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1、The Translation of English and Chinese idiomsAcknowledgements Id like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to many people who have helped me with the completion of this thesis.Firstly, Im extremely grateful to my supervisor, Zhihan Ran，who patiently read and drafted my thesis, witho
2、ut her careful guidance and suggestions, this thesis could not have been completed.Secondly, I thank Ms. Ling Tang, who has taught me research methodology. Without the scientific method, this empirical study couldnt have been done. My heartfelt thanks also go to all my teachers for their instruction
3、 during my study in Hefei University; and to my classmates for their help during my four college yearsFinally, my deep thanks are devoted to all my family for their love, persistent support and encouragement during my study, and to my friends who are always ready to help me when any reference materi
4、als are needed.AbstractEnglish and Chinese idioms are languages with picturesque images and cultural characteristics. Because of the differences in natural geography, religious beliefs, tradition and customs, fables, myths and arts, English and Chinese idioms reflect their distinctive culture. This
5、paper introduces the conception of idioms, explores the differences between English and Chinese idioms based on different cultures, and discusses the strategies of translating English and Chinese idioms.Key words: English and Chinese idioms; cultural differences; translation摘 要英汉习语均具有生动的形象和文化特性。由于中西
6、文化在自然地理，宗教信仰， 传统习俗，文学作品如神话和寓言等上的差异,英汉习语所反映的文化内涵也因此而不同.本文介绍习语概念，分析英汉习语所蕴涵的文化差异, 并就英汉习语翻译提出一系列的翻译原则和翻译方法。关键词：英汉习语；文化差异； 翻译策略ContentsAcknowledgements.Abstract (English) Abstract (Chinese) 1.Introduction12. Idioms12.1 The Definition of Idioms.22.2 Origins of Idioms.22.3 Features of Idioms. 43. Cultural
7、Differences between Chinese and English Idioms.43.1 Different Living Environments Embodied in Chinese and English Idioms.43.2 Different History and Literal Works Embodied in Chinese and English Idioms.53.3 Different Religious Belief Embodied in Chinese and English Idioms.53.4 Different Modes of Thin
8、king Embodied in Chinese and English Idioms.64. Principles of Idiom Translation.64.1 Literal Translation.74.1.1 The Definition of Literal Translation .74.1.2 The Application of Literal Translation .74.2 Free Translation.84.2.1 The Definition of Free Translation.84.2.2The Application of Free Translat
9、ion.94.3 The Combinations of Literal Translation and Free Translation. .105. Conclusion 11Bibliography.13IntroductionLanguage is the most important tool for the communication among human beings. It is the form and inheritance of culture. Language of any kind is the crystallization of the culture of
10、its own nation. As the cream of the culture, an idiom is a widespread set of phrase or sentence, with specific implications, abstracted from the spoken language, experience of peoples daily life, or the classical literary works. Due to its vivid image and profound connotation, the idiom is deeply lo
11、ved by the masses, as a member with high capacity of expression. Idioms frequently appear in the spoken language and literary works. 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 acquainti
12、ng themselves with Chinese culture. Since the English and Chinese idiom reflects Chinese and English culture and is the crystallization of the wisdom of the common people, the study of English and Chinese idioms is bound to become an important part of culture study. However, because of the differenc
13、es in natural geography, religious beliefs, tradition and customs, fables, myths, and arts of English and Chinese culture, its hard for people to understand idioms of other countries. Therefore it is important to study the Chinese and English idioms for better understanding and communication between
14、 Chinese and English speakers. At the same time, the exploration of strategies used to translate English and Chinese idioms will further promote the communication among Chinese and English speakers. To sum up, in order to make the western and Chinese people know each others culture thoroughly, the s
15、tudy of the translation of idioms is quite necessary and of far-reaching significance.2. IdiomsAn idioms 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 peoples exp
16、erience and the crystallization of peoples wisdom, which has vivid images, profound implications and exquisite rhythms. Idioms have a very strong color of its nation, which mirrors the local customs and practices of regions, the living style, and the natural environment and so on. Therefore, the stu
17、dy of the idiom is supposed to start from its definition, origin and features.2.1 Definition of IdiomsThere are various versions of definition of idioms according to different dictionaries and scholars. The definitions from authoritative dictionaries have been picked out as follows: (1) An idiom is
18、an expression which functions as a single unit and whose meaning cannot be worded out from its separate parts. (2) An idiom is a phrase, construction or expression that is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and either differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that
19、 differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together. Weinreich, Schweigert and Moates, who have been engaged in the study of idioms for many years, also have their opinions about the definition of idioms:(1) Weinreich holds the view that an idiom is a logical phrase involving at least two
20、polysemous constituents, and in which there is a reciprocal contextual selection of subsenses will be called an idiom.(2) Schweigert and Moates have the idea that idioms are common expressions used in colloquial speech with accepted, figurative meanings that differ from their present-day literal mea
21、nings. To sum up, idioms are concise and incisive set phrase or short sentences, which mean something different from the literal meaning of the individual words. Idioms are refined from peoples long-term employment, whose elements cannot be changed at random with simple words producing profound trut
22、h.2.2 Origins of IdiomsThe formation of idiom accords with the formation of culture. In a sense, it is the culture that gives birth to the idiom. For thousands of years, people draw lessons and experience from their daily life and then write them down to tell their offspring what they have gotten fr
23、om their experiences. As a result, most of the idioms invariably mirror almost everything related to the 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
24、from myths and fables and are employed to convey some special meanings. In addition, historical events, great or not, are also the resources of idioms. Most of the events left deep impression on peoples mind and taught people many lessons thus were often mentioned and fixed in the form of idioms. Li
25、terature 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.2.3 Features of IdiomsIdiom displays its differentiation from o
26、ther general expressions or structures in many ways.Firstly, idioms have fixed structures and cannot be divided and split into small parts. For example, make haste (hurry up) cannot be used as make him haste. Meanwhile, a complete idiom cannot be separated and used in two different sentences or subo
27、rdinate clauses. At the same time, the word in the idiom cannot be changed at random, for the replacement of the synonyms will make the idiom lose its original meaning. Secondly, idioms usually have figurative meanings. The words forming the idioms can only be understood on the whole or from their o
28、rigins. For example, rain cats and dogs means rain heavily. Thirdly, the idiom is the mirror reflecting the distinguishing culture. As a special language phenomenon, idiom has a strong color of its own nation. For example, to describe some newly emerging phenomenon which is growing fast, Chinese peo
29、ple use 雨后春笋 (it means that something springs up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain). However, in English, people will say something springs up like mushrooms after raining.Most idioms have symmetrical pattern, exquisite syllables and harmonious rhythm. Besides, penetrating implication, vivid im
30、ages and succinct wording characterize the idioms likewise. Those unique features of idioms should be retained as much as possible in translation.3. Cultural Differences between Chinese and English Idioms Idioms are heavily loaded with cultural information. Although they share some common grounds, C
31、hinese idioms and English idioms differ greatly due to their different social and cultural backgrounds. 3.1 Different Living Environments Embodied in Chinese and English IdiomsDifferent living environments in China and England can be found in the idioms of the two languages. Firstly, England is an i
32、sland, and fishery and navigation are of great importance for most English people. Therefore, a great number of English idioms relate to fish and sea. On the contrary, China has been an agricultural country with a very large agricultural population. As a result, there are a great many Chinese idioms
33、 that contain vivid descriptions of abundant farming experience. The crystallization of the rich experience in agriculture and in navigation has been accumulated in their productive labor and handed down from generation to generation. In addition, different climates between China and England have al
34、so resulted in different living environments in the two countries. China lies in the Eastern Hemisphere and England in the Western Hemisphere. East wind in China blows in spring and is regarded as a symbol of warmth, while in England east wind blows in winter and is thought of as a cold and unfortun
35、ate one, just the opposite of warm west wind which brings cold. In Britain the east wind is considered a symbol of evil.Besides, for Englishmen summer is a mild season and is usually related to beloved and pleasant weather, which is the same to spring in China. The following Chinese and English idio
36、ms are the case in point: “一日之计在于晨，一年之计在于春”Look at some English idioms: “A west wind and an honest man go to bed together”. In short, understanding the different living environments in the two countries is very useful to understand the meaning conveyed by the idioms. 3.2 Different Histories and Lite
37、ral Works Embodied in Chinese and English IdiomsChina and England have different histories and classic literary works, thus they surely have different historical and literary images. Some Chinese and English idioms contain allusions from the distinctive histories and classic literary works of the tw
38、o countries, which influence peoples understanding of idioms. A great many idioms are often simple in literal meaning but deep in historical and literary meaning. Shakespeare, who is known as the greatest playwright in the world, is also a poet during the Renaissance in Britain. From his time to the
39、 present, his works are greatly enjoyed by people all over the world. His works give birth to lots of idioms, such as ones pound of flesh coming from The Merchant of Venice, which is used to describe a legal but unreasonable requirement. Similarly the Chinese idiom “鸦雀无声” from the Chinese classical
40、novel The Dream of the Red Mansions is employed to express a perfect silence.English and Chinese idioms are rich in their reflection of historical events and literary allusions. For instance, “a Pandoras box(潘多拉之盒，灾难和祸害的根源);Judas kiss(犹大的吻，比喻叛徒口蜜腹剑的可耻伎俩); the last supper(最后的晚餐).” In China there are
41、a lot of idioms with their own historical and literary images, such as瓮中之鳖(a rat in a hole); 五十步笑一百步(The pot calls the kettle black).”In brief, idioms originate from historical events and classical literary works endow with unique national culture and present readers a vivid picture of their own soc
42、ieties. 3.3 Different Religious Beliefs Embodied in Chinese and English IdiomsReligion is the very important part of culture. Different religions are usually embodied in idioms of different languages. Religious images have caused much difficulty in understanding idioms. Accordingly, religion is also
43、 one of the barriers that cause difficulties in translating cultural connotation in Chinese and English idioms. Therefore, it is necessary for translators to study these religious images deeply in order to put forward proper translation.In China, Buddhism has been spread over one thousand years. Chi
44、nese people show great respect to the Buddha and they are sure that Buddha is the only governor of the world. The Buddhist culture has already taken roots in their lives for ages. As a result, it is very common that many Chinese idioms are related to Buddhism. Idioms in the following are just a few
45、examples: “做一天和尚撞一天钟(Go on tolling the bell as long as one is a monk); 跑了和尚跑不了庙(The monk may run away, but the temple cannot run with); 闲时不烧香,临时抱佛脚(Embrace Buddhas feet in one hour of need). However, England is a Christian country with a long history. The majority of Englishmen believes in Christian
46、ity and adores God. God is as powerful in Christianity as Buddha is mighty in China. Consequently, the English idioms reflect the influence of Christianity. The images of “God”, “devil”, “heaven” and “hell” are frequently found in some English idioms. For example, “God helps those who help themselves(自助者天助也); God is on the side of the big battalions. (天助强者); Man proposes, God disposes(谋事在人,成事在天).”3. 4 Differences in Modes of Thinking Reflected in Chinese and English Idioms Due to differences in living environments, histories and religions, Chinese and English speakers have di
