Idiom Translation under the Chinese
and English Cultures
Class XXX Number XXX Name XXX
Abstract: Nida, a famous translator, says, "For truly successful translation, it is much more
important to familiarize two cultures than master two languages, because words are assigned
meanings in its particular cultures."(Background information) This is to say, translation is closely
related with not only languages but also cultures. Studies of the cultural distinction in idiom
translation are still relatively weak in the field of translation in China. Exclusive research on the
translation of Chinese and English idioms is still incomplete. In the last twenty years, idiom
translation has mostly emphasized the level of inter-lingual communication, but cultural
differences were rarely involved in it.(Identify problem) This thesis analyses the cultural
differences in Chinese and English idioms, then studies English-Chinese\Chinese-English idiom
translation methods(Research subject) from the angle of culture(Method) and points out some
warnings concerning idiom translation: pay attention to context and choose the right version in
line with the style and meaning of the original passage(Results); culture is a whole way of life,
when new culture emerges, new idioms also appear, therefore idiom translation should develop
with the time.(Conclusion)
Key Words: idioms; culture; translation
论英汉文化背景下的习语翻译
摘要:著名翻译学家奈达指出:“对于真正成功的翻译而言，熟悉两种文化甚至比掌握两种语言更为重要，因为词语只有在其作用的文化背景下才有意义。”也就是说，翻译不仅与语言有关也和文化有关。习语翻译中对文化差异的研究在中国的翻译领域中仍然较弱，专门对中英习语翻译的研究还不很完善。近20年来，习语翻译大多强调语际的交流，而很少涉及文化差异。本文通过分析中英习语的文化差异，进而从文化角度研究中英习语翻译方法，并指出中英习语翻译要注意的问题:联系上下文，选择与原文风格，意思相符的翻译；文化是一种生活方式，文化在变化，出现新的习语，习语翻译要与时俱进。
关键词：习语；文化；翻译
1. Introduction
Idioms universally exist in every language. An Idiom is a word or an expression
that cannot be literally translated from the source language into the target language
because its idiomatic meaning cannot be understood by literally defining its
component parts.(Background) In a broad sense, idioms contain set phrases, proverbs,
colloquialisms, slangs, maxims, allusions, etc. (YinLi, 2007:9) In Chinese, they also
include enigmatic folk similes. Newmark, a British translation theorist, in his work A
Textbook of Translation, said, "I define as culture the way of life and his manifestation
that are peculiar to a community that uses a peculiar language as its means of
expression. "(Previous research) English Idioms derives from English cultures and
daily life. In real context, idioms explain themselves: nine times out of ten they carry
their own explanations. If we are unaware of these, we will find ourselves in a state of
confusion since we will assign literal meaning to them. The Chinese Idioms,
especially the four-character idioms, have their own unique origins which are closely
correlative to the Chinese history and cultures. In view of the difficulties in
understanding idioms, we should pay due attention and efforts to understand their
cultures and customs. (necessity)This thesis is designed to dig into the cultural
differences between Chinese and English and then elaborates on the translation
theories applied to idioms. (Subject )
2. A Comparison Between English and Chinese Idioms
2.1 The Cultural Differences Between English and Chinese Idioms
2.1.1 Geographical Conditions
The formation of culture is closely related with natural geographical conditions. A
specific geographical environment produces a specific culture, which also leads to a
particular expression.
Great Britain covers islands including the Northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France. It
has a moist climate with much rainfall. Rivers and lakes are numerous. No wonder
that fishery is thriving and most important in Britain. Accordingly, idioms concerning
fish and navigation constitute a great part in English idioms. (LiYuping,
2008:20)(Theory/Results of previous research)
For example, "like a fish out of water". If you feel like fish out of water, you feel
awkward and uncomfortable because you are in an unusual and unfamiliar situation.
Fish in the air 缘木求鱼
An odd fish 怪人
Miss the boat 错过机会
Trim the sails to the wind 顺势前进
A small leak will sink a great ship 小洞不补要沉大船 (Examples)
On the other hand, China is located in the Asian Continent and reputed as an
agricultural country with a large population of peasants. It is not surprising to find
many idioms relevant to farming, such as "骨瘦如柴，对牛弹琴, 众人拾柴火焰高,竹篮打水一场空......". Chinese people also have a mysterious and awe feeling for sea,
so they have idioms like "海角天涯，海枯石烂，海阔天空，海底捞针，海市蜃楼......".
(Analysis)
2.1.2 History
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2.2 The Similarities Between English and Chinese Idioms
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2.2.1 Colours
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