A-Study-of-the-Translation-of-English-and-Chinese-Idioms---英语专业毕业设计论文.docx

2014届毕业生
毕业论文

题 目: A Study of the Translation of English and Chinese Idioms

院系名称： 外语学院 专业班级： 英语F1006班
学生姓名： 学 号： 201048180324
指导教师： 教师职称： 副教授

2014年5 月 20 日

A Study of the Translation of English and Chinese Idioms

School of Foreign Languages
of
Henan University of Technology
Supervisor: Cheng Xiongyong

 May 20, 2014

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Acknowledgments

Many people deserve my sincere thanks for helping me in various aspects and at various stages of completing this paper. First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Cheng Xiongyong, whose profound knowledge, strict attitude towards academic research have kindled my interest in translation. He has given me much helpful advice, constructive suggestions on the collection of data and materials, and a lot of correction in the structure of the paper and the sentence patterns of the thesis. When I finished the first draft, Professor Cheng Xiongyong read very carefully the entire version of it. His detailed revisions and useful suggestions have drawn my attention to a number of deficiencies and have made many things clearer for me.
I am also grateful to my parents and friends, who encourage me and help me to overcome the difficulties. Many thanks also go to those who helped me look up the relevant information and materials. Their insightful suggestions have contributed to the shaping of my thesis.
I also want to extend my thanks to all the writers whose works are referred to in this paper.

Abstract

Different people from different cultures may have different understandings of the same sentence. The reason is to talk the two sides did not really understand each other's culture. Therefore, it is necessary to study the cultural differences between Chinese and western completely. Idioms are the essence of national culture, reflecting the national customs. It as the essence of language is bearing the rich cultural information, fully reflects the cultural differences between English and Chinese two languages. So readers of English and Chinese readers, do a thorough understanding precisely contain profound cultural connotation and translation of idioms is relatively difficult. Translation of English and Chinese idioms is in the prominent position of the translation. So accurate idiom translation plays an important role in foreign language teaching and learning. Because of various factors on the expression of English idioms have a lot of difference, so to strengthen the understanding of differences in Chinese and English idioms translation has very important significance. Therefore, this paper expounds the definition of idioms, which can reflect the differences between Chinese and western culture from the idioms, probes into the two languages in living environment, traditional customs, material cultures, religious beliefs and historical allusions and so on cultural differences. It also includes the translation skills of English and Chinese idioms. Therefore, the translation of English and Chinese idioms should not only two languages simple conversion, more should be a cultural communication. Mastering the translation of idioms, to cultivate the language understanding and cross-cultural communicative ability is very necessary.

Key words: English; Chinese; idiom; difference; translation.

摘要

同一句话，不同的文化背景的人反应有时是不同的，甚至会截然相反。究其原因是说话双方没有真正了解对方的文化。因此，完全有必要对中西文化差异进行研究。习语是各国文化的精髓，反映各国的风俗习惯。它作为语言的精华承载着丰富的文化信息，充分反映出英汉两种语言的文化差异。因此对英语读者和汉语读者来说，做到彻底精确地理解并翻译出蕴含深刻文化内涵的习语是相对比较困难的。英汉习语的翻译在整个翻译中占着突出的地位。所以准确的成语翻译在外语学习中起着重要的作用。由于各种因素在英语习语的表达有很大的差异,所以加强了解汉语和英语习语翻译的差异具有非常重要的意义。因此，文章阐述了习语的定义，从最能体现中西文化差异的习语着手，探讨了两种语言在生活环境中,传统习俗,物质文化,宗教信仰和历史典故等方面的文化差异。它还包括英语和汉语习语的翻译技巧。因此，英汉习语的翻译不应只是两种语言的简单转换，更应是文化的交流。掌握习语的翻译，对于培养语言的领悟力和跨文化的交际能力是十分必要的。

关键词：英语；汉语；习语；差异；翻译

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Contents

Acknowledgements………………………………………………………...….ⅰ
Abstract (English)……………………………..........................................……ⅱ
Abstract (Chinese)…………………………………………………………..…ⅲ
1. Introduction……………………………………………………...............1
2. Idioms……………………………………………………………………..….2
2.1 The Definition of English Idioms………….……………………………2
2.2 The Definition of Chinese Idiom………………………………………..2
2.3 Origins of idioms………………………………………………………..3
3. Cultural differences between English and Chinese Idioms…….…………….3
3.1 Geographical Environment……………………………………………...4
3.2 Customs………………………………………………………………....4
3.3 Historical Allusions and Myths……………..….……….………………6
3.4 Religious Beliefs…………………………………………………….….6
4. Idiom Translation Methods……………………………...…………………...7
4.1 The Literal Translation……………………………………...………......7
4.2 Free Translation…………………………………………………….…...8
4.3 Replacement…………………………………………………………….9
4.4 A literal translation and free translation…….………….....…………...10
5. Conclusion……………………………………………………………….….10
Bibliography……………………………………………………………….......11

1. Introduction
Language, as a symbol system, expresses traces of a particular society and reflects unique cultural heritage. Language is the most important communicative tool for human beings and also one of the most important parts of culture. Language of any kind is the crystallization of the culture of its own nation. John Lyons, an English linguist, pointed that, “language is a part of culture. Differences on the language usage will expose the features of the social culture in terms of the substances, customs and other activities.” (Lyons 1977 30). Idioms are the essence of a language, which always have strong national colors and distinctive cultural connotation and are philosophical and eternal. Both in Chinese and English, there are various idioms.
Nowadays, the status of China in the world is upgrading gradually. People all over the world, especially those of English-speaking countries, take delight in acquainting themselves with Chinese culture. Since the English and Chinese idiom reflects Chinese and English culture and is crystallization of the wisdom of common people, the study of English and Chinese idioms is bound to become an important part of culture study.
According to Deng Yanchang and Liu Runqing's studies (1995), the proverbs might provide little clues to a people's geographical environment, history, social customs, social values, and their attitudes. Because of the differences in natural geography, religious beliefs, tradition and customs, fables, myths, and arts of English and Chinese culture, the differences are significant. It’s difficult for people to understand idioms of other countries well. Therefore it is important to study the Chinese and English idioms for better understanding and communication between Chinese and English speakers.
In this paper, the author will make an analysis of cultural differences between English idioms and Chinese idioms. In addition, this paper discussed the translation methods such as literal translation, free translation, the method of borrowing and so on. The aim is to enrich language learners' knowledge on cultural sources of English and Chinese idioms. So it is helpful to avoid misunderstanding in cross culture communication.
2. Idioms
An idiom is set phrases or short sentences abstract from the spoken language, classical works or the like which is passed down from generation to generation for centuries. It is the summary of people’s experience and the crystallization of people’s wisdom, which has vivid image, profound implications and exquisite rhythms.
2.1 Definition of English Idioms
In the broad sense, idioms may include : set phrases; proverbs; sayings; epigrams; slang expressions; colloquialisms; quotations; two-part allegorical sayings. The definition of Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English idiom is a phrases or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of it individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit. The Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, 2nd college edition 1972 defines idiom as, “an accepted phrases, construction, or expression contrary to the patterns of the language or having a meaning different from the language or having a meaning different from the literal.” According to Oxford Advantaged Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary, an idiom is “a phrase or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit”. Li funing has another definition about English idiom in this way: An English idiom is an element of a language that possesses a unique way of expression based on its time-honored use. A simple definition of English idiom wound be the use of common words in a special sense. Hu Zhuanglin considered that English idiom is especially true for a sequence of words which is semantically and often syntactically restricted.
2.2 Definition of Chinese Idioms
In New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998), defines idiom as: idioms are a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. According to Cihai (Xia, 1999), “Shuyu are fixed phrases or sentences of a language, which cannot be modified arbitrarily. They must be interpreted as a semantic unit. Chinese idioms are called as ‘shuyu’, including: set phrases, proverbs, slangs, two-part allegorical sayings (xiehouyu) and common sayings (suyu). A “shu yu” is usually a fixed word combination or sentence whose structure is usually unable to be changed in use. A Chinese idiom is newly defined as “a Chinese idiom, constituted by words, relatively fixed in structure, is a narrative language unit which can perform a multiple of functions.”(Wen 2005 17)
2.3 Origins of Idioms
Idioms are long standing and well established. For thousands of years, people draw lessons and experience form their daily life and then write them down to tell their offspring what they have gotten form their experiences. As a result, most of the idioms reflect almost everything related to the daily life of the common people.
Some idioms originate from myths and fables. In every country, there exist plenty of myths and fables. From generation to generation, lots of symbolic idioms stand out from myths and fables and are employed to convey some special meanings.
In addition, some of the idioms from historical allusions, have strong national colors and distinctive cultural personality, contains rich historical and cultural information, can maximum limit to reflect the characteristics of different history and culture. Most of the historical allusions left deep impression in people’s mind and taught people many lessons, so they were often mentioned and fixed in the form of idioms.
Literature is artistic form of language and also the constituent and carrier of the culture. People all over the world invariably appreciate classical literary works. Words and sentences with profound meaning and enlightenment form idioms.
3. Cultural Differences between English and Chinese Idioms
Language is the major part of the culture. Idioms are the essence of the language, so they are influenced by culture to a great extent.
Cultural differences refers to people in different ecological and natural environment habit language, knowledge, beliefs, the outlook on life, values, ways of thinking, morality, customs and habits are different. Cultural differences can cause people to the same thing or different understanding and explanation of the concept of rational unified, sometimes even cause misunderstanding, idiom is one of extremely concise way of reflect the cultural differences. In terms of English and Chinese idioms, cultural difference is mainly manifested in the following respects. This part is to discuss cultural differences of English and Chinese idioms which include geographical environment, customs, historical events, religious beliefs.
3.1 Geographical Environment
Geographical environment plays an important role in shaping one country’s culture and human beings have no choices and capacities to change the geography. As a result, idiom based on geographical features appear different.
Different cultures and national features are mostly determined by different geographical environment. For example, Britain is an island country, its owner once led the world, and ocean shipping and fishing industry occupies an important position in the British economy, which makes many of English idioms about water and fish(Ping＆Zhang 2000 pp.49-57). For example, all at sea--at a loss; All hands to the pumps--everybody go risk refers to the situation, will go all out; Like a fish out of water--in a strange environment, uncomfortable. Drink like a fish--metaphor can drink; a big fish in a small pond--in a small range of famous people, runt of the giant and so on. And the Han nationality is located in the Eurasian continent, the life of people leave the land, many idioms related to agriculture(Chen 2008 pp.138-140), such as: wugufengdeng (abundant harvest of all food crops); huijinrutu (spend money like water); zhongguadegua, zhongdoudedou (As you sow you shall mow.); mianrutuse (one 's face turned white/pale).
Based on the above analysis, so different living surroundings may produce different idioms in different language and different culture.
3.2 Customs
Idioms are featured in profound life flavor and distinctive national color. Customs are the representation of a nation’s cultural consciousness during a long history. They are the fertile soil from which idioms can draw nutrition and gain strong vitality. Many idioms are derived from customs and habits. In British and Americans, fish, bread, butter, egg, milk, wine and cake are the main food for. So it is easy for these people to take them as metaphors in their expression. For example, in America, apple-pie is a common food. Housewives often bake seven apple-pies at the beginning of a week and eat one pie for one day. Thus, “apple-pie order” becomes the substitutive expression for “neat and in good order”. Another idiom relating food is “a piece of cake”, which means an easy task, for cake is a common dessert in English culture. However, in Chinese culture, cake is a comparatively high grade food. And a small dish (xiao cai) has an important position in Chinese people’s life. People can get a small dish easily in their life. Therefore, we Chinese people tend to use “xiao cai yi die” to refer to the same concept.
The differences concerning customs and habits between western world and China are displayed in many aspects. The most typical one lies on the attitude towards animals. First is the dog. In Chinese culture, under most circumstances, dog is an animal representing dirty and filthy. Idioms linked with dog are mostly containing derogatory sense, such as “hupenggouyou” (evil associates), “goujitiaoqiang