(4) There is the rub: That is where doubt or difficulty enters难就难在这
Chinese ancient myths and fables are also generalized in the following idioms.
e.g. (1) 守株待兔: to stand by a stump hoping to catch a hare just because once a hare accidentally dies there, trust to chance and windfalls
(2) 井底之蛙: a frog in a well, a person with a very limited outlook
(3) 伯乐: an expert or a wise man
(4) 言必信,行必果: Promises must be kept and action must be resolute, always be true in word and resolute in deed
(5) 欲穷千里目,更上一层楼: You can enjoy a grander sight, by climbing to a greater height
To sum up, though there are some similar idioms expressing the same meaning or arising from the same aspect of culture, much more differences are obviously to appear in English and Chinese idioms because of their distinctive cultural backgrounds. The cultural difference has posed a challenge for intercultural communicators.
VI. Methods to Deal with Cultural Differences in Idioms Translation
In the above, we have discussed the cultural differences reflected in English and Chinese idioms. Due to the cultural diversities, it is impossible to achieve absolute equivalency in translation. And translators should try their best to make the translation as close to the original possible in all aspects. A translation should give faithful and exact expression to the literal meaning of the original, while maintaining its writing style. In order to achieve this goal, a translator should master a series of helpful translating skills. In the following part, I will focus on the methods of translating.
4.1 Literal Translation
The features of English idioms，such as metaphor，vividness，national co1or，local color and so on，are retained in the version without disobeying the norms of Chinese．The translation of English idioms cannot be easily understood by Chinese readers．But these idioms have political significance in a certain context，or obvious western national color，local color and historical color，therefore，it is necessary to adopt the literal translation methods in the translation of Eng1ish idioms．By this way，we can enrich the Chinese language to some extent． There are some examples:
(1) time flies like an arrow: 光阴似箭
(2) spend money like water: 花钱如流水
(3) as a man sows, so he shall reap: 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆
(4) kill two birds with one stone: 一石二鸟
(5) a gentleman's agreement: 君子协定
(6) the open-door policy: 门户开放政策
(7) 替罪羊: scapegoat
(8) 血浓于水: blood is thicker than water
(9) 吠犬不咬人: barking dogs do not bite
(10) 外强中干: outwardly strong but inwardly weak
(11) 前怕狼后怕虎: fear of the wolf in front and the tiger behind
4.2 Free Translation
As we have mentioned above, there are some kinds of idioms which are hardly found in English because of the different cultures．They are two-part allegorical sayings．In these expressions, the former part contains a vivid and specific image which usually leads to an abstract but natural conclusion．Simultaneously not all English idioms have their equivalent Chinese ones, because these English idioms are specific to English-speaking countries. For those idioms, literal translation will cause misunderstanding among English and Chinese readers. So, free translation is used on the basis of faithfulness to the original. There are some examples:
(1)罄竹难书: to numerous to mention
(2)悬粱剌股: to be extremely hard-working in one’s study
(3)初出茅庐: at the beginning of one’s career
(4)塞翁失马，焉知非福: A loss may turn out to be a gain
(5) break the ice: 打破僵局
(6) make two ends meet: 量入为出
(7) keep the pot boiling: 谋生
(8) have all one's eggs in one basket: 孤注一掷
(9) jump at the bait: 轻易上当
(10) It rains cats and dogs: 大雨滂沱
(11) Where there is smoke, there is fire: 无风不起浪
4.3 Equivalent Translation
Some English idioms correspond to some Chinese idioms in both content and structure．And not only have they the similar meaning and modification，but also they have some or similar vivid metaphor．In that case，they can be translated equivalently．Let’s see some examples:
(1) fish in troubled waters: 混水摸鱼
(2) Walls have ears: 隔墙有耳
(3) a nodding acquaintance: 点头之交
(4) a drop in the ocean: 沧海一粟
(5) Man proposes, God disposes: 谋事在人，成事在天
(6) to be on thin ice: 如履薄冰
(7) add fuel to the fire: 火上浇油
(8)Burn the boat: 破釜沉舟
(9)Goose flesh: 鸡皮疙瘩
4.4 Combination of Literal Translation and Free Translation
In some cases, it is not appropriate for us to just employ literal translation or free translation. As a result, we can flexibly combine the two methods of translation to achieve the appropriateness. On one hand, the combination supplements the message that cannot be conveyed by using literal translation. On the other hand, it adds national characteristics that cannot be maintained by employing free translation. By mixing literal translation and free translation, we can introduce cultural backgrounds of the source language idioms to users of receptor culture and enrich the target language idioms.
4.4.1 Literal Translation plus Annotation
Annotation is the way to add notes to give further explanation. The combined way of literal translation and annotation may keep the original images as well as transfer the source language culture.
e.g. (1) 司马昭之心, 路人皆知: This SimaZhao trick is obvious to every man in the street. (Note: SimaZhao was a prime minister of Wei who nursed a secret ambition to usurp the throne.)
(2)To offer him is to carry coals to Newcastle; he is very wealthy. 给他钱就像是运煤到纽卡索,因为他已经很富有了. (Note: Newcastle is a coal city in northeast England.)
(3)It is an ill wind that blows nobody good．
不给任何人带来好处的风是恶风。(对人人有害的事，天下少有。)
(4)Every man has a fool in his sleeves．
人人袖里都有傻瓜。(人人都有糊涂的时候。)
4.4.2 Free Translation plus Literal Translation
As we know，literal translation is the best way of sticking to the principle of “be faithful to the source”, and free translation is another good way of translating the source language into the target language. By mixing free translation and literal translation, we can introduce cultural backgrounds of the source language idioms to users of receptor culture and enrich the target language idioms. Some examples of this kind are provided below：
瞎子点灯白费蜡: As useless as a blind man lighting a candle
事后诸葛亮: to be wise after the event
视死如归: to look on death without flinching
One thing noteworthy is that there may be several translations for one idiom and the translation methods to English idioms can be overlapping sometimes. The translation of an idiom may be different from that of the same idiom according to different translation approaches. And the method and technique to be used depends on the content and context．In addition，it is necessary for the translators to get some knowledge about Eng1ish idioms，including the background，color，style and culture of English．
V. Conclusion
Chinese and English are quite different from each other. And these differences were caused by national history, social system, religious belief, arts and literature, customs, sense of value, the way of living and thinking and geographical differences. The Chinese and English idioms bear different cultural characteristics and information. As a result, we have to enhance our cultural awareness. Only when we are aware of the cultural characteristics of idioms, and gather more cultural backgrounds, can we understand English and Chinese idioms better. Only when we realize the cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms, are we able to avoid causing mistakes due to lack of cultural awareness in translating and using them.
Nevertheless, it is not enough for us to just bear “culture” in mind because we have to put idioms into communication and use them appropriately to help bridge the intercultural gap. We must first improve our English level to comprehend more English idioms. Then, we need to make a comparative study of English and Chinese idioms to find their similarities and dissimilarities, for both can help us to master the idioms. Besides, we should accumulate as many cultural backgrounds as possible to raise our cultural competence. Finally, it is also very important for us to learn some translating techniques. All in all, with awareness of culture, we can acquire idioms and improve our linguistic competence and cultural competence. With the combination of linguistic competence and cultural competence, we will use idioms appropriately in intercultural communication.
References
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