成语翻译的原则和方法

西北师范大学

学年论文

题目：On The Translation of Idiom

学院：外国语学院

专业：英语（翻译方向）

学生姓名：袁武军

学号：200952050316

指导教师：金萍

论文题目：On the Translation of Idiom

(论谚语的翻译)

1. Introduction

2. Definition and Features of Idiom

Definition of Idiom s………………………………………………...………….….……………..2.1 Origins of Idioms……………………………………………………….……...……….………..2.2 Unique format and connotation………………………………………….……...……….………2.3 Cultural Differences between Chinese an d English Idioms………………………...……………2.4 3. Principles and Methods of Idiom Translation

4. Conclusion

Abstract

Idioms have always played a very important part in translation. No matter they are Chinese Idioms or idioms in other languages. China’s history is a history of idioms, People of all class, both in the past and today, use a lot of idioms when they are writing and talking. However, idioms are always hard to translation due to the different backgrounds of different languages. Sometimes one can not even understand some idioms in one’s own language. Idioms their own features and have their own ways of translation. Therefore, translation of idiom becomes very important because it is related with many different factors, for the same idiom may have different meaning when it comes to different situations. And today we will have a major discuss on how to translate Chinese idioms to English accurately.

Key words: features, methods, culture background

摘要

无论是汉语的谚语，还是其它语言的谚语，在翻译中它们总是扮演着至关重要的角色。中国的悠久的历史酝酿出了丰富多彩的谚语，无论是在古代，还是现在，人们在写作中、讲话中都能冒出几句谚语来。然而，由于文化背景的不同，谚语是翻译中比较翻译的一部分，有些谚语甚至在母语中都是很难理解的。谚语有其独特的特点，也有其独特的翻译方式。所以，说谚语的翻译至关重要是因为它牵扯到很多不同的因素，相同的谚语在不同的场合也许会出现不同含义。现在，我们将重点讨论如何准确的将汉语中的谚语的翻译成英语。

关键词：特点，文化背景，方法

On the Translation of Chinese Idiom

1. Introduction

In ancient times, there were few communications between China and other countries，and translation of idioms is not that important, but since the Opium War (1840-1842), a lot of scholars were learning from the west, and translation of all kinds affairs promoted the spread of Chinese culture, and since then idiom translation became inevitable when it comes to foreign affairs. Therefore, it is a long history since language and culture have been linked to each other in research. To discuss translation by proceeding from the unique format and connotation of idiom is a new topic as well as a rich field for research. Idioms become the hot topic of the academic circle with their universal appeal because idioms are recognized as the crystallization of language. It has been noticed that much of the previous work on the translation of English and Chinese idioms has often been related with classifications, features, origins, and basic translation method, etc. These aspects have been made incisive studies by researchers; but as the gem of a nation’s culture, idioms should have more connection with the connotation and features of idioms themselves.

2.Definition and Features of Idiom

An idiom is generally a metaphor—a term requiring some foundational knowledge, information, or experience, to use only within a culture, where conversational members must have the same cultural background. Beyond that culture, one may be confused by the face value of idioms. Some idioms have the same origin and it makes idiom translation much easier because people know how it originated and what it means. But some idioms have different backgrounds, that is to say, they originated from what didn’t exist for people who have lived in a different group, thus, making it harder to translate what people don’t understand. And next, we will study what unique format and connotations does idiom have.

2.1Definition of Idiom

What is an idiom? The definition in Wikipedia,Idiom is an expression, word, or