A Research on the Comparison and Translating Technologyof Chinese and English Animal IdiomsAbstract: The study of language is the most effective means of learning different culture of various regions, and idioms are quintessence of the language as it has been chastened hundreds of years. This paper mainly focuses on “English and Chinese animal idioms”, which is the funniest part of the quintessence, to make clear the differences of history and culture between China and other western countries through comparison and study, and to illustrate some translation skills of animal idioms. The whole paper gets to the point from three aspects: The first part explains the concept of the animal idioms of both English and Chinese; the second part grasps the inner significance of cultural differences between China and other western countries, by comparing the different associated meanings of “dog”, “horse” and “sheep” in Chinese and English; the last part of the paper brings up three effective skills in translating animal idioms, literal translation, change of image, and free translation.Key Words: animal idioms; cultural difference; translation skills; change of images英汉动物成语地比较与翻译技巧摘要：语言研究是学习不同地域文化最有效地方法,而成语则是千百年语言磨练地精华.本文主要着眼于这精华中最有趣地一部分——英汉动物成语,通过比较.学习来透析中西方历史和文化地差异并且总结出动物成语地一些翻译技巧.全文分三方面来阐述：第一部分,简略地解释了英汉成语概念；第二部分,通过对“狗”“马”和“羊”在英汉成语中不同地形象联想意义地比较,洞悉中西方地文化差异；第三部分,提出了英汉动物成语中三种有效地翻译技巧——直译.想象转换地意译.关键词：动物成语, 文化差异, 翻译技巧, 形象转换CONTENTS1. Introduction: The concept of English and Chinese idioms (1)2. The comparision of imaginative meanings between English and Chinese idioms................................................... (2)2.1 Dog, the typical animal in understanding of animal idioms between chinese and western culture. 22.2 Horse, favorited by both chinese andwesterner.................................................. . (3)2.3 Sheep, regarded as the weak and small animals in the eyesof both chinese and western cultures. 43. Translation skills of English and Chinese animal idioms53.1 The literal translation method 53.2 The change of image method 73.3. The free translation method 94. Conclusion (13)Bibliography................................................................... . (14)1.Introduction: The concept of English and Chinese idiomsWe usually translated “成语”of Chinese into “idiom”of English. As everyone knows, the Chinese and English idioms are not the same. The word "idiom" has two meanings. In its broad sense, it is translated as "习语", including colloquialisms, proverbs and slang expression, and so on. "习语"means “熟语”in Chinese. Chinese "熟语" is commonly used in figurative phrases or sentences , including the idiom, usage, proverbs, maxims, Xie Houyu, and so on. In its narrow sense, it is translated as "成语", distinctive from "习语" , it means which English has long been used to express the full meaning, structure stereotypes of fixed phrases or phrase. However the narrow sense of English "idiom" is different from the Chinese idiom, there are still unequal relations between two concepts. Chinese idiom, according to <Modern Chinese Dictionary>, is the figurative phrases or short sentences with the concise form and insightful meanings used by people in a long time learning. Most Chinese idiom are composed by four words, the general has provenance. "Chinese idioms’structure is always fixed, Chinese has two-word idioms, such as"推敲", Chinese has three-word idioms, such as “下马威”, “鸟兽散” and so on,there are also have5, 6, 7 or even 12-character idioms such as“树倒猢狲散” (the saying goes as idioms), “风马牛不相及”(six-word idioms), “醉翁之意不在酒” (seven-word idioms),“只许周官放火,不许百姓点灯”(12-character idioms), but most Chinese idioms are generally four words with symmetry and rhythm coordination. While the English proverb’s (or idioms) numberof words is not fixed and has a wide range, including idioms, allusions, proverbs, maxims, and the saying goes and so on, some proverbs and evolution have evolved into the idioms. Chinese idioms are mainly used in written as well as used in spoken; English idioms mainly used in spoken but also used in written.This article compares the similarities and differences betweenthe English idioms and thus to understand the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western cultures and languages,in order to solve some of the difficulties in translating the English and Chinese idioms.2.The comparison of imaginative meanings between English and Chinese idiomsHuman emotions to animals often vary from people to people,from country to country. Comparing the English and Chinese idioms, one can see: the dog are the most different animal in understanding of animal idioms between Chinese andWestern cultures. The horse is the favorite of Chinese and Westerner, the sheep are regarded as the weak and small animals in the eyes of both Chinese and Western cultures. Through visual comparison between these animals, we can better understand the differences between East and West, we will in-depth grasp of the language in English Learning, therefore we will perform more easily, more elegant and appropriate in the practice of communication with westerners.2.1 Dog, the typical animal in understanding of animal idioms between Chinese and western culture.In China's culture from top to bottom 5,000 years, "dog" has been considered to be the most lowly animals. Although we also know a "dog" means honest,loyal (such as: "狗不嫌家贫"), but the majority of idioms with the dog describe nauseous things or persons. When Dogs used to refer to people, it is the curse actually, it means helping the bad person do bad things, such as: “走狗”.“狗仗人势”.“狗奴才”.“狗腿子” and “狗头军师”and so on. In addition, the other idioms with "dog" commonly have derogative meanings, such as: “狼心狗肺”.“狗急跳墙”.“狐朋狗友”.“鼠窃狗偷”.“狗嘴里吐不出象牙”and so on. In Britain and the United States and other Western countries, "dog" is considered the most loyal, friendly friends. In theirhearts, the dog is no longer a vulgar, common animals, but has been given like"a person's " life, get a dog they loved in their life is happy enough. Therefore, in spoken English, the "dog" refers to the many idioms, such as: "a lucky dog", "a gay dog" (who like to play), "a dirty dog" (Bad Boy) , "A sly dog" (the crafty guy), "a dumb dog" (reticent people), here "dog" means only a "person or guy." It is well-known in the world that Americans love the dogs. Just talk about The White House dog. Franklin Roosevelt's beloved small gundog Fala was forgotten in the Aleutian Islands in a travel. President Roosevelt immediately dispatched a destroyer to look for it. Costing a total of around 15,000 U.S. dollars on February in 1945 after the death of the President, Farah participated in the mortuary on the ceremony, after it death , it was buried near the host. President John F. Kennedy has a Space dog, which the Khrushchev present him to ease the Caribbean missile crisis. President Lyndon Johnson named his dog Johnson, in accordance with the habit of Americans, only his wife and children take the name. In addition, we can see from some of the common English idioms that the Western culture has the feeling of sympathy and love on the dog's, such as: "Love me, love my dog", "The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs"" Dog doesn't eat dog" "A livingdog is better than a dead lion." and so on. Of course, in English, there are also derogatory meaning in "the dog saying", but most are the people who pay sympathy and compassion to dog’s sad place, such as: "lead a dog's life" (living a miserable life), "die a dog's die "(die tragically), "go to the dog's"(destroyed).2.2 Horse-Favorited by both chinese and westernerIn ancient TV and movies of China, we can often see the scene of a hero riding a Horse. "Drive, drive," on the battlefield, in the vastness of the boundless sea, in the endless desert, the horse raised dust, spray splashing Pentium away. Horse loved by Chinese people because of its smart, elegant appearance and loyalty, dilligence. In Chinese language, including "horse" has a lot of the phrase is also a very good corroboration. “马到成功”.“马不停蹄”.“老马识途”.“厉兵秣马”.“一马当先”.“千军万马”.“车水马龙”.“汗马功劳”.“万马奔腾”.“快马加鞭”.“路遥知马力”which means good, but also have“人仰马翻”.“人困马乏”.“走马观花”.“心猿意马”.“牛头不对马嘴”.“指鹿为马”which means bad, it is too numerous to list. While in English, horse is a symbol of status and quality, like "be on the high horse", with the corresponding have "come off the high horse", “don’t swap horses whencrossing a stream”, “a good horse cannot be of a bad color”, “a good horse should be seldom spurred”, “dark horse”, But it is worth noting that the English idiom "horse" in Chinese in contrast is often not the “horse”, but the “cattle.”For example, in Chinese, we describe a person who has great strength as “力大如牛”,while in the eyes of the British, horse is the strongest, so they said “as strong as a horse”; in Chinese language, we would describe a person who work very hard as an old ox, but in English which is used “work like a horse” to describe the hard working person when China first introduced the tractor, people were pleased to call “iron cattle”, while in English Usage “iron horse” is to describe the engine or locomotive. “Salt horse”means salty or pickled beef, but not horse meat. In Chinese talk bigger called “吹牛” while in English is “talk horse”.2.3 Sheep, regarded as the weak and small animals in the eyes of both Chinese and western cultures.In the eyes of the Chinese people, the sheep is the symbolic meaning of "docile" and "weak", we often said, "She is lovely and tame like a sheep." Interestingly, in English "sheep" has a similar significance, the symbol of "timid, cowardly" and "stupid" and "easy to tame the people" but always withderogatory meaning, such as: “a black sheep”. According to ancient legend and superstition, the black sheep is in disguise of the devil. It is now commonly used “black sheep”referring to “the stubborn son, the villain”, and so on. Similar to the Chinese "black sheep", for example: they don't like talking about their brother Dick, as he is the black sheep of the family. He has been in prison twice. In addition, the sheep in English has good or bad points. "Sheep" is usually a symbol of tame, timid, shy and kind-hearted, while "goat" is dirty and evil in disguise. Please see the two comparison:(1) a sheep among wolves, liberal translated as “落入一群恶汉手中地善良人.”(2) a wolf in sheep's clothing, liberal translated as “貌善心毒,口蜜腹剑地人”(3) cast sheep's eyes (抛眉眼,递送秋波)(4) to get somebody's goat, liberal translated as “比喻像被激怒地山羊一样恼火.”(5) to separate the sheep from the goat (from the Bible) liberal translated to “区分好人和坏人；分辨善与恶”3. Translation skills of English and chinese animal idiomsAnimal idioms have vivid images. Through the image, the association of ideas to express significance of language canbring brilliance. But understanding the significance of animal idioms, it is necessary to consider not the significance of its own idiom, but also consider their cultural background differences. Therefore, translating the English and Chinese idioms became a problem. First of all, animal idiom translation should retain the original language as far as possible, and in accordance with target language culture and language habits of different idioms using different laws of translation. Generally speaking, there are several approaches as below.3.1 The literal Translation lawAs human beings think the same. Some do not matter what the animals have given the significance of the same association, to express the same thoughts and feelings. This is based on human attributes to animals and the natural role of understanding on the agreement, that is our image of animals in the translation on the “deep transformation”of a common basis. In the majority of the Chinese idioms animals can be found corresponding to the English expression (equivalent), so we can write according to the image of animals in English and Chinese on the same extended a literal meaning to the literal translation.Such as:(1) We have no use for a P.A.(=paper ass)like this.It can be translated into：像这样地蠢驴,对我们毫无用处.(2) a running dogIt can translated into：走狗.(3) There is a mixture of the tiger and the ape in his character.It can be translated into：他具有一种既残暴又狡诈地性格.(4) Why are you rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off?It can be translated into：你为什么像一只无头鸡东撞西碰?(5) to stir up a hornet's nestIt can be translated into：捅蚂蜂窝(6) eat like a wolfIt can be translated into：狼吞虎咽(7) fish in troubled waterIt can be translated into：浑水摸鱼(8) dark horseIt can be translated into：黑马（比喻知名度不高地候选人）(9) barking dogs don not biteIt can be translated into：会叫地狗不咬人Another example is on the following sentence that on the circumstances that having the same figure of some animal we can literally translate,:“骑虎难下”→“He who rides on a tiger can never discount”；“守株待兔”→“Waiting for suicidal hares”；“披着羊皮地狼”→“a wolf in sheep's clothing”；“树倒湖狮散”→“Tree down, monkeys away”；“鳄鱼地眼泪”→“crocodile tears”“狼来了”→“cry wolf”“笨鸟先飞”→“A slow sparrow should make an early fly.”In addition, some animal idioms have similar sentences as…as a… like… or form, most can be literal, that is, literally translated into “像…一样地…”,Of course, sometimes the word of analogy can be omitted, integration of the literal translation and liberal translation that the language become more mature and clearly.Such as:as busy as a bee 像蜜蜂般忙碌as sly as a fox 像狐狸般狡猾as foolish as an ass 像驴一般愚蠢as slow as a tortoise 像乌龟般迟缓as black as a crow 像乌鸦般黑as stubborn as a mule 像骡子般固执as quiet as a lamb 像羔羊般驯良as proud as a peacock 像孔雀一样骄傲as faithful as a dog 像狗一样忠实as gruff as a bear 像熊一样凶暴as fierce as a tiger 猛如虎as slippery as an eel 油滑,不可靠………Note that when expressed a strong emotional (such as如激愤,鄙夷或生气), the translation method of change: such as: as stupid as an owl. It should be translated into：笨透了.（而不是“像猫头鹰一样笨”） as deaf as an adder. It should be translated into：极聋地.（而不是“像蛇一样聋”）3.2 The Change of Image LawChinese and English are both rich in animal idioms. Illustrating some specific figure animals through the second part of the above article, analysis and comparison, it is not difficult to find understanding of the preferences and opinions to the animals because of the cultural and historical background. In a language use some animals express a particular animal's image, another language use a different image of the animal toexpress. Therefore, translating and understanding idioms brought difficulties and challenges to us. When we translate thus animal idioms, we should use the change of image law, that is, retaining the original meaning of communication, to find a Chinese thinking and which animal significance is similar to the corresponding idiom, replacing the original image with another animal figure which readers are familiar with the imagination, thus the readers will be more easily to understood. For example, cattle and fish have the features to drink lots of water. When we describe a person drinking a lot of water, most of us think of’“牛饮”. This is because in ancient times, cattle are closest to the ordinary people. Most of the livestock work is done by the "牛大哥", so we like to compare with a cattle; while Westerners choose fish to express, "drink like a fish". Another example is when a person talk bigger, we said he was "吹牛" and in English does not seem to "blow crow" this statement, they use "fish story". Image of these animals is complicated, deep-rooted relate with each history and culture, rather than a simple question of "牛" for "鱼". Therefore, in our actually translating, we must proceed culture very careful. Below citing some examples of transferring the animals image between Chinese and Western idioms:(1) as strong as a horse(马) 力大如牛(2) as Wet as .a drowned rat(鼠) 落汤鸡(3) chicken -hearted(鸡) 胆小如鼠(4) as timid as a hare(兔) 胆小如鼠(5) Lock the stable door after the horse is stolen(马) 亡羊补牢(6) a cat on hot bricks(猫) 热锅上地蚂蚁(7) as stubborn as a mule（骡）犟得像头牛(8) to kill two birds with one stone(鸟) 一箭双雕(9) to kill the goose that lays the golden egg(鹅) 杀鸡取卵(10) pit the cart before the horse（马）本末倒置(11) birds of feather(鸟) 一丘之貉(12) black sheep (羊) 害群之马(13) come in like a lion and go out like a lamb(狮和绵羊) 虎头蛇尾(14) a drawn rat(鼠) 落汤鸡(15) to set fox to keep your goose（狐狸）引狼入室(16) like a rat in a hole(耗子) 瓮中之鳖(17) be gooseflesh all over(鹅) 浑身起鸡皮疙瘩(18) asking a fox for its skin(狐狸) 与虎谋皮(19) as mute as a fish（鱼）噤若寒蝉(20) a lion in the way（狮子）拦路虎(21) break a butterfly on the wheel（蝴蝶）杀鸡焉用宰牛刀(22) to cast pearls before swine（猪）对牛弹琴(23) Don’t try to flog a dead horse（马）死猪不怕开水烫(24) a dying duck in the thunderstorm（鸭）惊弓之鸟(25) a fly in the ointment（苍蝇）一颗老鼠屎坏了一锅粥(26) Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.（狗,狮）宁为鸡口,不为牛后．(27) to act as a cat’s paw（猫）为虎作伥(28) Tread on the worm and it will turn.（蠕虫）狗急跳墙3.3.The Free Translation MethodWhen referring to the understanding and translation of English and Chinese idioms, we have to involve cultural knowledge. We said earlier that different animal has a different image of the extended meaning in the West. Among them, there are the same animal with the same sense of meaning (in literal translation); Different animals have the same significance ofmeaning (change of image). However in most of English and Chinese languages, animal vocabularies have more significance in imaging, such as in English chickens, goats, cows were "weak and timid" (as timid as a chicken), "lust immorality" (goatish). And “stout seedy” (You smell cow!) Meanings, while we cannot find a trace in Chinese culture. Also in Chinese, the "dragon" all things considered among the most noble and sacred is the symbol of strength, we are the descendant of the dragon. Therefore, in Chinese idioms, we can see the “龙雏凤种”“龙飞凤舞”“龙凤呈祥”“龙潭虎穴”“龙马精神”and“龙腾虎跃”“车水马龙” and so on. In Chinese thinking, "Dragon" is mighty, and the supreme good fortune, while the "dragon" in English is figure for devil and people cannot help thinking the really very sad thing related. Thus, in animal idioms Translating, when literal translation law and transfer translation law are not clearly explained, the free translation law should be used. In the correct understanding of the basis of the original language, we should translate according to the language meaning.For example,(1) The dog that will fetch a bone will carry a bone.It should be translated into：对你说别人坏话地人也会说你地坏话.(2) He is as poor as a church mouse.It should be translated into：他一贫如洗. not：他穷得像教堂里地耗子.(3) a big fish in a small pondIt should be translated into：山中无老虎,猴子称大王.(小地方地大人物)not：小塘容不下大鱼.(4) fine feathers make fine birdsIt should be translated into：华丽地外表并不能代表能力 not：佛要金装,人要衣装.(5) The man and his wife are now leading a cat-and-dog life. It should be translated into：他和妻子过着吵吵闹闹地生活. not：他和妻子过着猪狗不如地生活.(6) Last night I heard him driving his pigs to market.It should be translated into：昨天夜里我听到他鼾声如雷. Not：昨天夜里我听到他把猪赶到集市上去.(7) a big frog in a small pondIt should be translated into：小地方地重要人物not：小池塘里地大青蛙(8) They put off the game as it was raining cats and dogs. It should be translated into：因为狂风暴雨,他们推迟了比赛.not：因为天上掉猫狗,所以他们推迟了比赛.(9) let the cat out of the bagIt should be translated into：露出马脚 not：让猫从袋子里面出来(10) a white elephantIt should be translated into：庞大地废物 not：一头白大象 (11) a fly (butterfly) on the wheelIt should be translated into：自以为了不起地人；(12) She is a cat.It should be translated into：她是个包藏祸心地女人.not：她是一只猫.(13) a bird in the hand is worth two in the bushIt should be translated into：未到手地东西再好也不如已到手地东西.不过这句话由于是广为流传地谚语,且意思简单,因此直译“一鸟在手胜过二鸟在林”也被人们所接受.(14) dog eat dogIt should be translated into：人吃人地残酷竞争. not：狗吃狗(15) eat like a bird 食量很小eat like a horse 食量很大(16) Every dog has his dayIt should be translated into：人人皆有得意之日.(17) let sleeping dogs lieIt should be translated into：不要惹是生非,自找麻烦.not：让睡着地狗躺着.(18) Tom got the bird for being saucy to the manager.It should be translated into：汤姆由于对经理没有礼貌而被开除.(19) You have backed the wrong horse.It should be translated into：你做出了错误地判断.(20) show somebody the lionsIt should be translated into：带某人参观名胜古迹.而不是：带某人去看狮子.(21) It should be translated into：：Hold high hopes for one’s child. 望子成龙(22) It should be translated into：：Achieve immediate victory; win instant success：马到成功.(23) It should be translated into：：Misfortune may be an actual blessing：塞翁失马焉知非福.(24 ) It should be translated into：：A real man never goes back on his words：一言既出驷马难追(25) It should be translated into：：The sauce is better than the fish：喧宾夺主.4. ConclusionIn the long process of human history,animals as a partner and tools, they not only have made enormous contributions to human civilization, but also have helped to enrich the human language, the communication and even the culture. Seriously studying the language of animal-related expression, we will not feel difficult to find that human use the figure of the animal or use the living habits of animals to create such a rich language expression, giving the dull word a distinctive language and vivid Expression. Due to historical, geographical and cultural differences between east and west, they have their own views about animals. As an English learner, only starting from the cultural and linguistic habit, can we easily grasp and enjoy these interesting animals idioms. In the correct understanding of the basis of the original language, we can translate the Chinese-English well and correctly.AcknowledgementsI would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis. I gratefully acknowledge the help of my supervisor Wang Jinsheng, who has provided me with valuable instructions, comments and encouragements all through the course of my composing this thesis, and who hasdevoted his precious time to reading through each draft and making critical comment. He has walked me through all the stages of the writing of this thesis. Without his consistent and illuminating instruction, this thesis could not have reached its present form.Likewise, I wish to express my sincere thanks to all my teachers, whose lectures have given me considerable enlightenment and inspiration. Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Foreign Language School of Zhejiang University of Science and Technology as well as those whose encouragement and assistance gave me great momentum during my process of study.Last but not the least, my hearty thanks are due to my dear parents and friends for their endless love and support..Bibliography:[1] Nida, E. A. Language, Culture, and Translating[M]. ShanghaiForeign Language EducationPress. 1993.[2] Newmark P. 2001. A Textbook of Translation[M]. 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