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The Translation of Chinese Idioms from the Perspective of Cultural TranslationYi yu fan Under the Supervision ofLi canCollege of Foreign Language and LiteratureLan zhou UniversityJune 201214ContentsAbstract(English)iAbstract(Chinese)ii1. Introduction11.1 Definition of Idiom21.2 Classifications of Idiom21.3 Sources of Idiom32. Similarities and Differences of Cultural Connotation Between Chinese and English Idioms42.1 Superposition of Both Image and Meaning42.2 Image Superposition42.3 Meaning Superposition52.4 “Lexical Gap”53. Reasons for the Differences63.1 Differences in Territorial Environment63.2 Differences in Customs and Culture63.3 Differences in Religious Beliefs73.4 Differences in Historical Background73.5 Differences in Values84. Methods for English Translation of Chinese Idioms84.1 Literal Translation84.2 Free Translation94.3 Excerpt94.4 Borrowing94.5 Literal Translation with a Note94.6 A Combination of Literal Translation and Free Translation104.7 Adding105. Problems in English Translation of Chinese Idioms115.1 A Precise Understanding of the Original Text115.2 Semantic Appraisement115.3 Retaining the Original Image11Conclusion12References14Acknowledgements15AbstractWith the rapid development of global economy and globalization, cross-cultural communication has also become more and more frequent. Translation plays a very important role in the communicative activities. It is through translation that different cultures can come to understand each other, and translation enriches the culture that involved. Idioms are an indispensable part of language and idioms are expressive. Chinese idioms, which carry rich information of Chinese characteristics and Chinese particular culture, are a special form in Chinese. Chinese idioms have diversed forms. There are four-character Chinese idioms, proverbs, locutions and two-part allegorical sayings. And Chinese idioms, with a lot of traditional Chinese cultural features, add difficulties to the English translation to a certain extent. Therefore, dealing with Chinese idioms in English-Chinese translation becomes a very important problem. The translator should not only consider the differences between languages, but also keep a close eye on cultural differences, and strive to conserve foreign cultural characteristics that contain in the original text of capacity. The paper introduces basic information about idioms, analyzes the similarities and differences of cultural connotation between English and Chinese idioms from the perspective of culture, and points out some problems that should be paid attention to in the English translation of Chinese idioms.Key words: cultural perspectives; Chinese idioms; Chinese-English translation; translation strategies 摘 要随着全球经济的迅速发展和世界经济一体化，跨文化的交际也变得日趋频繁。翻译在这一交流活动中扮演着非常重要的角色。翻译促成了不同文化间的交流与了解，并藉此丰富了参与交流的文化。习语是语言中不可缺少的、富有表达力的因素。汉语习语是汉语中一种特殊的语言形式,它承载着大量富有中国特色的信息和汉语特有的文化底蕴。而汉语习语形式多样，有四字成语、谚语、惯用语、歇后语，具有很强的民族文化特色，这在一定程度上增加了英译的难度。因此，在汉译英中如何处理汉语习语成为一个很重要的间题。译者不仅要考虑语言的差异，还要密切注视文化的差异，力求最大限度地保存原文所蕴涵的异域文化特色。本文将介绍一些习语的基本情况，从文化的角度分析英汉习语文化内涵的异同和产生差异的原因，并指出汉语习语英译时应注意的一些问题。关键词：文化角度; 汉语习语; 汉译英; 翻译策略1. IntroductionIdiom, as a widespread fixed phrase and short sentences with special meaning, is an inalienable important element of a language. Idioms which are put into practice for a long time are very impressive. Idioms are results of labor and life through the ages, the crystallization of the wisdom of human beings, and spiritual wealth and cultural heritage of each nationality. As the essence of a language, idioms can be called as “enrichment culture”. (Yang Zijian, 396). Like a mirror, idioms iconically reflect the social system, local customs and practices, religious beliefs, living habits and the concept of value in different historical periods of a nationality. Understanding idioms of a language can help us understand the social culture better. Thereby we can use this language better.Chinese idiom, which carries rich information of Chinese characteristics and particular Chinese culture, is a special form in Chinese. However, under the influence of geographical environment, life custom, historical background and religious belief, idioms of Chinese and English have both similarities and differences in meaning and forms of expression. Idioms are the crystallization of language and culture of the human being, and translation of idioms has caused the attention of the translation field. Whereas the English translation of Chinese idioms is far from satisfactory, owing to cultural factors to a large extent. Cultural elements influence the English translation of Chinese idioms in every aspect. We cannot understand idioms easily if we dont know the cultural background of the idioms, let alone translate well. In order to transmit the information of Chinese idioms to English with a combination of form and meaning, the translator should not only have the ability to master the two languages well but also has a comprehensive understanding of two kinds of culture when translating Chinese idioms into English.Therefore, the translator should make a comparative study of the idioms of two languages from the perspective of culture, so that the cultural features and the connotation of Chinese idioms can be properly rendered in the process of its English translation. That helps the translator not only to master the meaning and usage of idioms but also to convey the information of language and culture of the original text accurately. To translate Chinese idioms from the perspective of culture can let the Westerners know China better and get in touch with the broad and profound culture of the Chinese nation. At the same time, they can also benefit from the spread of Chinese unique cultural atmosphere. In a word, the translation of Chinese idioms plays a vital role in cross-cultural communication.1.1 Definition of IdiomAn idiom is a polysemous word. Idiom can not only refer to a whole language, but also some special units in a language. The following are some cited definitions of idioms: (Yu Qiuling, 68-69).(1) W. Mcmordie, English Idioms and How To Use Them: peculiar uses of particular words.(2) W. J. Ball, A Practical Guide to Colloquial Idioms: the use of familiar words in an unfamiliar sense.(3) Adam Makkai, A Dictionary of American Idioms: the assigning of a new meaning for a group of words which already have their own meaning.(4) A. P. Cowie & R. Mackin, Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English: a combination of two or more words which function as a unit of meaning.(5) Longman Group Ltd., Longman Dictionary of English Idioms: a fixed group of words with a different special meaning from the meaning of the separate words.1.2 Classifications of Idiom Generally speaking, idiom consists of idiom（成语）, proverb, aphorism, slang, colloquial language, twin words, trinomials, idiomatic phrase and habitual idiom. Here are some examples of all kinds of idioms:(1) Proverb and aphorism“覆水难收” (Its no use crying over spilt milk);“拙匠常怨工具差” (A bad workman quarrels with his tool).(2) Slang“弄糟、一塌糊涂” (screw up);“与异性搭讪” (chat up).(3) Colloquial language“暗箭伤人” (hit below the belt/stab in the back);“披着羊皮的狼” (a wolf in a sheeps clothing).(4) Twin words“吃喝玩乐” (beer and skittles);“盛衰” (wax and wane).(5) Trinomials “日月星” (sun, moon and stars);“海陆空” (on land, on sea, and in the sky).(6) Idiomatic phrase“欲速则不达” (the more haste, the less speed);“英雄所见略同” (great minds think alike).1.3 Sources of IdiomThe differences of Chinese and English among culture, history, religion have made the idioms unique in cultures. Originally speaking, idioms mainly derive from literature works, fable stories, religious customs, and so on. Some examples are as follows: (Zhu Xiaoli 96). (1) Literature worksSome examples are from literature works. For example, “man Friday” (忠仆，得力助手), stems from the novel Robinson Crusoe; and “三顾茅庐” originates from The Three Kingdoms.(2) Fable storiesSome examples are from fable stories. For example, bell the cat (替别人冒险), stems from the fable story of “the mouse took to bring the bell to the cat”; “sour grapes” (聊以自慰的话), comes from “the story of the fox”, who could not eat the grape saying the grape was sour.(3) Some examples are from religious customs. For example, “Noahs ark” (诺亚方舟), stems from “Old Testament Genesis.”(4) Historical eventsSome examples are from historical events. For example,“围魏救赵、破釜沉舟”；and “mighty is right” (强权即公理).2. Similarities and Differences of Cultural Connotation Between Chinese and English Idioms2.1 Superposition of Both Image and MeaningAlthough English and Chinese separately belong to the different family of languages, they are interlinked in many aspects. English and Chinese have some idioms corresponding form and cultural connotation. For example, in English we use “Walls have ears” and “隔墙有耳” in Chinese. The two idioms are very similar in both form and meaning. It is said that when Queen Arthur reigned, she constructed some special walls in the Louvre. So people in one room could hear clearly the speaking voice in another room. That suspicious queen had learned many secrets with that method. Then “Walls have ears” in English came into being. “隔墙有耳” in Chinese originates from Guanzi. Both of them mean that the matter secretly discussed was heard by others. Here is the explanation by Longman English Idioms Dictionary: “even the most secret and private conservation may become known to other people”.Another example is as follows, in English we use “burn ones boat” and “破釜沉舟”in Chinese. They are not only homologous in meaning, but also very similar in source allusions. In 49 B.C., Emperor Caesar commanded troops to burn the boats after tided over Rupees Root River, indicating that they would die if they would not win. And Xiangyu in the Qin also did that. Some more examples are as follows, (Pei Shaohua (117-118).“趁热打铁” Strike while the iron is hot;“火上加油”Add fuel to the flames;“善有善报”Do well and have well.2.2 Image SuperpositionChinese and English idioms have the similarities, but the differences are more prominent. Sometimes, Chinese and English nationality says the same thing, but expresses different meanings actually. The identical image will contain completely different meanings in different language. For example, English nationality often treats “dog” as a cute, friendly and sincere animal. Therefore, they have idioms of “dog”, such as “a lucky dog”, “a jolly dog” and “a water dog”. These idioms are used without derogatory meanings. However, Chinese nationality usually regards “dog” as a low and servile animal. Most of idioms of “dog” have the derogatory meanings, such as, “狗地主、狗腿子、走狗、丧家之犬” . Hence, in the process of translation of this kind of idioms there will appear the so-called “false friends”, that is to say, those expressions seem resemble but different in meanings actually. Some more examples are as follows: (Song Zhigao 85-86).“食言” and “eat ones words”;“拉某人的后腿” and “pull somebodys leg”;“儿戏” and “childs play”. 2.3 Meaning SuperpositionThe interlinking of languages has achieved the internal similarity of language, but the different historical and cultural background behind languages has entrusted particularity of them. Therefore, there are only few of English and Chinese idioms corresponding completely in both cultural connotation and form. Many of English and Chinese idioms are similar in meaning but inconsistent in form. For instance, “One boy is a boy, two boys half a boy, three boys no boy” in English and “一个和尚挑水吃, 两个和尚抬水吃, 三个和尚没水吃” in Chinese, they are different in rhetoric and syntax, but their meaning happens to coincide. The following are more examples:“一箭双雕”或“一举两得” “kill two birds with one stone”;“班门弄斧” “teach fish to swim”;“半斤八两” “six of one and half - a -dozen of the other”.2.4 “Lexical Gap”The lexical meaning often has the unique national characteristics. The different culture uses different semantic categories to decompose and describe the world. Therefore, some semantics in one culture possibly do not exist in another. This phenomenon is called “Lexical Gap”. Some Chinese idioms can not find the corresponding part in English. Here are some examples: (Lin Zhijian 115).“非常容易做的事” childs play；“生龙活虎的做某事” go great guns;“令人扫兴的人” a wet blanket. 3. Reasons for the Differences 3.1 Differences in Territorial Environment Peoples language is limited and restrained by the nature, the geography and ecological environment. This kind of environment limitation affects the observations of various nationalities to things. Different nationalities tend to use different references and forms of expression to reflect the same thing. There are big differences in the region, natural environment and geographical environment of English and Chinese nationalities. Britain is an island nation, its seafaring once led the world in the history. But ethnic Han Chinese lives and reproduces in Asia, so Chinese peoples life can not separate from the land. People use “spend money like water” to express “a waste of money”, but in Chinese we use “挥金如土”. There are many idioms of the boat and water in English, but there are not identical corresponding idioms in Chinese. So it is easy to lead confusion in translation. For instance:“奋力图存”instead of“把头放在水面上”, “keep ones head above water;“远远地躲开”not“让出一条宽宽的水域” give (sb. or sth.) a wide berth.On the contrary, there are many idioms about mountains, the four seasons, farming and other aspects in Chinese. It is also difficult to find corresponding idioms in English. We should use liberal translation to convey the true meaning of the idioms in translation. For example:“山重水复疑无路，柳暗花明又一村。” One has a sudden glimpse of hope in the midst of despair; “一日不见如隔三秋。” Miss sb. very much.3.2 Differences in Customs and Culture The differences of English and Chinese customs are embodied in many ways. The most typical embodiment is the attitude of treating a dog. Westerners are fond of dogs, they think the dog is a faithful friend of human. Westerners treat dogs as pets and take good care of them. The majority of idioms of the dog in English have not the derogatory meanings. In the English idioms, people often describe the behavior of people with the image of a dog. Such as “You are a lucky dog.” (你是一个幸运儿); “Every dog has his day.”(凡人皆有得意日); “Old dog will not learn new tricks.”(老人学不了新东西), etc. English uses “sick as a dog” to express“人病得厉害”and “dog-tired” to express“累极了” However, dog is a kind of low position animal in Chinese. Most idioms of dog have the derogatory meaning in Chinese, such as, “狐朋狗党”、“狗急跳墙”、“狗嘴里吐不出象牙” (Yan Ale 15-16). In recent years, increasing number of people has a pet dog, but the derogatory image is deeply embedded in the Chinese and Chinese culture. 3.3 Differences in Religious BeliefsReligion is a special form of human culture. Religion is almost produced and developed together with human culture. Religious culture plays a very important role in the development of various nations history. Religious culture not only affects the social economy, politics, philosophy, literature and art, but also accumulates in peoples deep cultural psychological structure. It impacts peoples thought and behavior potentially and for a long time. English and Chinese idioms both have strong religious feature, and reflect different culture and religious beliefs of two nationalities. Chinese has a lot of idioms related to Buddhism and Taoism, words like“佛、仙、和尚、菩萨” are reflected in Chinese idioms, such as“八仙过海、各显神通”，“道高一尺，魔高一丈”，“借花献佛”，“平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚”. Christian culture dominates Europe nearly two thousand years and shapes unique European culture. Christian culture also impacts immeasurably the emergence and development of European language. English has a lot of idioms related to Christian, such as, (Yang Zijian 396).eye for eye (以牙还牙);as poor as a church mouse (一贫如洗);David and Goliath (弱小者取胜);Man proposes, God disposes (谋事在人，成事在天), etc.3.4 Differences in Historical Background Both English and Chinese have a large number of idioms in history. These idioms are simple in structure and profound in meaning. They often can not be understood and translated literally. Chinese idioms mainly come from fables, myths and legends, such as, “守株待兔”、“叶公好龙”、“官官相护” etc. These idioms fully embody the unique traditions of the Han Nationality, it is difficult to find equivalence in English idioms. Besides the historical story, some of English idioms come from the Bible, myths and fables of Greek and Roman. For example, the British was ruled by the Pope for a long time, the following are idioms related to historical background, “live like a king” (过得像国王一般奢侈)；“Pandora s Box” (潘多拉之盒).3.5 Differences in Values The biggish difference of values of East and West is the relationship between individual and group. In most eastern countries, the benefit of group always exceeds that of the individual. Ranging from family to unit, nation and nationality, individuals must carry out obligations that are ready to sacrifice personal interests and benefits. For example,“先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐” reflects this kind of values. The individuals success or failure of honor is closely linked with the group, such as “光宗耀祖” and “为国争光”. In contrast, individuality is extremely important concept of value in Western culture. The development of individual potential, personal interest and hobby is often supreme. Differing from Chinese custom, Westerners progress wont be affected by conventions. The two idioms “American Dream” and “Depend on others and you always repent.” powerfully reflect the American spir