英汉文化差异对翻译的影响

On the relationship between culture and translationPosted:2011-4-19 11:40:00 views:5335Abstract: how to get rid of different cultural backgrounds and language barriers, more effectively convey the original meaning has been expressed in the focus of attention. This difference in thought and Western culture, cultural psychology, religion, customs, natural environment and living a few aspects, clarify cultural differences on English Translation.Paper Keywords: translation and cultural awareness of Culture and thinking 1. IntroductionMr. Zhu Guangqian that the associative meaning of foreign literature in translation in the most difficult. Because it is the context in literature has a special meaning, this meaning is not find in the dictionary, but for literature but it is important. This requires us to understand a country's customs and history, Culture, otherwise there will be time to do the translation can not start feeling. (Guangqian, 1996:184). British anthropologist Edward Taylor In " <Primitive Culture> "(1871), a book for the first time a concept of Culture as mentioned, and described as:" Culture is a complex, which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and his works Acquisition of the ability of the society and habits. "shows a very wide coverage of culture, it is a complex system. language as an integral part of culture, reflecting the rich cultural phenomenon of a nation.The reason is not so easy to translate, but because the language reflects culture, and carries the rich cultural connotations, and by cultural constraints. Once the language into the communication, then there is the understanding of the cultural meaning and expression issues. This requires the translator is not only be bilingual, but must be double-cultural and even multi-cultural knowledge, especially of the two languages to the national mentality, cultural formation, history, customs and traditions, religious and cultural and geographical landscape features and a series of factors have become mutually a certain understanding. is mutual change of these factors, only the English and Chinese language and culture reflects its own unique national characteristics.2. Translation of the cultural elements of2.1 ReligionWe all know that, "<Bible>> cultural life in the West play the role of the source. Relevant data show that: the vast majority of Americans still believe religion. While the Chinese have long been the impact of Confucianism, even in China Buddhism spread widely, but also a profound secular effect by polytheism, which is different from the western Great Unification of the concept of monotheistic religions. Chinese people believe in Buddhism Taoism, in the language there, "Jade Emperor", " Buddha''and other words, while Western people believe in Christianity, so there is "God". Chinese, "Man proposes, God disposes", in English there are two different translation, that "Manpropose , Heavendisposes ", or''ManDropose, Goddisposes". Their difference is that the "days" of different translation of the word. "days" in China's traditional culture, Buddhism and Taoism with a strong color, and "God" is a Christian was the color. which of course translations change of naturalization benefit the understanding and acceptance of Western readers, but not conducive to the "days" of the unique Chinese characteristics, the spread of cultural content. English by the religious implications, mainly in Some idioms, such as ItsinGodshands (resigned) and so on. Translation grasp of religious knowledge is very necessary. to Chinese, "cramming" the idiom, for example, if simply translated into "toembraceBuddha'Sfeetinone'S hourofneed" will let Western readers wonder why, if necessary, to hold the Lord Buddha's feet? what to do with it? little deal with the case if we, the Western reader to understand them is another matter "toembraceBuddha'sfeetinone'shourofneed - seek help atthelastmoment ". (Bao Hui Nam, 2003:20).2.2 Cultural PsychologyBecause the language used in different nations is not the same, and their history and culture is also varied. So each nation in its long process of development, in the distinctive historical conditions of its own national characteristics. This is the formation of a nation has a huge psychological impact. historical and cultural differences, mainly in historical allusion, and many taboos and preferences to be reflected on the differences. the number "9" for example. the number of meanings in ancient China in particular because it represents a supreme significance: the Jiujiuguiyi, dominating the world of meaning. and "4" and Chinese as the number of "dead" the pronunciation is similar to so many people still do not like the numbers, especially phone number. quite a lot of people do not want to be a "4" for the tail number of the number. As for the "8" figure and fortune as the "fat" and by the homonym favorable for some people. And in theWestern consciousness, 4,8 and 9 only a very common symbol of natural numbers, does not have such special significance. we all know, in the eyes of Westerners, "'is not a lucky number, which means bad luck. So there is no seat in the West 13, building did not l3 layer and so on. But in China, this figure does not have that special meaning. For those expressed by non-language culture, the translator only in-depth understanding of the history and culture of all ethnic groups can accurately grasp before. ( Bao Hui Nam, 2003:9).As long as the talk about Chinese culture, people always automatically think of "Dragon" character. Because in the beginning will be in the feudal, ancient Chinese emperors always describe themselves as the embodiment of Jackie Chan, self-styled "true sons of the dragon" in order to achieve slavery ideas, tame people, and consolidate political power, bringing peace to the purpose of governing the country. And people put the dragon as their own gods to be worshiped, saying he is descendants of the dragon, the beast pray that God bless. Thus the "Dragon" became the Chinese nation totem is a symbol of the spirit and cohesion of the mark. So there are a lot of the Chinese "dragon" character composed of words that a good image. If Succeed, flamboyant, Dragon and Phoenix, Longtenghuyue, Long Xiang tiger step, the finishing touch, the Dragon Long Sun and other bright image. Because of this, Chinese culture and will have a "Dragon Culture" in the world. but in the Western view, the "dragon" is another kind of image that "alargeiferce fabulousanimalwith wings and a long tail, a crested head andenoYITIOUSclaws, thatcanbreatheoutifre. "(a large size, having two wings, the top of a pattern, a huge monster feet). So the" hopeful "translated into" expectone'S childtobecomeadragon ", Western met with not only surprised, and certainly will not let their children become dragon. Therefore, in order to avoid misunderstanding, we can put this phrase translated longtoseeone'schildsucceedinlife.2.3 way of thinkingDifferent geographical, physical, psychological and cultural differences to form a different way of thinking, in particular, cultural differences to a large extent determine the differences in the way of thinking. Translators during the translation between English and Chinese, to climax over barriers between Eastern and Western culture s and accurate grasp of the difference between the two modes of thinking.Good thinking is the image of the characteristics of the Chinese way of thinking, as they are accustomed to things is an organic whole, but longer than the logic of Western thinking, their way of thinking is linear, to things as different from each -part, which part of the deal out of what part of the problem. the difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine on a good illustration of this point. TCM Differential Treatment of emphasis on the whole, while Western medicine is stop-gap measure feet. (Jia new ,1997:98-100).First, from the statement of the convergence approach, the English form of multi-purpose legal (hypotaxis), which used to link words in the syntactic form of the sentence (or clause) to link the Chinese multi-purpose legal (Darataxis), by the sense that convergence rather than relying on conjunctions.English grammar quite closely, pay attention to shape together, form strict. Each sentence, paragraph or paragraphs of the general by a number of function words and certain phrases, clauses to connect. These functions can be expressed in different words and phrases features or ideas, such as cause and effect, comparison, concessions, conditions, turn and so on. In Subordinate sentence, every clause structured by the main clause must be to guide from the conjunctions. And the new man, the juxtaposition of clauses are usually connected by some punctuation. we all know, Chinese is the heavy Parataxis , a lot of sentences or clauses, regardless of primary and secondary relationship between, for only through the sense of convergence, conjunction with very little. Compare the following sentences:It is SO COO1thatwe decide to go outfor awalk. The weather is cool, we decided to go for a walk. Links to Research Papers Download As water can lfoata ship, SO can it swallowtheship. Water can carry a boat, can also overturn it.W herethereisawill, there isaway. Opportunities do. (Shen Supingother ,2007:27-28).Second, the overall thinking and individual thinking differences. Chinese culture emphasizes the whole mode of thinking, since ancient times attached great importance to harmony and unity. "Precious" and is well represented this idea.Therefore, in Chinese as the subject of actors, usually omitted, which is often said that non-main clause. But Western culture is quite different, it emphasizesthe opposition of subject and object. Is reflected in language The so-called predicate two. In addition to other imperative, every English sentence must have a subject, otherwise the sentence is incomplete. Therefore, when in Translation, many Chinese sentences depending on the context we need them Add a subject. For example, seeing going to rain and no umbrella, are related worry, I really do not know where to go.Itisraining, wedonothavenoumbrellawithUS. Weareallworried aboutit, becausewedonotknow wheretogoatthe moment.We can see a description of the original sentence is not a word that can be done subject, but here, according to the context of the context and the specific environment, when translated into English, respectively, and we added it as the subject of different clauses , so that the mentality of those involved and environment at the time a good blend, fully meet the "Heaven" realm. After the subject was added to meet the English sentence must have a subject of the requirements, but also, to comply with European and American culture, the so-called separation of subjective and objective mode of thinking. The whole structure of the target language appears to complete structured.2.4 Geographical EnvironmentAround the geographical environment has a great influence on the climate, while the language used by local people and the meaning of the words also have very significant impact. For example, Chinese "wind" and the English word in the "eastwind" word While literally is the corresponding, but their meaning is completely different. China is characterized by terrain: mountain west, the east is the ocean, in the consciousness of the Chinese people, the "wind" metaphor refers to the "spring ", a symbol of" warm. "But in England," East Wind "is blowing from the north of the continent of Europe, in the British mind, was" cold "sign. The" West Wind "but never the Atlantic winds, and China "Dongfeng" have the same symbolic meaning. Therefore, the British even more love "west." famous English poet Shelley that the first widespread Odetothe West Wind (<<West Wind Song ">) to last through the ages in the famous expression the meaning of the good west wind: "O, wind, if Winter comes, canSpringbefarbehind?" (ah, the west wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?) certainly do not make comments, the Chinese readers will not understand, or even misleading.As another example, the image of mice in Chinese is not too good, like "Shuoshu" Metaphor well known, more "mice on the streets of the said people cry." But in the West actually has many film and television works cute mouse image, for example <<Tom and Jerry> "Lane's Jen-y1_: 2 and" The <Stuart Little> "Lane's Stuard, etc., by the people love. Rats in the foreign culture has in common. For example, and Chinese "timid", and Western culture "astimidasahare" rule is the same expression. (hare is a rabbit, that rabbit timid Westerners). (Li Park, 2008).2.5 CustomsDifferent people say hello, title, thanks, compliments, apology, farewell, it is customary to call, etc. with the corresponding characteristics of the nation. If greeting the Chinese people so often say: "Where are you going?", "Do What is it? "or" eat it? "and so on. In Chinese culture, the meaning of these words is not only a courtesy, a way of greeting. However, this type of problem is the West sensitive. because these are purely private matter, in their view, others could not be inquisitive. greeting meeting like this, depending on the circumstances in the West should do the corresponding cultural transformation in favor of English idioms, such as "Hi! "," Good morning "or" How areyou? "In the title, different languages on a concept and scope of the allegations are not the same. This is the United States from different cultural backgrounds, such as the decision. Because the Chinese concept of family-oriented, very decent family, so called to distinguish between the more developed the relationship between different family members. like my sister and her sister, brother and brother very clear distinction between the boundaries. And in the Western countries due to focus on the so-called nuclear family, so family members of small, underdeveloped title also Vocabulary. English The sister and brother can be used to represent each sister and brother and sister and brother. so many Chinese people are very understanding of this title. In many cases, the translation of this text when you need filling in order to avoid misunderstanding. Cousins also said that kinship is not the same word in English, are required in the time line that we should be careful when foreign communication, so that communication can be extended to. (including benefitsSouthern ,2003:103-105).3. ConclusionAll in all, a language is the culture of that particular product. In cross-culturalcommunication, "cultural conflict" (cuhureshock) phenomenon is inevitable. However, in a short time in order to overcome these conflicts can be difficult. Because in order to a language, meaning all the ingredients to the symbolic meaning from the surface through an interpreter, accurately express all of it is almost impossible. translatability of by many factors, such as differences in people's thinking, there are regions of different cultural practices cultural differences and so on. So, in translation, how to deal with cultural factors become very important task of the translator. As a responsible translator, the translator should be able to accurately grasp the cultural meaning of the original text, if necessary, to cultural background of the original text contained in the translation to be an appropriate comment, in the alien culture is easy to misunderstand the concept of the reader to make necessary clarifications, which will help the reader cross-cultural divide, at their best understanding. Links Research Papers Download。