英汉习语的中的中西方文化差异及其翻译策略

一、文献综述

Chinese idioms generally refer to those phrases commonly used together and of special forms, and the meanings contained in the idioms cannot be predicted through a single word of the phrases. Most of Chinese idioms are four words idioms, and they often come from some allusions. In Chinese, there is still not a clear definition of idioms. In the definition of Cihai, it includes set phrases, proverbs, sayings as well as two-part allegorical sayings and so on. As for Ping Hong and Zhang Guoyang’s definition, figurative phrases, slang, idioms, proverbs and other kinds of language are important parts of English idioms, and it is the national form of language and the concentrated expression of various kinds of rhetorical devices. Chinese idioms refer to the fixed, concise, lively, metaphorical and profound phrases as well as short sentences formed naturally after the long-term repeated use of some parts of Chinese.

In English, the definition of the relevant idioms is also not fixed. In Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, idiom is defined as a special kind of phrase. It is a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one it would have if the meaning of each word were taken individually. In the book In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation, idioms are defined as frozen patterns of language which allow little or no variation in form and, in the case of idioms, often carry meanings which cannot be deduced from their individual components. 

There are also other definitions in other dictionaries. 

A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (New Oxford Dictionary or English,1998)

An idiom is an expression which functions as a single unit and whose meaning cannot be worked out from its separate parts (Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics, 1985)

Idiom is an expression established in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in grammatical construction or in having a meaning that cannot be derived as a whole from the conjoined meanings of its elements. (Webster’s Third New World International Dictionary, 1976)

Since the late 1970s, the comparative study of Chinese and English idioms has made great development. After 1980s, with the rapid development of foreign exchanges, the research of Chinese and English idioms has further developed. The research in this period not only has the comparative study of Chinese and English idiom as a whole, but also there are also comparisons in specific aspects. Cross-sectional study mainly focuses on the comparative study of phrase idioms and sentence idioms; longitudinal study focuses on the aspects of syntax, semantic and pragmatic features of English and Chinese idioms. Scholars also have interdisciplinary research of Chinese and English idioms from human cultural science, psychology, folklore, sociology, aesthetics, history, geography and so on. Scholars also made comparative study of Chinese and English idioms from cultural factors to make an analysis of differences between language and culture. Besides, researcher also widely study the relationship between idioms and national psychology, cultural tradition, social development, times change, as well as geographical environment, which promote the rapid development of comparative study of Chinese and English idioms. The thesis of Tang Yanfang investigated the sources of Chinese and English idioms in terms of religion and faith, books and literary works, myths, legends, and fables, historical events, mode of production and custom as well as loan words.

二、范文提纲

Abstract in English 

Abstract in Chinese

1. Introduction

2. Overview of Idioms

  2.1 Definition of Idioms

  2.2 Characteristics of Idioms

  2.3 Relationship between Idioms and Culture 

  2.4 Related Studies at Home and Abroad 

  2.5 Significance of the Comparative Study 

3.Differences between English and Chinese Idioms

  3.1 Differences in Geographic Environment

  3.2 Differences in Cultural Background

  3.3 Differences in Traditional Custom

  3.4 Differences in Religious Belief

  3.5 Differences in History

4. Application of Idiom Translation Strategies

  4.1 Literal Translation 

  4.2 Replacement 

  4.3 Free Translation 

  4.4 Combination of Literal Translation with Free Translation

  4.5 Literal Translation with a Note

5. Conclusion 

Bibliography 

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Idioms are fixed expressions of special meanings in the process of language in use for a long time, and they are also the quintessence of a nation's culture and wisdom. As the essence of Chinese language culture, Chinese idioms contain a lot of cultural characteristics and local characteristics. Translation is a kind of cross-cultural communication activity, but the translation of Chinese idioms is limited by some factors due to the differences between Chinese and English culture. Therefore, the translation of idioms is not only the transformation of two languages, but also it is the transformation of two kinds of cultures at the same time. Idioms are Chinese language units of most abundant cultural connotations, and Chinese culture of a long history is drawing more and more attention of the world. In this way, more and more foreign people are willing to know about Chinese culture and history, thus the culture plays a significant role in the translation of idioms. Correct and proper translation of idioms can greatly promote the smooth communication of cultures. As a result, this paper mainly makes an analysis of Sino-western cultural differences from idioms. The first part is a general introduction of the whole paper. The second part discusses the definition and characteristics of idioms. The third part makes an analysis of cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms. The fourth part of this paper discusses the influence of idioms on China and western countries. The last part of this paper proposes some translation strategies of idioms and gives a brief conclusion of the whole paper. 

Key words: Chinese idioms; English idioms; cultural differences; translation strategies 

Contents

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………. I

1. Introduction…………………………………………………….………………… 1

2. Overview of Idioms………………………………..……………………………... 2

  2.1 Definition of Idioms…………………………………………………………. 2

  2.2 Characteristics of Idioms……………………………………………………. 3

  2.3 Relationship between Idioms and Culture………………………………… 4 

  2.4 Related Studies at Home and Abroad…………………………….…………… 4 

  2.5 Significance of the Comparative Study…………………….………………… 5 

3. Cultural Differences Between English and Chinese Idioms………………… 6

3.1 Historical Backgrounds………….……………..……………………………. 6

3.2 Geographical Conditions……………….…………………………………….. 6 

3.3 Social Customs………………….……………………………………………. 7 

3.4 Religious Beliefs………………………………..…………………………….. 8

3.5 Cultural Heritages……………………………………..……………………… 9 

3.6 Economic and Political Affairs…………………………………………………9 

4. Application of Idiom Translation Strategies……………………………………. 10

  4.1 Literal Translation………………………………………………………….. 10 

  4.2 Replacement……………………………………………………………….. 12 

  4.3 Free Translation……………………………………………………………… 12 

  4.4 Combination of Literal Translation with Free Translation…………….…… 13

  4.5 Literal Translation with a Note………………………………………………. 13

5. Conclusion…………………………………………………..…………………. 14 

References…………………………………………………………………….. 16