translation is practical when the Chinese idioms and the English idioms are equivalent in meaning and form. For instance: pour oil on fire火上加油; castle in the air空中楼阁; black market黑市; die-hard死硬派; double-faced两面派的; fellow traveler同路人; golden age黄金时代; chain reaction连锁反应; open secret公开的秘密; to go into the red出现赤字；self do, self have自作自受. Sometimes the implied meaning of an idiom can be explained after it word for word because it can indicate the original meaning and style as well as the deep meaning of the idioms. For example, a good dog deserves a food bone(有功者受奖); cannot see the woods for the trees(见木不见林;只见细节,不见全面;一叶障目,不见泰山).2. Word-amplificationThis kind of translation is to add some words that dont exist in English idioms so that the translation can correspond with the Chinese idioms. For example, be in two minds(三心二意), catch at shadows(捕风捉影), two-faced tactics(两面三刀).3. Word-simplificationThis kind of translation is to omit some words in English idioms. Contrary to word-amplification mentioned above, there exist some English idioms repeating the same word for several times. When we translate this kind of idioms, its necessary to simplify it in order to make the translation clear and plain. For example, there is an idiom with four“troubles”:“Dont trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.” Two of them are verbs which mean“cause worry, anxiety or inconvenience to somebody”. The rest of them are nouns which mean“worry, suffering or unhappiness”. The meaning of the whole idiom is“dont look for trouble”. When translating this idiom into Chinese, there is no need to translate every“trouble”. Instead, it can be translated into“不要自寻麻烦”. Three“troubles” are omitted but the meaning remains”. Another typical example is“the true joy of joy is the joy that joys in the joy of others”.“Joy” appears five times in this idiom. It means the true joy is to share your happiness with other people. In Chinese,“与人同乐.才是真乐”.4. Word-transformationThis kind of translation is to change some words in English idioms in order that the translation can be easily understood and accepted. For example, if we Chinese describe an untidy room, we will use an idiom“乱七八糟”. However, the English use the idiom“at six and sevens”5. In Chinese, seven and eight are used; while in English, six and seven. Although the numbers involved are different, the deep meaning of the two idioms is exactly the same. Both of them mean“disorder and unclean”. Thus when translating the English idiom, we can change six into eight so as to make it more acceptable for the Chinese. There are some more examples: a drop in the bucket(沧海一粟); as timid as a hare(胆小如鼠)6; as stubborn as a mule(犟得像头牛); as stupid as a goose(蠢得像猪); pig might fly(太阳从西边出来)7; ass in the lions skin(狐假虎威).B. The Translation of Partial Corresponding IdiomsOwing to the different social background, custom and religions, differences are inevitable to appear in idioms of both languages. Though they are expressed in different ways, the deep meaning of them may be of the same. This kind of idioms is called partial corresponding idioms. When translating those idioms, the first step is to figure out the correct meaning of English idioms. Then, try to find suitable Chinese idioms to match.There is an idiom“gild the lily” or“paint the lily”8. Lily is a kind of beautiful plant growing from a bulb, of many sizes, shapes and colors. Someone covers it with golden leaf in order to make it look more beautiful. This action actually spoils the natural beauty of lily by unnecessary embellishment. So this idiom truly means“people do some stupid and unnecessary work”. In China, there is an idiom with similar meaning“画蛇添足”. These two idioms can match each other. Another example,“speak of angels, we will think of their wings”. Angel is spirit in the heaven from the western religion. So Chinese people are not familiar with it and it cannot be translated literally. However, if we translate it into“说曹操,曹操到”, it is easier for the Chinese to understand. There are more examples: male bricks without straw(无米之炊); between the devil and the deep blue sea(进退维谷); the box of Pandora(万恶之源); the god of marriage(月下老人).C. The Translation of Specific IdiomsSpecific idioms refer to those English idioms that are easily confused with Chinese phrases, which are similar in their structures and forms. It seems that they have the same meaning, but as a matter of fact, they are different.There is an idiom in English“dog-eat-dog” which will remind the Chinese of the Chinese idiom“狗咬狗” at first sight. However,“dog-eat-dog” means“ruthless and savage competition or a hard merciless struggle to remain in existence, be successful in business or sports, etc.”9 While“狗咬狗” in China means“the internal strife or fight of a group of sordid person”. In this sense,“dog-eat-dog” should be translated into Chinese“残酷斗争,无情打击”. Another idiom is“give somebody the bird”. This idiom means“to dismiss somebody or express strong disapproval of a person, especially an actor or singer on his performance”. There are more examples: to move heaven and earth(千方百计); eat ones words(承认说错话,被迫收回前言); child play(简单易做的事); strange bedfellows(萍水相逢); live from hand to mouth(勉强糊口); under the weather(不舒服); lay a foundation(打基础); pull ones socks up(振作起来，鼓起勇气，加紧努力); know where the shoe pinches(知道困难所在)误:知道鞋子在哪儿夹脚. Seven Practical Translating Ways of English IdiomsTranslation is an art, a bilingual art, which is considered as the cultural bridge and media between two languages. As there are wide differences in vocabulary and syntax between the oriental and occidental languages, translation is no easy job, especially the translation of English idioms. Therefore, in order to keep the flavor of the original English idioms as well as cater for all the Chinese readers, translation skills should be reasonably employed in the process of translating, such as the following seven translating ways and skills.A. Literal TranslationLiteral translation refers to the complete representation of the original almost accords with the Chinese language in the form of vocabulary, grammatical structure and rhetorical device. In terms of idiom translation, literal translation can keep the original form of English idioms without causing confusion in meaning. Whats more, it transfers the original cultural information effectively and narrows the gaps between tow languages. The most important point lies in the function of keeping the full flavor of English idioms.For example,“Do not throw cold water on newly emerging things”.1.不要给新生事物泼冷水。2.不要反对新生事物。Obviously version 1 fits the original sentence better than version 2 because the English idiom“throw cold water” and“泼冷水” in Chinese are perfectly equivalent. Version 2 cannot express the original meaning accurately. On the contrary, version 2 creates diversity to Chinese readers in thought.Another example,“when she was young, she was compared to an ugly ducking.”1.小时候，她长得很丑。2.小时候，她是个丑小鸭。The original sentence contains a metaphor; she is compared to an ugly duckling. Although duckling cannot represent ugliness in China, the fairytale about her is well known to every family, particularly to the children. Thus this English idiom has been assimilated by Chinese culture after a long period of transformation. Therefore, version 2 employs literal translation. It does not cause confusion at all and makes the expression vivid. On the contrary, version 1 omits the original metaphor so that it produces the loss of cultural meaning and violates the“faithfulness” of translation standard.Another examples： Noahs Ark诺亚方舟; crocodile tears鳄鱼的眼泪; gentlemans agreement君子协定; cry wolf狼来了; break the record打破记录; kill two birds with one stone一石二鸟; armed to the teeth武装到牙齿; sour grapes酸葡萄; Blood is thicker than water.血浓于水.B. Literal Translation with NotesGood literal translation can help Chinese readers to acquire the direct cultural information of English idioms, but sometimes the direct literal translation without any notes will puzzle readers so that cultural gaps will be naturally produced. So this kind of translating skill may supply notes to English allusions, backgrounds, figure meaning, context and sources, etc. strengthen the acceptability of English idioms and keep the original flavor of English idioms. For example,“We are really behind the eight-boll. We need to borrow money to stay in business. But the banks we have gone to so far have turned us down.”原译:我们目前的境况真是在8号球的后面。我们需要贷款来维持我们的生意。但是,到目前为止,我们去过的银行都拒绝给我们贷款。改译:我们目前的境况真是很危险。我们需要贷款来维持我们的生意.。但是,到目前为止,我们去过的银行都拒绝给我们贷款。 As to this version, Chinese readers might be confused, so a note must be added注：原译让读者感到不知所云。behind the eight-boll究竟指什么意思呢？这个习惯用语其实来自台球游戏。台球游戏使用的球当中有一个黑色的球，上面有一个数字8。8号球不详之兆，是大家想避开的。现在这个短语可用于台球以外的各种场合，意为“处于不利或者是危险的境地”。 With the note, Chinese readers could acquire new information about this idiom.English allusion is a part of idiom, which has many splendid stories. Literal translation with notes to allusion can make Chinese readers, especially children, recognize the origin and widen their knowledge when reading the translation. For example,“the Achilles heel of the Australian economy today is that, although its structure is geared to international trade, its participation in trade has declined.”(译：澳大利亚今天经济中的阿克琉斯的脚后跟是：虽然它在不断参与世界贸易，但是它在世界贸易的地位已经下降.)注:“the Achilles heel”这个典故来源与神化史诗伊利亚特。阿克琉斯是海神Thetis和国王Peleus的儿子，因为他母亲把他浸在冥河水里，使他全身刀枪不入，但他母亲忽略了一点，忘记了把握着的脚后跟沾湿。战神Apollo知道了这一秘密，并悄悄告诉了他的死敌Paris, Paris举起箭瞄准了唯一致命的弱点英雄阿克琉斯被射死了。” Through the note Chinese readers know who is Achilles，a legend with unlimited power but the only vulnerable part. Thus they get a deeper understanding of Australian economic situation. a bakers dozen(十三个)：在中世纪，英国的法律极其严格，若面包师出售的面包缺斤少两就要受到重罚。为了避免偶尔的分量不足，面包师便在每打面包中免费多给一个。apple of discord(祸根，不和与争斗之源):源于希腊神话中的一个传说。珀琉斯和西蒂斯举行婚礼时，邀请奥林匹斯山上的众神参加婚宴，却忘了邀请专司争吵的女神厄里斯。厄里斯就把一只上面刻着“属于最美者”字样的金苹果，偷偷放在婚礼的宴会上。这就引起了天后赫拉、智慧女神雅典娜和爱与美女神阿芙罗狄蒂的争夺，她们都想把它据为己有。后来，特洛伊王子帕里斯出来评判，把苹果判给了阿芙罗狄蒂。从此赫拉和雅典娜就对帕里斯和特洛伊人怀恨在心，导致了历时十年的特洛伊战争，最终以特洛伊城的陷落而结束。at the eleventh hour(在最后时刻，刚好来得及):此语出自圣经。讲十一点钟进入葡萄园的雇工，即使只劳动一个小时，十二点钟发工资时也和十一点钟前进入葡萄园的雇工工资相同，意思是十一点钟是最后时刻，但还来得及。C. Liberal TranslationLiberal translation is also called free translation, which does not conform strictly to the form or word order of the original.“When there exists dissimilarity or great differences between English idiom and Chinese idiom in terms of vocabulary, grammatical structure and art devices, free translation can be employed.”10For example,“The teenagers do not invite Bob to their party because he is a wet blanket”.1.青年们不邀请Bob参加他们的聚会，因为他是个扫兴的人。2.青年们不邀请Bob参加他们的聚会，因为他是块湿毯子。Compare two versions 1 and 2. Version 1 employs liberal translation and version 2 uses literal translation. In the view of sentences structure and grammar, they are both right; but according to the meaning of the original, a“wet blanket” is a reason that the teenagers do not invite Bob to their party.“湿毯子” this version has no link with the reason of the original logically. Though“扫兴的人” in version 1 has no meaning of“a wet blanket”, it may express the logical reason of the sentence. So the readers will not be confused why they do not invite Bob. On the contrary, version 2 would make readers puzzled.Here is another example,“He touched wood when speaking of her future.”1.讲到她的未来，他祝她好运2.讲到她的未来，他就会摸木头Version 1 is more suitable. People who see foreign films usually find that people in the west like“making cross” on their chest to beg for good luck. In this version,“wood” stands for“cross”. So this idiom should be translated literally into“但愿走好运”. At the first sight of version 1, the readers would feel at a loss, but after thinking it over, they will get the exact meaning. Version 2 is literal translation, which seems to keep the“flavor” of the original, but in fact, it not only does show the deep meaning of the English idiom“touch wood”, but also produces unreasonable Chinese expression.D. Literal Translation with NotesLiberal translation can transfer the English cultural information effectively. However, it is sometimes difficult to find out a suitable Chinese word or expression to employ. Therefore, for the purpose of improving the sending of original meaning of the backgrounds and allusions that are supplied to enhance English idioms, another kind of translating skill may be employed, that is, liberal translation with notes.For example,“John can be relied on. He eats no fish and plays the game.”1.约翰为人可靠。他既忠实又正直。2.约翰为人可靠。他不吃鱼，并且参加比赛。3.约翰为人可靠。他既忠实又正直。注：“eats no fish and plays the game”出自一个典故，指英国伊丽莎白女王时代，耶稣教徒为了表示对政府的忠诚，拒绝遵守反对政府的罗马天主教在星期五只吃鱼的习俗。因此，“eats no fish”由此转变为“光明正大”。Observing those versions, we can find version 3 is more preferable. Though version 2 expresses the literal meaning of the English idiom“eats no fish”, Chinese people just know the one is clever and witty who likes eating fish. Whats more, version 2 has no link with the context. Version 1 can let readers know the explanation of“eats no fish”, but not know why. Only version 3 lets readers know the spirit of this idiom as well as the source.They have led a cat-and-dog life almost since the day they were married.他们几乎是从结婚那天起过的就是经常争吵不休的生活。 a cat-and-dog life直译为“猫狗生活”，但这一翻译不易为汉语读者理解，汉语中又没有相应的习语可套用，因此采用了意译的方法，舍弃了原习语的语言形象。Peter was a dog in the manger over that microwave oven; it was no use whatever to him, but he would not let me have it.那个微波炉对彼得毫无用处，但他就是霸着不让我用。a dog in the manger(狗占马槽)是一个源自伊索寓言的习语，引申为“自己不能享用又不让别人享用”，译文只用一个“霸”字就生动体现了这个习语的内在含义。She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth; she thinks she can do what she likes.她生在富贵之家，认为凡事都可以随心所欲。born with a silver spoon in ones mouth（含着一把银勺出生），意思是“生在富贵人家”。E. Liberal Translation Replacement w