1、英汉文化差异河南牧业经济学院(英才校区) 毕 业 论 文 题目 英汉成语的文化差异和翻译 学号 11370101059 班级 11商英01 专业商务英语 系别 外语系 作者姓名 刘宏伟 完成时间 20140420 指导教师韩淑俊 职称 讲师 Cultural Differences between English and Chinese Set phrase and TranslationLiu HongweiUnder the Supervision of Han ShujunForeign Languages DepartmentHenan University of Animal Hus
2、bandry and EconomyApril 20, 2014英汉成语的文化差异与翻译摘 要英国哲学家弗朗西斯培根说：“Genius wit and spirit of a nation are discovered by their idioms”（一个民族的天赋、智慧和精神都从他们的习语中表现出来）。成语是习语的一种，它来源于生活，是人们在长期使用语言的过程中形成的固定的词组或短语,是劳动人民智慧的结晶,具有浓厚的民族色彩。由于地理、历史、宗教信仰、生活习俗等方面的差异，英汉成语承载着不同的民族文化特色和文化信息，它们与文化传统紧密相连，不可分割。然而对英汉成语的互译一直是翻译工作中的难
3、点与重点。本文通过对英汉成语在文化中体现出的几方面差异的叙述，介绍在翻译过程中可以运用的原则，这其中包括直译法，意译法，借用法，注释法等，并且提醒译者在翻译成语中应注意的几个问题，帮助译者解决因文化差异给英汉成语互译过程中带来的困难，从而发掘其中的真正含义，起到文化传真的作用。关键字：文化差异， 成语， 翻译原则Cultural Differences between English and Chinese Set phrase and TranslationAuthor: Liu HongweiTutor: Han ShujunAbstractThe British philosopher
4、Francis Bacon said: “Genius wit and spirit of a nation are discovered by their idioms. Set phrase is the essence of language, originates from life， with its rich colors and distinct ethnic and cultural connotation. It is fixed phrase set or short language formed in the language use process by human
5、beings. Because of the differences in geography, history, religion and life custom, idioms carry national cultural characteristics and cultural information. And it is inseparable with culture. The translation of English-Chinese phrases is the key point and the difficult point in translation. This th
6、esis shows the culture differences reflected in the phrases, the principles available, such as literal-translating method, meaning-translation method, borrowing method，both literal and meaning and noting. What is more, it alerts the reader to potential problems and helps avoid them, solve translatio
7、n difficulties caused by the culture difference, find the true meaning, play the role of cultural transmission.Key words: Cultural difference， Set phrase, Translation principle ContentsAbstract in ChineseIAbstract in EnglishII1 Introduction12. English and Chinese Set Phrase Reflect Culture Differenc
8、e 42.1 Figure Difference42.2 Custom Difference 52.3 Historical Background Difference 72.4 Historical References Difference82.5 Religion Difference93. Translation Principle73.1 literal-translating73.2 Meaning-translation83.3 Borrowing 123.4 Both literal and meaning143.5 Noting144. Potential Problems.
9、154.1 Difference Context Different Method164.2 Maintain the Features of Original Text 164.3 Special Nouns Need Not to Translate174.4Do not translate without real understanding 174.5 Commendatory and Derogatory184.6 Simple and Smooth184.7 Add and Cut194.8 Faithful to the Original Version205. Conclusi
10、on21Bibliography23Cultural Differences between English and Chinese Set phrase and Translation1 IntroductionCultures are created by man，but human survival and development differ from different geographical and ethnic. Every culture shows its own forms; include its own culture character. Both English
11、and Chinese set phrases embody rich and deep ideological meanings and strong cultural character. That is why set phrase is one of the most essential parts of language. The differences between Chinese and western cultures often influence Chinese-English set phrase translation, and bring difficulties
12、in the comprehension and expression. To solve the translation difficulties will promote the exchanges of east and west cultures. Set phrase is one kind of idiomatic phrases, is crystallization of a nations wisdom which is distilled in the long-term using language and practice. It also mainly reflect
13、s the rhetorical device most of the set phrases are short, simple, vivid and accessible that all people like to use. Both English and Chinese languages have long histories during the time of language evolution; set phrase has increased in number, promoted in quality. Normally, set phrase comes from
14、classics of ancient, famous publication, history stories and folk legends. Usually, set phrases have distinctive image, rich ethical color and area characteristic. However, there are something in common in world of life, way of thinking and emotion. Therefore, all kinds culture and language have com
15、mon ground and comparability. In English, the area of idiom could either be big or small, in todays various dictionaries, they called idiom both idiom and set phrase. Idioms including a broad phrase, saying, Xie Houyu, allusions, it came from the public, can reflect a nations cultural identity. Set
16、phrase is the second paraphrase of idiom. Set phrase has been used for a long time with whole meanings and well-structured. The extent and meaning of Chinese and English set phrase are same. They are all fixed combination that expresses the same concept. Set phrase has two important characteristic:
17、one is semantic unity, another one is structural fixedness. In semantics, set phrase cannot be divided. The whole meaning cannot be inferred with some parts. In structure, set phrase has survived the passage of time. Any part of set phrase cannot be changed or move. For example: a blessing in disgui
18、se (因祸得福), at sixes and sevens (乱七八糟)，by and large（一般来说，整体而言）, fan the flames（火上浇油）, go Dutch (各付各的钱), odds and ends (七零八碎). In Chinese, 出尔反尔（back and fill）,麻木不仁 (insensitive), 差强人意 (Barely satisfactory), 黯然失色 (Suffer an eclipse), 鹤立鸡群,(A Triton of the minnows),粉墨登场 (Embark upon a political venture)
19、, 一鼓作气 (Press on to the finish without letup), 韦编三绝 (Study diligently), 暗度陈仓 (Do one thing under cover of another), 诲人不倦 (Be tireless in teaching),循循善诱 (Be good at teaching)and so on, we cannot find the true meaning from each single word.English set phrase based on a wide range of content. (1)Many o
20、f them come from the bible. For example: to fall from grace (堕落犯罪), at the last gasp (奄奄一息), handwriting on the wall (不祥之兆), man proposes, god disposes (谋事在人，成事在天), god help those who help themselves .(天助自助者). (2)Britain is an island, fishery and navigation in the economy of a large proportion, many
21、 English set phrases come from nautical term. For example: to sail before the wind (获得成功), to trim the sail to the wind (见风使舵). (3)British like sport show so that bring a large number set phrases. Such as to come out the top (占优势)，to show ones card (摊牌), to play ones trump card (打出王牌). (4)Some Engli
22、sh set phrase have relationship with animal: love me, love my dog (爱屋及乌), to be top dog (居于高位), Birds of a feather flock together (物以类聚，人以群分). (5)there also some phrases come from mythology, Homers epic and Aesop: Blow hot and cold (反复无常). There is a big different between the eastern and western cul
23、ture, how can the set phrases in the language be same. It is easy to make comprehensive confusion or improper using, even failure to communicate. Both Chinese idioms and English idioms are ideological crystallization that extracted by working people in the process of cognitive the world. However，the
24、y have something in common also: time is money (一寸光阴一寸金), practice make perfect（熟能生巧）, fish in trouble waters (浑水摸鱼). Language and cultural are closely connected. Different nationalities have differences in cultural backgrounds, geographic, custom and religion. Discrepancies exist between their lang
25、uages, some discrepancies reflect in set phrases. 2. English and Chinese Set Phrase Reflect Culture DifferenceThe definition of culture was made by Edward Tylor, British anthropologist, for the first time, in his book called “primitive cultures”. It said: a completed system including knowledge, fait
26、h, art, law, morality, custom, and all the abilities and habitats from which a social member would acquire. The Cultural Differences of English and Chinese Set Phrase reflect on the following areas.2.1 Figure DifferenceSome set phrases are similar to the images, but their metaphors are different. Th
27、at is because of the culture difference. Chinese people usually use “雨后春笋”to describe things that spring up or large number. British would like use “just like mushrooms”. Bamboos are not indigenous plant of England, even the word “bamboo” is a borrowing one. Therefore, they cannot possibly use bambo
28、o to describe. Let us do some comparisons below:Kill the goose that lays golden eggs杀鸡取蛋。Look for a needle in a haystack.大海捞针Like a rat in a hole瓮中之鳖No smoke without fire无风不起浪。A good conscience is a soft pillow日间不做亏心事，夜半敲门心不惊。As dumb as oyster；as silent as the graves；as close as wax守口如瓶As poor as a
29、church mouse 一贫如洗As timid as a rabbit 胆小如鼠Like a duck to water 如鱼得水Birds of a feather 一丘之貉No smoke without fire无风不起浪Love me love my dog 爱屋及乌To cast pearls before swine 打草惊蛇To help a lame dog over a site 画蛇添足2.2 Custom Difference Custom difference is one important aspect of culture difference. Many c
30、ustom differences reflect in set phrase, especially on zoomorphism. In English, dogs are peoples pets. British people love the dog. Many families have dogs, there are lots of set phrases about dogs: love me, love my dog, top dog, every dog has its day and so on. However, most Chinese set phrases tha
31、t about dog are have a sense of derogatory. Most of them describe doing evil things. For example: “be a bully under the protection of a powerful person (狗仗人势)”, “be as cruel as a wolf (狼心狗肺)”, monstrous audacity (狗胆包天). In traditional Chinese culture red In feudal times, dragon symbolizes the emperor and power; there are many set phrases about dragon that show commendatory. For instance: “hoping children succeed (望子成龙)”, “pros
