从文化角度分析英语习语的不可译性

Abstract

English idioms are the essence of western language and the precious treasure of folk culture. As a special form of language, English idioms bear a great deal of cultural information. Due to different cultural backgrounds such as historical traditions, religious beliefs, folk customs, etc. between China and Britain, in translating English idioms into Chinese ones, untranslatability sometimes exists. The untranslatability caused by cultural differences is called related untranslatability. Starting with the definitions, features and origins of English idioms as well as the concept and classifications of untranslatability, the thesis intended to give a comprehensive analysis of untranslatability of English idiom from the cultural perspective through citing many examples, including five aspects, such as living environment and geographic positions, customs, religious beliefs, historical allusions and values. Lastly, the thesis proposed three compensation strategies like annotation, amplification and substitution to solve the untranslatability of English idioms. 

Keywords： English idioms  untranslatability  cultural differences  compensation strategies

Contents

Abstract I

Contents I

1 Introduction 2

2 English Idioms and Untranslatability. ..3

    2.1English Idioms..............................................................................3

         2.1.1Definition of English Idioms...........................................3

         2.1.2 The Origins of English Idioms 4

         2.1.3The Characteristics of English Idioms……......………...5 

    2.2 Untranslatability. 6

           2.2.1Definition of Untranslatability........................................6

         2.2.2 The Types of Untranslatability........................................6

3 Comprehensive Analysis of Untranslatability of English Idioms from Cultural Perspective. 7

    3.1 Living Environment and Geographic Positions 7

    3.2 Customs 8

    3.3 Religious Beliefs................... 9

    3.4Historical Allusions…………………………………….…........10

    3.5 Values………………………………….………………………11

4 Compensation Strategies of Untranslatability of English Idioms. 13

    4.1Annotation 13

    4.2Amplification. 14

    4.3Substitution 14

5 .Conclusion 15

References 16