英语成语与文化6.ppt

,AnimalIdioms,UNIT5,我们学习英语习语的时候,如果对其产生的历史背景有所了解,就会有助于我们的记忆和应用,在翻译时也能更准确地表达原文的意义。Heeatsnofish.他是诚实的人。Toraincatsanddogs.下倾盆大雨,1.从文化历史背景看动物习语的内涵,2.1喻义的鉴别2.2同一喻体不同的喻指含义2.3动物习语设喻的民族特性,2.从设喻角度看动物习语的喻指含义,2.1喻义的鉴别,动物习语的构成往往是约定俗成的,具有固定的搭配方式,因此在scentarat(嗅出有老鼠)中没有比喻,只是字面意义;而smellarat(觉察或怀疑其中有诈)中完全是用的比喻义。此外,有些动物名称需要与特定的词连用才有比喻义。toleadacatanddoglife夫妻之间的吵闹,以至于无法共同生活的情形,2.2同一喻体不同的喻指含义,都是用horse作喻体,只因定语不一样,喻义大不相同。flogawillinghorse对工作努力的人加以鞭策flogadeadhorse“重提已经解决了的问题”或“作徒劳无益的事”,2.3动物习语设喻的民族特性,Sheisacat她是个包藏祸心的女人drinklikeafish(toregularlydrinkalotofalcohol)习惯性的豪饮,3.英汉语言中动物文化含义的异同,日常生活中，一般不能将人与动物相提并论，但语言中却有不少借动物的特性来形容人的特性的词语。值得注意的是，这种比喻性表达法往往因语言、文化的不同而具有不同的含义。,1.cat(猫)俗话说“猫有九命”，这是汉语的说法。此外，中国人常戏称嘴馋的人为“馋猫”。,cat在西方是人们宠爱之物pet)，但令人奇怪的是，在英语理语中，cat的含义为aspitefulorunpleasantwoman(心地恶毒或令人讨厌的女人)。照此看来，似乎是中国的猫可亲，西方的猫可恶了。2.dog（狗）在英语中dog的形象一般不差，常可泛指“个人”。如谚语:Everydoghashisday.agaydog。但dog也有形象不佳之时。dogeatdogadoginthemanger。,在汉语里，尽管狗在某些地方也为宠物，但“狗”的形象总是不雅，因而用来指人时多含贬义。如“狗咬狗”、“哈巴狗”、“走狗”，“狗仗人势”、“癫皮狗”等等。,3.bear（熊）在中国人的心目中，熊的形象一般是“行为缓慢”，因而具有“呆傻”之态;指人时常有“熊样”之说;目前形容股市不景气乃称“熊市”。但英语用bear指人时，则为abad-temperedorbad-manneredperson(粗鄙之人、鲁莽之人);另一习惯用语belikeabearwithasorehead则表示“脾气暴躁”。,4.pig（猪）英国人也给pig以丑恶的形象。Apig意为agreedy，dirtyorbad-manneredperson(贪婪、肮脏或无礼貌的人)。注意，最后一喻意似乎未进人汉语。,5.bull(牛)在英语中，人们把力大体壮的人或彪形大汉称为bull，把粗大的声音说成abullsvoice：在同类中大号的东西成为bull，如abullladle(大勺)。其动词用法如tobullabillthroughCongress(强使国会通过一项法案)；Hebulledhiswayintotherook(他挤过人群走进房间)。同是一种动物，两种文化中的内涵相差千万里。因此，汉语中的“老黄牛”“牛气”“吹牛”等词翻译起来要格外注意，,老黄牛awillingcow；apersonwhoservesthepeoplewholeheartedly”，吹牛stubbornness；obstinacy；pigheadedness；stubborntemper；bullheaded；dogged”，牛气arrogant；self-important,在英语中ox包含cow(奶牛)和bull(公牛)。Setacowtocatchahare(放牛逐兔，徒劳无功)。Hecowedhiswifeintoobedience(妻子被他吓得服服帖帖)。Thechildhadacowedlook(孩子看上去很害怕)。只是在俚语里有时指粗笨肥胖的女人、多次生育的女人、婊子等。,马Agoodhorseshouldseldomspurred.好马不用鞭Agoodhorsecannotbeofabadcolour.好马无劣色Dontchangehorsesinthemiddleoftheriver行到河中不换马Putthecartbeforethehorse本末倒置,Lockthestabledoorafterthehorseisstolen贼去关门Tisagoodhorsethatneverstumbles马有失蹄说大话”，汉语说“吹牛”，可英语却用talkhorse.汉语一般用牛来形容力气大；而英语中用horse，如，Heisasstrongasahorse.,1.Asblindasabat.字面意思：像蝙蝠一样瞎。,AnimalIdioms,Meaning视力极差。,ExampleWithoutglasses,heisasblindasabat.,ExplanationHavingverybadeyesight.,2.Havebatsinthebelfry字面意思：在教堂钟楼里养蝙蝠。.,e.g.Donttakeanynoticeofwhathesaid;hehasgotbatsinthebelfry.,Key想法古怪，大脑有些不正常。,ExplanationHavestrangeideas;beslightlymad.,3.Likeabearwithasorehead.字面意思：像头疼的狗熊一样。,ExampleHeislikeabearwithasoreheadeverymorning.,Key脾气很不好。,ExplanationBeverybad-tempered.,4.Makeabeastofoneself.字面意思：把自己弄成个野兽。,ExampleThehusbandmadeabeastofhimselfeverydayandintheendhiswifeaskedforadivorce.,Key行为举止不文明，没教养。,ExplanationBehaveinanuncivilizedway,5.Likearedragtoabull字面意思：对公牛来说就像一块红布。,ExampleTohiswife,theinvitationofherhusbandsformergirlfriendtodinnerwaslikearedragtoabull.,Key使人非常生气的语言或行为。,ExplanationThesortofthingwhichmakesaparticularpersonveryangry.,6.Takethebullbythehorns.字面意思：抓住公牛的角。,ExampleThisthreatisntgoingtogoawaybyitself.Wewillhavetotakethebullbythehornsandsettlethismatteronceandforall.,Key大胆地面对困难；毫不犹豫地接受挑战。,ExplanationFaceadifficultyordangerboldly;meetachallengedirectly.,7.Killthefattedcalf.字面意思：杀肥牛犊。,ExampleHewelcomedmeathomebykillingthefattedcalf.,Key为欢迎某人而举行丰盛的宴席；把最好的东西拿出来给别人吃。,ExplanationMakeafeasttowelcomesomebody.,8.Worshipthegoldencalf.字面意思：崇拜金牛犊。,ExampleThesedaysmanypeopleworshipthegoldencalf,asaresult,thecrimeratehasincreased.,Key为个人得失而放弃原则或崇拜金钱；拜金主义。,ExplanationWorshipmoney;abandononesprinciplesforthesakeofgains.,9.Thestrawthatbrokethecamelsback.字面意思：压断骆驼背的那根草。,ExampleThehusbandacceptedhisformergirlfriendsinvitationtodinner,andhiswifeaskedforadivorcebecausethiswasthestrawthatbrokethecamelsback.,Key使人崩溃或形势恶化到不能容忍的最后一件事。英文还有一句类似谚语：Thelaststrawwillbreakacamelsback（最后一根草也会压断骆驼的背）。,ExplanationSomethingaddedtoasituationwhichmakesitintolerable.,10.Leadacatanddoglife.字面意思：像猫和狗生活在一起一样。,ExampleTheyhadledacatanddoglifeeversincethebeginningoftheirmarriage.,Key无休止的吵闹，尤其是在夫妻或一家人之间。变体：Livelikecatanddog.,ExplanationBealwaysquarreling(betweenwifeandhusband),11.Putthecatamongthepigeons.字面意思：把猫放在一群鸽子中间。,ExampleWhenTonytoldofMarysproblemswiththepolice,hereallyputthecatamongthepigeons.,Key制造麻烦、挑起事端、引起争端，特别指突如其来的行为。变体：Setthecatamongthepigeons.,ExplanationCausetroubleoradisturbance,especiallybydoingorsayingsomethingunexpectedlyorsuddenly.,12.Letthecatoutofthebag.字面意思：让猫钻出袋子。,ExampleHispromotionwassupposedtobeasecret;butsomeoneletthecatoutofthebagandsoeverybodyinthecompanyknewofhispromotion.,Key泄露秘密。说明：过去曾有不法分子为赚钱，把猫装在袋子里当小猪卖。现比喻露馅儿。,ExplanationGiveawayasecret.,13.Notenoughroomtoswingacat字面意思：没有足够的空间来摇摆猫。,ExampleItwasagreatpartyandthereweresomanypeopleintheroomthattherewasntenoughroomtoswingacat.,Key空间有限。变体：Thereisnoroomtoswingacat.说明：Room表示空间。,ExplanationLimitedspace.,14.Playcatandmousewithsomeone.字面意思：跟某人玩猫和老鼠的游戏。,ExampleThepoliceplayedcatandmousewiththegang;theyhopetocatcheveryoneinthegangallatonce.,Key在采取行动之前，迷惑某人，引某人上钩，采取欲擒故纵的手段。,ExplanationBeforetakingaction,tricksomeonesothattheywillmakeamistake.,15.Waitforthecattojump.字面意思：等待、观察那只猫朝什么方向跳。,ExampleCautiousinvestorsalwayswaitforthecattojumpbeforesigninganycontract.,Key自己表态或做出计划之前，先观察别人在想什么、做什么。变体：Seewhichwaythecatwilljump,ExplanationWaittoseewhatothersarethinkingordoingbeforemakinganyplans.,16.Fightlikecatanddog.字面意思：像猫和狗打闹一样。,ExampleWebecamefriendsaswegrewolder,butwhenwewereyoungwefoughtlikecatanddog.,Key无休止的激烈吵闹。说明：视具体情况，也可用复数：Fightlikedogsandcats.,ExplanationArgueviolentlyallthetime.,17.Tillthecowscomehome.字面意思：直到母牛回家的时候。,ExampleAreyouwaitingforyourwife?Youwillhavetowaittillthecowscomehome.Isawherdancinginthehallanhourago.,Key需要（等待）很长的时间。说明：母牛出去吃草，吃得慢，吃得多，很晚才回家。,ExplanationForalongtime.,18.Adogandponyshow.字面意思：狗和矮种马的展示。,ExampleTheacrobaticperformancewaspartofadogandponyshowthecountryputonforthebenefitsoftheiroverseasguests.,Key为得到人们的支持或为了推销产品而举行的活动。,ExplanationAshoworothereventthathasbeenorganizedinordertogetpeoplessupportortopersuadethemtobuysomething.,19.Adogslife字面意思：狗的日子。,ExampleItisreallyadogslifehavingtospendfourhourseachdaytravelingtoandfromwork.,Key艰难困苦的日子；（过）猪狗不如的日子。,ExplanationAverymiserableorhardlife.,20.Cantteachanolddognewtricks.字面意思：教不会老狗新把戏。,ExampleOfcourseIcanlearn,shoutedUncleBob,Whosaysyoucantteachanolddognewtricks?,Key岁数大的人学不会新东西。,ExplanationOldpeoplecannotlearnanythingnew.,21.Dogsomeonesfootsteps.字面意思：跟着别人的脚印走。,ExampleMylittledaughterdogsmyfootstepswhereverIgo.,Key紧紧跟随某人；跟踪某人；类似步某人的后尘或重蹈覆辙。,ExplanationFollowsomeoneclosely.,22.Dog-eat-dog.字面意思：狗吃狗。,ExampleUniversitiesarenotquietandpeacefulplaces.Itisacaseofdog-eat-dogforpromotion.,Key为生存或获得成功而进行的残酷无情的争斗；残酷的竞争；人吃人（的社会）。,ExplanationAsituationinwhichonehastoactruthlesslyinordertosurviveorsucceed;ruthlesscompetition.,23.Giveadogabadnameandhanghim字面意思：给狗一个坏的名声然后绞死它。,ExampleDuringtheCulturalRevolution,itwascommonplacetogiveadogabadname,justbecausethepersonhadrelationslivingoverseas.,Key即使一个人是无辜的，要想说他坏，随便都能找到理由去批评指责他。相当于汉语的说法：欲加之罪，何患无辞。,ExplanationIfapersonisregardedasbad,hewillbeblamedforanythingwrong,evenifheisinnocent.,24.Hairofthedogthatbitone.字面意思：那只咬你的狗的毛。,ExampleYouhaveaheadache?Thatsbecauseyoudranktoomuchlastnight.Youreallyneedsomeofthehairofthedogthatbityou.,Key头一天喝酒过量，一觉醒来，酒劲儿没过，还头疼，再喝一口同一种酒，据说能治头疼。许多国家的人都相信如被狗咬伤，把那只咬人狗的毛拿来，放在伤口上，伤口才能愈合得快。尤其是患狂犬病的狗。,ExplanationAnalcoholicdrinktakenwhenonehasahangover;analcoholicdrinktakenwhenoneisrecoveringfromdrinkingtoomuchalcohol.,25.Inthedoghouse.字面意思：在狗窝里。,ExampleMyfatherforgotitwasmymothersbirthday,soheisinthedoghousenow.,Key因做了对不起别人的事而受惩罚或内疚、自责。说明：狗不听话就可能被关在笼子里。,ExplanationIndisgraceordislike;facingpunishment.,26.Leadsomeoneadogslife.字面意思：让某人过狗的日子。,ExampleWhenIwasworkingattheschool,thePrincipalledmeadogslife.,Key不给别人好日子过；不让别人安宁。变体：Givesomeoneadogslife.,ExplanationGivehim/hertroublecontinuallyandlethim/herhavenopeace.,27.Putonthedog.字面意思：把狗带在身上。,ExampleTheyputonthedoginfrontoftheirguests,buttheguestswerenotimpressed.,Key炫耀、摆阔。竭力表现自我，好像自己非常重要、非常富有。但实际并非如此。,ExplanationTrytoseemmoreimportantandricherthanyoureallyare.,28.Letsleepingdogslie字面意思：让睡觉的狗躺着。,ExampleWeshouldletsleepingdogslieandnottellherthathersonrefusestocontinuehisuniversitystudies.,Key不要自找麻烦。,ExplanationDontdisturbanythingwhichseemssatisfactory,becausethismaycausetrouble;donotlookfortrouble.,Liveadogslife字面意思：过狗的日子。,ExampleShehasbeenworkingsohard,andsheistiredoflivingadogslife.,Key过悲惨的生活。变体：Leadadogslife.说明：参见本单元第19条成语。,ExplanationLeadamiserablelife.,30.Notadogschance字面意思：没有狗的机会。,ExampleShehasntadogsc