Interpreting Idioms
Both English and Chinese are particularly rich in idioms. Idioms are so vivid, terse, colloquial, and forcible in conveying a particular meaning that they are frequently used by speakers of both languages. Chinese and English idioms came into being under different historical, geographical, cultural and social backgrounds, so they contain different stories reflecting different environment, life, history, culture and values of the native speakers. It is surely no easy thing to understand idioms, let alone interpret them off-handed. One can hardly expect to provide a satisfactory rendition of an idiom unless he is guided by the correct method and, at the same time, manages to get an accurate understanding of its implied meaning through its surface structure according to the context.
1. Definition of Idioms
Idioms can be understood both in a broad sense an din a narrow one.
In the narrow sense, they simply refer to the set phrases or clauses used in a language. Broadly speaking, they comprise all the idiomatic and special expressions in that language, including, in this context, all the set phrases, colloquialisms, proverbs, slang and clichés in English, and all the four-character set phrases（成语）, common sayings（俗语）, proverbs and two-part allegorical sayings(歇后语) （of which the first part is descriptive and the second part carries the message）in Chinese. It is their broad sense that we are discussing in this unit. Hence, an idiom can be defined as a group of words with meaning different from the combined meanings of its component words. It is a combination of two or more words which are usually structurally fixed and semantically hard to understand, and function as a single unit of meaning. For example, “red tape” is an English idiom which mea ns “official rules and procedures that seem unnecessary and cause delay.” But one can hardly guess its meaning from the individual words that form it, for these words have already lost their original meaning.
An idiomatic expression is an established form that has been accepted by traditional usage. The words in it cannot, as a rule, be depleted or replaced by synonymous words, or put in a different order, without
affecting or destroying the meaning. Therefore, the component words, the word order and the meaning of each idiom must be remembered as a whole.
2. Methods of Interpreting Idioms
2.1. Borrowing (借用法) or Idiom for Idiom (以习语译习语)
As we mentioned previously, both Chinese and English abound in idioms. Some idioms in one language contain images, descriptions and meanings identical to idioms in the other language. This is because certain natural and human experiences are shared by the whole mankind wherever they live. There are also idioms that express the same meanings though they don’t have identical metaphors or images. In both cases, we might as well borrow them directly from the target language so as to retain their vividness and achieve equivalence in effect. For example:
一箭双雕（一举两得）
混水摸鱼fish in troubled water
三思而后行 Look before you leap.
有志者，事竟成。
无风不起浪。
There is no smoke without fire.
饥不择食 Hungry dogs will eat dirty puddings.
一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳。
A burnt child dreads fire. / Once bitten, twice shy.
滴水穿石Constant dripping wears the stone.
破釜沉舟to burn one’s boat
隔墙有耳 Walls have ears.
积少成多 Many a little makes a mickle.
一言既出，驷马难追 What is said cannot be unsaid.
谋事在人，成事在天。
Man proposes, god disposes.
既往不咎 Let bygones be bygones.
有钱能使鬼推磨。
Money makes mare go; money talks.
一寸光阴一寸金。
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Two heads are better than one.
Give him an inch and he will take an ell.
Justice has long arms.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
to kill the goose that lays golden eggs
Strike while the iron is hot.
to fish in the air
Don’t wash your dirty linen in public.
All good things must come to an end.
A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit.
2.2 直译(literal translation)。
Literal translation means word-for-word rendition, bringing the whole image into the target language. This approach is used when the image contained in an idiom can be easily understood by the speakers of the target language.(但是要特别注意译出来必须是不会产生歧义的，否则会适得其反，就不如意译了。
) For example：
良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行。
Good medicine is bitter in the mouth, but good for the disease; good-intended words offend the ear, but good for the conduct.
远水救不了近火。
Distant water cannot put out nearby fire.
易如反掌
鼠目寸光see no farther than one’s nose
君子动口不动手
武装到牙齿
引狼入室 head wolf to the house
以牙还牙
千里之行，始于足下 A thousand-li journey is started by taking the first step.
削足适履 to cut the feet to fit the shoes
血浓于水Blood is thicker than water.
玩火 play with fire
摊牌to show one’s cards
2.3 意译（释义）(Paraphrasing or free translation)
Some idioms which exhibit strong national or cultural characteristics can neither be handled by borrowing idioms from the target language nor translated literally because it would cause misunderstanding or could not be easily accepted by native speakers of the other language. In this case, it is necessary to resort to paraphrasing according to the context. For example:
鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利。
一不做，二不休
心里象有十五个吊桶，七上八下
王小二过年，一年不如一年 deteriorate
擀面杖吹火-----一窍不通
碰一鼻子灰
打开天窗说亮话
木已成舟，只好如此了。
不管三七二十一
小巫见大巫to be simply nothing compared to …
a fly on the wheel
a bull in a china shop
to paint the lily
(an area) flowing with milk and honey
2.4 Literal translation combined with paraphrasing (直译加注法)。
This approach is used when certain idioms, particularly those with historical stories or names involved, can hardly be understood and accepted by the listener, and the interpreter cannot find their proper equivalents in the target language. If literal translation were used, they would lose their original vividness.
灵活处理是指根据上下文的语境，参照套语已有的译法，加上自己的创造，灵活地译出原话的含义。
有几个方法可以研究：
（1）结合译法。
即将直译和意译结合起来，句子中的套语可直译的用直译，不能用直译的用意译。
如：
美国动不动就对人采取贸易制裁，其实是搬起石头砸自己的脚，到头来吃亏的还是他自己。
The US easily takes trade sanctions against other countries. In fact, like lifting a rock only to drop on its own toes, it is the US that suffers in the end.
他们决心摆脱贫困，再也不能倒回过那牛马不如的生活。
They are determined to get rid of poverty, for they would never return to the old days when they led a dog’s life.
(2) 近层译法。
即先直译，后面再根据上下文的需要加上套语的释意。
如：
科学的事不能一步登天，需要艰苦的努力。
Science calls for painstaking/unremitting efforts, one cannot reach the sky in a single bound------ attain the highest level in one step.
这事生米已煮成熟饭，不必后悔了。
Don’t be regretful, the rice is already cooked------ what is done cannot be undone.
展览是综合性的，由于参观时间短，我们只能走马观花。
As the visit is short for such a comprehensive exhibition, we could, like a Chinese saying goes, only look at the flowers while passing them on horseback------ glance over things hurriedly.
杀鸡给猴看 to kill the chicken to frighten the monkey---- to punish somebody as a warning to others
班门弄斧to show off one’s skill with the axe before Lu Ban the master carpenter-----to display one’s slight skill before an expert/ to teach your grandma to suck eggs/ to teach fish to swim
三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮。
Three cobblers with their wits combined surpass Zhu Geliang the mastermind -----Two heads are better than one.
(3) 共同译法。
即原语中共同的（重复的）部分可以合并的即合并在一起翻译出来。
汉语为了加强语气，常常用同一句型，排比的结构来阐述道理，描绘事物。
口译时，可根据情况，有的可以把共同的部分合起来翻译，有的用对应方式照译。
如：
要加强对党员干部特别时领导干部的严格要求、严格管理、严格监督。
Party members, especially leading officials, should be subject to strict requirements, management and supervision. (也可译为：be subject to high standards, rigorous management and close supervision.)（这句汉语的“严格”，英译时只用了一个“stricter”作为后面三个词requirements, management and supervision的共同的修饰语）
各级政府要把两个文明作为统一的奋斗目标，一起部署，一起落实，一起检查。
Governments at all levels should take the two aspects of material development and ethical and cultural progress as a unified objective in our endeavour, to be planned, implemented and examined together.
增强人们的自立意识、竞争意识、效率意识和民主法制意识
enhance the people’s awareness of self-reliance, competition, efficiency, and the rule by law (三个“意识”，英语一个awareness) 领导干部要自重、自省、自警、自励，以身作则，言行一致。
Leading officials should exercise self-respect, self-reflection, self-caution and self-encouragement, set an example for others, and match their words with deeds. (用对应方式照译)
（4）剖析译法。
即将该套语的语言形式剖开，将它的内在含义翻译出来。
这种方法主要用于带有数字的汉语套语。
比如“三下乡”，原指“文化、科技和医疗”。
遇到这种情况，口译时要去掉它的外壳，不用去管那个数字而把它的内容译出来，否则听者根本无法听懂。
在同一场口译中，其后遇到同一个套语，可以借用汉语数字型的套语形式进行翻译，这时听者已经知道它的内涵，能够理解和接受了。
如：
繁荣文学艺术，要坚持“二为”方向。
（为人民服务，为社会主义服务）
In flouring literature and art, efforts should be made to adhere to the orientation of serving people and the cause of socialism.
要教育人民成为“四有”人民，教育干部成为“四有”干部。
（有理想、有道德、有文化、有纪律）
The masses of people and officials should be taught to have ideals and moral integrity, and to be well-educated and self-disciplined.
社会主义道德建设要以“五爱”为基本要求。
（爱祖国、爱人民、爱劳动、爱科学、爱社会主义）
The building of socialist ethics should take cherishing a deep love for the motherland, the people, work, science and socialism as the basic requirements.
有的缩略词虽不带有数字，但是从字面意思上理解不到它的具体内容，也需要用剖析翻译的办法恢复它实际的内容，才能让听者明白。
如：
“扫黄打非”，其具体意思是：清除黄色书刊的销售和非法出版
“eliminate the sale and production of pornographic and illegal publications”
“打假”（打击生产冒牌（假）货的人）“mount an attack on producers of counterfeit products”
“严打”(“严厉打击经济犯罪活动”，也指“严厉打击走私活动”“严厉打击各种犯罪活动”，应根据实际内容具体翻译出来) “be relentless in fighting ec onomic crimes”, “relentlessly crack down on smuggling”
3. Practical advice for handling idioms
1) When interpreting idioms, we must take into full consideration the differences between the Chinese and English cultures and languages. We should avoid using seemingly identical but actually erroneous idioms in interpreting. If we can find an idiom in the target language that corresponds exactly to that in the source language, so much the better, because expressions familiar to the listeners make our translation more easily accepted. However, more often than not, we cannot find an idiom equivalent in meaning. In that case, we should not misuse any idioms in the target language, not unless we are sure of them. As a matter of principle, we would rather sound flat than elegant but erroneous. For example:
有眼不识泰山。
To entertain an angel unawares (≠ to have eyes but fail to see Taishan Mountain)
你可不能食言呀！You cannot break your promise. （≠ You cannot eat your words.）
You are pulling my leg. 你在开玩笑。
A horse stumbles that has four legs. 人非圣贤，熟能无过。
I’m dead-beat today. 今天我筋疲力尽。
He’s leading a dog’s life. 他过着非人的生活。
2) Try to memorize as many idioms as possible along with their established versions of translation in the process of training. Many idioms have more than one version of translation. It would be very convenient and helpful if an interpreter trainee could remember these generally accepted versions of idioms. For example:
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Do as you would be done by.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
Do not do to others what you do not wish to be done to yourself.
说曹操，曹操到。
Talk/Speak of an angel, and you will hear her wings.
Speak of the wolf, and you will see his tail.
Talk/Speak of the devil and he will appear.
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。
If one does not work hard in youth, one will regret it in old age.
A young idler, an old beggar.
They must hunger in frost that will not work in heat.
3) If we hear an idiom or a string of idioms that we find hard to translate, we must, first of all, try our best to comprehend the meaning of the idiom or idioms in the light of the contest and renders the meaning rather than the individual words. Whichever method is used we must try to convey original message. For example:
我们必须独立自主、自力更生地发展国防。
We must develop our defense independently and self-reliantly.
中国人民解放军70多年的历史，是从小到大、从弱到强的发展史。
The seventy-odd years’ history of the PLA is a history of its growth in size and strength.
Don’t argue with him. He has already got one foot in the grave.
别和他争了，他已经是风烛残年的人了。
It was a long time before someone broke the ice at the meeting.
会上出现了很长时间的僵局。
4）In case we fail to find an equivalent for an idiom in the target language, we must at least try to distinguish commendatory terms from derogatory terms.Then we can interpret the idioms creatively and flexibly. In so doing, we won’t go too far from the real meaning of an idiom, nor would we commit the mistake f “reversal of sense”.
A commendatory term is one that essentially carries the quality of being good and commendable and expresses praise and approval.
For example:
坚韧不拔 to persevere in tenacious efforts; staunch and unyielding 呕心历血to work one’s heart out; to shed one’s heart’s blood
绚丽多彩 bright and colorful; gorgeous
A derogatory term is one that tends to take away the good and commendable qualities and serves to belittle someone or something that the term is applied. For example:
弄巧成拙 to try to be clever only to end up with a blunder; to outsmart oneself
忘乎所以 to forget oneself; to get swollen-headed
胆小如鼠as cowardly as a mouse; as timid as a hare; chicken-hearted
丧心病狂 as mad as a March hare
4. 练习
时事类：
改革开放政策Reform and opening up policy
经济指标economic indicator
人均国民生产总值per capita gross national product
国民收入 national income
财政收入fiscal revenue
社会商品零售总额total volume of retail sales
社会主义市场经济socialist market economy
外向型经济export-oriented economy
劳动密集型企业 Labor-intensive enterprises
高新技术产业new high-tech industry
可行性研究feasibility study
经济过热overheated economy
宏观调控 macro-control
知识产权intellectual property
成语类：
捷足先登. the swift-footed arrive first
鞭长莫及beyond one's ability to help
不卑不亢 Neither overbearing nor servile
吹毛求疵be neither overbearing nor servile
打草惊蛇 wake a sleeping dog
大刀阔斧deal with a matter summarily without regard to details
得天独厚 to be exceptionally gifted
德才兼备combine ability with political integrity
等闲视之treat lightly or casually
二一添作五go halves/go fiity-fifty
飞黄腾达 rise in the world
得寸进尺Give him an inch and he will take a yard.
光明磊落open and above board/ frank
好高骛远 crave something high and out of reach
哗众取宠please the public with claptrap
居心叵测 with hidden intent
一粒老鼠屎搞坏一锅汤 A mouse droppings ruin a pot of soup
落花有意，流水无情Only one party willing
别有用心have ulterior motives
出尔反尔 break a promise
称王称霸 call the king and the tyrant
背信弃义break faith with somebody
妄自尊大be self important
自食其果suffer the consequence of one's own doing
忠言逆耳 Good advice jars on the ear.
自取灭亡 dig one's own grave
狼狈为奸work in collusion with each other
倒行逆施go against the tide of history
变本加厉go from bad to worse
有目共睹be obvious to all
一如既往 just as before
危言耸听 an alarmist talk/ an alarming story
说三道四 dish the dirt
丧权辱国humiliate the nation and forfeit its sovereignty 引狼入室 set a fox to keep one's geese
后患无穷with no end of troubles in sight
义愤填膺feel indignant at the injustice
大势所趋the trend of the times
背道而驰 run counter
一意孤行 go one's own way
坐收渔人之利
换汤不换药。
a change in form but not in content or essence
冒天下之大不韪 against the world
情人眼里出西施。
Beauty is the eyes of the beholder
醉翁之意不在酒。
have ulterior motives
又要马儿跑，又要马儿不吃草。
You can't eat your cake and have it
天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福。
Fortune is fickle
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量。
Don't judge a book by its cover
人无千日好，花无白日红。
No morning sun lasts a whole day
满招损，谦受益。
Humility often gain more than pride.
刚者至柔，柔者至刚。
酒逢知己千杯少。
One can drink far more than usual with a bosom friend. 近朱者赤，近墨者黑。
He who lies down with dogs will rise with fleas
有缘千里来相会，无缘对面不想逢。
凡事预则立，不预则废。
Preparedness ensures success, unpreparedness spells failure
饱汉不知饿汉饥。
the well-fed don't know how the starving suffer
伴君如伴虎。
being close to the emperor is like being close to a tiger
冰冻三尺，非一日之寒。
Rome is not built in a day
宝剑锋从磨砺出，梅花香自苦寒来。
As blind as a bat
As cool as a cucumber
As easy as rolling off a log
A bed or roses
Between the devil and the blue sea
To call a spade a spade
Now or never
To pull one’s leg
With tongue in cheek
Much cry and little wool
To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
The leopard cannot change its spots.
A small leak will sink a great ship.
He that sups with devil must have a long spoon.
As the touchstone tries gold, so gold tries men. Behind the mountains there are people to be found. The proof of pudding is in the eating.
One cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Nothing succeeds like success.
Enough is as good as a feast.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched. Many hands make light work.
The mills of God grind slowly.
He laughs best who laughs last.
Marry in haste and repent at leisure.
Courtesy on one side lasts not long.
Little thieves are hanged, but great ones escaped. Like attracts like.
Everyone for himself, the devil take the hindmost. It’s no use crying over split milk.
Time and tide wait for on man.
Nothing venture, nothing gain/have.
The life of the wolf is the death of the lamb. Speech is silver, silence is gold.
Short accounts make long friends.
There is no rose without a thorn.
Better late than never.
Many a good cow hath a bad calf.。
