从功能对等理论看汉语歇后语的翻译

1、湖 南 科 技 大 学毕 业 设 计（ 论 文 ）题目作者学院专业学号指导教师二0一三 年 月 日On the English Translation of Two-part Allegoric Sayings: From the Perspective of Functional Equivalence TheoryA Thesis Submitted to School of Foreign StudiesHunan University of Science and TechnologyIn Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements forThe D

2、egree of Bachelor of ArtsByXie Xiang-pingUnder the Supervision ofLecturer Fang Xiao-qingJune, 2013湖南科技大学毕业设计（论文）任务书 外国语 学院 应用英语 系（教研室）系（教研室）主任: （签名） 年 月 日学生姓名: 谢湘平 学号: 0912010108 专业: 英语 1 设计（论文）题目及专题： 从功能对等理论看歇后语的英译 2 学生设计（论文）时间：自 2012年 12 月5日开始至 2013年 6月10日止3 设计（论文）所用资源和参考资料：1） Nida, E. A. 1964. To

3、ward a Science of TranslatingM. Leiden: Brill.2） Nida, E. A. 1984. On TranslationM. Beijing: China Translation&Publishing Corporation.3） Waard, J.D. 1986. From One Language to Another M. Chicago: Thomas Nelson Inc Publishers. 4) 陈军，2009，歇后语的文化内涵与翻译策略J. 温州大学学报（2）：25-27.5) 温端政，1985，歇后语M. 北京：商务印书馆.

4、4 设计（论文）应完成的主要内容：歇后语作为一种特殊的文本形式有其独特的特征。而歇后语的翻译至今为止仍然是翻译的一个难题。本论文拟以奈达功能对等理论为依据研究影响歇后语翻译的主要因素，并列出歇后语翻译的相应方法。 5 提交设计（论文）形式（设计说明与图纸或论文等）及要求： 1）要求学生认真、独立完成毕业论文的写作 2）要求按照学校规定的论文格式撰写论文 3）要求及时同指导老师进行沟通，按步骤完成论文的写作和答辩工作。 6 发题时间： 2012年 12 月 10 日指导教师： （签名）学 生： （签名）Acknowledgments There are so many people whom I

5、 wish to extend my gratitude to during my composition of the thesis and the past four years of study in the university.I would first express my appreciation to Lecturer Fang Xiao-qing, my supervisor, whose guidance and insightful criticism have been greatly helpful in the writing of the thesis. I ha

6、ve been impressed and inspired by her patience and encouragement, without which this present study would not have been what it is.My thanks also go to the School of Foreign Studies, Hunan University of Science and Technology, where I had great opportunities to attend classes and improve myself in kn

7、owledge as well as my character formation.My gratitude will also extend to my classmates and friends who have helped me all along the past four years and who have given my good advice in my study.Last but not least, Id like to express my thanks to my parents. Their love and concern for me gives me e

8、ndless strength and courage on the way to graduation.AbstractLanguage is the carrier of culture, and the idiom is the essence of language. Moreover, two-part allegoric sayings of idioms are more unique in their expressions. There is no completely corresponding expression in English. Therefore, the c

9、ultural connotation of two-part allegoric sayings formed communication gap in the translation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the guiding significance of equivalent translation theory in the translation practice of two-part allegoric sayings, to reveal the cultural characteristics of two-pa

10、rt allegoric sayings and the cultural differences between English and Chinese language, and to explore the translation methods of two-part allegoric sayings according to Nida's functional equivalence theory.Key Words: Two-part allegoric sayings; Nida; functional equivalence theory中文摘要语言是文化的载体，习语

11、又堪称是语言的精华，而汉语习语中的歇后语更是中国文化独有的表达方式，英语中没有与之完全相对应的表达法。因此，歇后语所传递的文化内涵在汉译英中便形成了交际空白。本文旨在以奈达功能对等理论为理论依据，探讨等效翻译理论在歇后语翻译实践中所具有的指导意义,揭示歇后语的文化特色以及英汉语之间的文化差异，进而探讨歇后语的翻译方法。关键词：歇后语；奈达；功能对等理论ContentsAcknowledgmentsiAbstractii中文摘要iiiIntroduction1I. Introduction to Two-part Allegoric Sayings2 1.1 Definition of Two-

12、part Allegoric Sayings2 1.2 Types of Two-part Allegoric Sayings2 1.3 Characteristics of Two-part Allegoric Sayings3 1.4 Functions of Two-part Allegoric Sayings3 1.4.1 Communicative Function of Two-part Allegoric Sayings4 1.4.2 Rhetoric Fuction of Two-part Allegoric Sayings4 II. An Overview of Functi

13、onal Equivalence.5 2.1 Definition of Functional Equivalence5 2.2 Levels of Functional Equivalence6 2.2.1 Lexical Equivalence6 2.2.2 Syntactic Equivalence6 2.2.3 Contextual Equivalence and Cultural Equivalence.7III. Influential Factor and Methods of Two-part Allegoric Sayings Translation83.1 Influenc

14、e of Cultural Factor Upon Two-part Allegoric Sayings Translation.8 3.2 Methods of Two-part Allegoric Sayings Translation.9 3.2.1 Literal Translation.10 3.2.2 Free Translation.11 3.2.3 Combination of Literal and Free Translation.11 3.2.4 Loan Translation.12 3.2.5 Annotation.13 3.2.6 Partial Translati

15、on143.2.7 Use of Allusions14Conclusion15Bibliography16Introduction“Two-part allegorical sayings, whose second parts bear the main semantic weight, exhibits rich semantic and phonological operations, they are not unanalyzed fixed structures memorized by the users; instead, two-part allegorical saying

16、s are conceptual in nature, exhibiting multiple semantic operations among metaphor, metonymy, and knowledge frame”(Lakoff & Johnson 2003: 58). As for the study of two-part Allegoric Sayings, although many efforts have been taken to explore it, there are still some different ideas about its class

17、ifications, translation methods and so on. In order to help the target language readers have a better understanding about Chinese two-part allegoric sayings and Chinese culture. It is of great importance to introduce two-part allegoric sayings to foreign countries. So the ultimate purpose of this pa

18、per is to explore the translation methods of two-part allegoric sayings under Nida's functional equivalence theory.Based on the previous researches, this paper tends to analyze the translation of two-part allegoric sayings with Functional Equivalence as a guiding theory. This thesis can be divid

19、ed into three chapters as follows:Chapter One provides an introduction to two-part allegoric sayings, including its definition, classification, characteristics and functions. Chapter Two makes an overview of Functional Equivalence theory which consists of its definition and levels. Chapter Three sta

20、rts with the influence of cultural factor upon two-part allegoric sayings translation. Then several methods of two-part allegoric sayings translation have been come up with. Such as Literal translation, free translation, the combination of literal and free translation and so on. I. Introduction to T

21、wo-part Allegoric SayingsTwo-part allegoric sayings is a very special part of Chinese culture, and created by ancient people according to their rich life experiences. It is a kind of special humorous language form and a unique way to express the Chinese national culture. So it is widely used in peop

22、les daily life and some traditional works, such as A Dream of Red Mansions. Two-part allegoric sayings has its own characteristics. Firstly, it consists of two parts in its form. Secondly, figures of speech such as simile and pun can be easily found in its content.1.1 Definition of Two-part Allegori

23、c SayingsTwo-part allegoric sayings has been discussed since 1930s, but its definition still remains controversial in spite of numerous researches and definitions provided by Chinese scholars. Two-part allegoric sayings belongs to the common sayings(idioms), except that it has a particular structure

24、 of a riddle. Two-part allegoric sayings is similar to a phrase for it explains the meaning of a phrase in two parts-the first part can be regarded as a simile or a statement describes a riddle, while the second part, sometimes unstated, carried a message as the answer to the riddle (The Contemporar

25、y Chinese Dictionary of Idioms). 1.2 Types of Two-part Allegoric SayingsThe discussions about the classification have not come to an agreement till now. The representative and widely accepted ones are proposed by Ma Guofan and Gao Gedong, Sun Weizhang, and each of them wins many supporters.Ma Guofan

26、 and Gao Gedong said, “Two-part allegoric sayings can be divided into two types: metaphorical ones and homophonic ones according to whether the second part uses homophones or not”(1979:18). The former ones refer to those whose first parts are metaphors and second parts are explanations for the first

27、 parts. However, the latter ones are related to those whose second parts use homophones to express a sense of pun. As for the latter one, we can see that it is not all-sided because the second part of two-part allegoric sayings expressing puny sense with a homophone is not always right. On the one h

28、and, for instance, “七十岁戴眼镜老花(话)(a seventy-old person wears glasses presbyopia( an old saying)”(刘淑娟2011:5). While on the other hand, in some other cases, such punny sense can be indicated by using a homograph. For example, “一顿饭能吃三升米肚量大( a person can eat three liters of rice in one meala big stomach(

29、a broad tolerance)”(刘淑娟2011:6).Sun Weizhang(1989:289-291) divides two-part allegoric sayings into two types metaphorical ones and puny ones. And metaphorical two-part allegoric sayings include explanatory ones, revealing ones and associating ones based on the relationship between two parts. 1.3 Char

30、acteristics of Two-part Allegoric Sayings“Two-part allegoric sayings is ubiquitous, vividly employing the full spectum of traditional Chinese history and imagery, from the lofty to the mundane”(Rohsenow 1991:59). Which, undoubtedly, is full of the colorful Chinese culture. The first part often provi

31、des a vivid image and the second part intends to explain the implicit meaning of the first part. For example,猫哭耗子假慈悲(A cat crying over a mouse's misfortunesham mercy). It is easy for the readers to imagine a clear picture from the vivid description of the first part, nevertheless, the second par

32、t is the truth and explanation to the first part. As we all know, cat and mouse are a pair of natural enemy, so it is impossible for a cat to show sympathy for a mouse sincerely. The only result of the situation listed above is that the cat show sham mercy to the mouse, and eat the mouse when it is

33、unprepared.1.4 Functions of Two-part Allegoric Sayings“Generally speaking, two-part allegoric sayings plays two kinds of fuctions in its application: communicative fuctions and rhetorical fuxtions”(许家群 2010:7). Most people focus their attentions on the application of Two-part allegoric sayingsin in

34、daily life, that is the communicative functions of two-part allegoric sayings have attracted much attention. However, in fact, the rhetorical effect of Two-part allegoric sayings is its main function. Anyhow, the two types of functions are related to each other and can not be seperated.1.4.1 Communi

35、cative Function of Two-part Allegoric Sayings “For Jakobson, language is above all, as any semiotic system, for communication”(胡壮麟2011:9). In fact, two-part allegoric sayings as a form of language, actually it acts as a tool of communication and often appears in people's daily life as well as ot

36、her language forms. 1.4.2 Rhetoric Fuction of Two-part Allegoric Sayings“The most important rhetorical effect achieved by two-part allegoric sayings is humor, irony or sarcasm embodied in it”(温端政 1985:30). Some Two-part allegoric sayings provide a sense of humour. For example,蚊子叮菩萨认错人(A msquito bite

37、s a clay Buddhamistaking dentity). The first part of this two-part allegoric sayings shows a picture that a mosquito flies into a temple and tries to bite a clay idol whose appearance is similar to a real person.The second part explains that the mosquito mistakes the idol for a true person. Ironic a

38、nd sarcastic effect can be achieved in some other two-part allegoric sayings. For instance,黄鼠狼给鸡拜年没安好心(A weasel pays a New Year call on a hennot with a good intention). The weasel, as everyone knows, is one of the worst enemys of hens, therefore, if a weasel pays a New Year call on a hen, it could n

39、ot have good intentions but want to eat the hen. II. An Overview of Functional Equivalence “Functional equivalence theory” was proposed by American famous translation theorist, Eugene Nida. This theory is considered as the representative works of contemporary translation theory by the western transl

40、ation field. The theory emphasizes the equivalent translation from source language to target language in its culture. Before going to problems and solutions to functional equivalence in two-part allegoric sayings translation, the definition and levels of functional equivalence are discussed first. 2

41、.1 Definition of Functional Equivalence “Dynamic equivalence”, a key concept in Nida's translation theory, defined as “the principle of equivalent effect”. By the mid-1980s, “dynamic equivalence” was replaced by “functional equivalence”. “Functional equivalence” allows a wide range of diversity

42、in translating, so the translator can have more freedom to deal with problems in translation. In such a translation, dynamic translation, one is not so concerned with matching the receptor-language message with the source language message, but with the dynamic relationship, that the relationship bet

43、ween receptor and message should be substantially the same as that which existed between the original receptors and the message(Nida 1964:150 ).“Dynamic equivalence is therefore to be defined in terms of the degree to which the receptor of the message in the receptor language respond to it in substa

44、ntially the same manner as the receptors in the source language”(Nida 1969:24). The relationship between the target language receptor and the source text should generally be equivalent to that between the source language receptor and the source text. Functional equivalence translation pays much more

45、 attention to the receptor's response and naturalness of target language than language forms. “A translation of functional equivalence aims at complete naturalness of expression, and tries to relate the receptor to modes of behavior relevant within the context of his own culture; it does not ins

46、ist that he understand the cultural patterns of the source-language context in order to comprehend the message”(Nida 1964:159).2.2 Levels of Functional EquivalenceTranslation involves message transmission between two languages and cultures. The definition of translation proposed by Nida shows that t

47、ranslation is not only related to equivalence of lexical meaning, but also the equivalence of text connotation and style , while message transmission includes surface lexical message and deep cultural message. Functional equivalence mainly contains four levels: lexical equivalence, syntactic equival

48、ence, contextual equivalence and cultural equivalence.2.2.1 Lexical equivalenceThe meaning of a word lies in its usage in language. In translation activities, it is hard to find the corresponding meaning in target language. For example, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away”, both “apple” and “doct

49、or” have several meanings without a concrete context. Therefore, we can understand this sentence in two different ways: (1) One can keep healthy by eating an apple everyday; (2) One can not get a doctor degree with playing an iPhone everyday.2.2.2 Syntactic equivalenceSyntactic equivalence is based

50、on the foundation of lexical equivalence and more complicated than lexical equivalence because different target languages, number and tense should be taken into consideration in sentence translation activities. Thus, the translator should be clear about different grammars of different languages.2.2.

51、3 Contextual equivalence and cultural equivalenceContextual equivalence consists of three parts, passage equivalence, scene equivalence and cultural equivalence. In fact, cultural equivalence is the most important thing in translation of two-part allegoric sayings. There are a great number of reason

52、s, such as different backgrounds, language barriers and so on. For example,山中无老虎猴子称霸王(When the cat is away, the mice will play). There is no necessary relationship between “tiger” and “monkey” in the western culture, therefore it is a big mistake if the translator takes the cultural equivalence out

53、of consideration and translates this two-part allegoric sayings like this, (When the tiger is away, the monkey is the king ). Anyway, in order to be a great translator, people should try their best to overcome any difficulty and to achieve the goal of cultural equivalence translation.III. Influentia

54、l Factor and Methods of Two-part Allegoric Sayings Translation In this part, some two-part allegoric sayings translation methods are provided, but before that it is necessary to discuss the influential factors of two-part allegoric sayings translation.3.1 Influence of Cultural Factor Upon Two-part A

55、llegoric Sayings Translation Nowadays, many foreigners are enthusiastic about learning Chinese language and Chinese culture. However, two-part allegoric sayings, as a part of Chinese culture, is not so popular among foreign countries because many foreigners cannot understand two-part allegoric sayings in their own thoughts. Why does such an embarrassing situation appear? As far as I am concerned, some barriers in two-part allegoric sayings translation lead to that problem. In order to solve that problem and spread Chinese culture into the whole world better, it is imp