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1、Cultural Differences between English and Chinese Idioms and Their TranslationAbstract: Language is closely related to culture. An idiom is a fixed expressing way which is formed in the course of using language. It is also the cream of language, which reflects culture concisely. There are rich idioms
2、 both in English and Chinese language, but the cultural differences result in different cultural implication and expression between the two languages. Understanding the cultural differences can enhance the intercultural awareness of language learners, help them to comprehend and use the idioms accur
3、ately and get rid of the barrier in studying the two languages. So when translating idioms, learners shouldnt treat them as words. It is necessary for learners to transfer idioms cultural implication to the target language readers, and pay more attention to the cultural differences and choose approp
4、riate techniques. The version will cause the same effects as source language to readers. As development of the epoch, the language learners must expand their knowledge about culture, develop the translation theories and practice the theories.Key words: English and Chinese idioms, cultural difference
5、s, translation methods摘 要：语言与文化密切相关，习语是一种在语言使用过程中形成的独特的固定表达方式，是语言中最精华的部分，最能体现其相关文化。英汉语言中都拥有大量的习语资源，英汉的不同文化背景导致它们习语的文化蕴涵和结构也有所不同。理解这些文化差异有利于提高语言学习者的跨文化交际意识，掌握和正确应用这些习语，克服学习英语或汉语的障碍。所以，在翻译习语时不能简单地就词论词，应从文化翻译的角度去向读者传输其文化内涵；注意文化差异，采取恰当的翻译方法，使译文能引起译文读者的共鸣。随着时代的发展，语言学习者应不断扩充自身的文化知识，发展翻译理论，实践翻译理论。 关键词：英汉习语
6、；文化差异；翻译方法ContentsAbstractiContentsiiiIntroduction 11. The definition of idioms 22. The main reasons of cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms 32.1 Different living circumstances 32.2 Different history culture 52.3 Different traditional customs 72.4 Different religions and beliefs 1
7、02.5 Different thinking ways 112.6 Different national sports 133. The methods of translating idioms 133.1 Metaphrase 143.2 Substitution 153.3 Paraphrase163.4 Amplification 17Conclusion17Bibliography18Acknowledgements1935Introduction Culture is a kind of social behavior, and it is established by usag
8、e 1. Language is a part of culture. It transfers the cultural information from one generation to the next one as the carrier of culture. An idiom is the elite of language. It connects with peoples life more than other parts of language, and it also reflects the national culture. There are a lot of c
9、ultural differences between different languages, it is out of question that vast cultural differences exist in English and Chinese idioms. It is hard to understand and to utilize them correctly too. Their proper use in a language is often a mark of a persons command of the language. Speech or writin
10、g without them lacks color and is uninteresting, but overuse or improper use makes the language sound affected and unnatural2.The more the language learners understand about cultural differences, the better they study. The main reasons causing the cultural differences between English and Chinese idi
11、oms include living circumstances, history culture, and traditional customs, thinking ways, sports and so on. These reasons also result in the differences of cultural implications and expressions of idioms. For example :English idiom“a big fish in a small pond”correspond to “鹤立鸡群”in Chinese. If a per
12、son doesnt know the cultural background, he will fail to understand the two idioms. Now translators all over the world discuss the standards of translation acutely, but their common core is to translate faithfully and to keep the original style. According to the linguistic context and nonlinguistic
13、context (cultural context), we will take appropriate methods when translating idioms. Learners usually translate them by metaphrase, paraphrase, substitution, amplification, omission and so on.1. The definition of idioms Culture is not only a sum of customs, beliefs, arts and so on, but also a resul
14、t of nation development, different nations own different culture. Language is a part of culture and plays an important role. It is the carrier and container of culture, and strongly influenced by culture. Culture and language is closely related, each influencing and shaping the other.3 American famo
15、us translator Eugene A. Nida said: “Differences in culture mean differences in language.” An idiom, Oxford Advanced learners English-Chinese dictionary definite as a phrase or a sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit, is
16、a particular part of language and culture of society, Idioms are characterized by their conciseness, richness and vividness and profundity. They include metaphorical phrases, slangs, proverbs, allusions, colloquialisms, set phrases and post pause expressions etc. Idioms are usually highly specialize
17、d in meaning and closely tied to distinctive culture features, culture attitudes and so on, and mirror a lot of culture information Because of the different culture in different nations, every nation has its own particular idioms from the development of its society, there is no doubt that English id
18、ioms differ from Chinese. China and Britain are two countries who both have long history, they have abundant knowledge of language. Learning idioms will help us to study the idioms from the two different nations, understand the cultural difference between Chinese and English, and learn the two langu
19、ages2. The main reasons of cultural differences between English and Chinese idiomsThe following are the main reasons which causing cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms, and their differences influence in the two languages.2.1 Different living circumstancesA nations geographical en
20、vironment is a framework in which a language and culture have been developed, the geographical features are reflected in the national language inevitably. Chinese and English people live in absolutely different natural environment, and their culture and language also develop differently. Britain is
21、an island country that is surrounded by the wide sea, consequently lots of English idioms have something to do with sea and water. For example, “at the sea”, “a sea of”, “feel like out of water”, “to keep ones head above water” and so on. Although China lies on the continent of Asia with a long coas
22、t line, people spend much time in staying in hills and plains, some Chinese idioms reflect that environment, such as “逐鹿中原”、“有眼不识泰山”、“土崩瓦解”. And Chinese people feel mystical about sea, and far from it. “海市蜃楼”、“海角天涯”、“海枯石烂”are good examples to express their feelings fully. This reason also makes Engl
23、ish idioms and their relative Chinese idioms differ in expression, for instance, English idiom “spend money like water” means splashing money on something, but Chinese saying is “挥金如土”, “Between the devil and the deep sea” corresponds to “进退维谷”, “A small leak will sink a great ship” is equivalent to
24、 “千里之堤，毁于蚁穴”. Idioms are closely related to peoples work. Britain once led the world with its navigation, therefore some English idioms connect with navigation and fishing. For instance, “go by the board”, “raise the wind”, “to sail under false colors”, “big fish”, “Never offer to teach fish to swim
25、”. “The great fish eat up the small” etc. Livestock farming is a main part of English agriculture, and it influences the idioms too, like “tarred with the same brush”, “wool-gathering”, “loose ones wool”4. And Chinese people are good at planting ,so many idioms are from planting, such as “前人栽树，后人乘凉”
26、，“种豆得豆，种瓜得瓜”，“庄稼一枝花，全靠肥当家”. Geographic position changes the regional climate, which is another element influencing the language. High mountain is in the west of China, while the sea is in the east. In Chinese culture, west wind is the wind of cold and lone, like “西风残阳”, “西风扫落叶”, “西风瘦马”,and east wind
27、 is “the wind of spring”. “东风解冻”，“东风劲吹，捷报频传”，and “等闲识得东风面，万紫千红总是春”. Summer is always connected with hotness in Chinese, “骄阳似火” is an example. But Britain is located in western hemisphere with north temperate zone and marine climate, the west wind is a symbol of spring, the famous English poet Shirle
28、ys Ode to West Wind is a praising song of spring. In Britain, summer is warm and confortable, which is usually described as lovely, gentle and nice. For example: Shall I compare there to a summers day?Thou are more lovely and more temperate.Shakespeare compared his lover to summer in the two lines o
29、f his sonnet 18. Different ecosystem brings about different idioms, English idiom “spring up like mushrooms” has a relative Chinese idiom “雨后春笋”, “plentiful black berries” is equivalent to “多如牛毛”.2.2 Different history cultureHistory culture includes allusions, fables, literary works and so on. It is
30、 the centralized expression of a national culture, a great part of it is the collection of peoples wisdom, and its characteristics appear in idioms too. The structures of these idioms are simple, but cant be comprehended unless understanding their background. Comparatively, Chinese idioms carry more
31、 historical color and literary allusion than do English idioms 5.2.2.1 History eventsEach war in the history changed peoples life widely, and many words, phrases and sentences about war become idioms. Every political group remained more or less different influences in peoples life and language too.
32、There are some idioms which are full of war feature, “All roads lead to Rome” was from the Roman Conquest, “put all ones eggs in one basket” was translated from a France idiom in Normandy Conquest, “OK” is an idiom from American which was made after the independence of North America 4. In Chinese, “
33、卧薪尝胆”， “得陇望蜀”，“败走麦城” and so on are from the history events. Different history trances breed different idioms, there are differences in expression, “Rom was not built in a day” can be translated as “冰冻三尺，非一日之寒”, the idiom “burn ones boats” corresponds to “破釜沉舟” , But some idioms have no relative idio
34、ms in other language. .For example: “Bear the palm” means success, but there is no idiom like that in Chinese.2.2.2 History fablesFables transfer the oldest wisdom and imagination, and play an important role in spreading the civilization, they record the process of human development. English idiom “
35、rain cats and dogs” is from the Northern Europe fable, ancient Norsemens immortal was Odin, a dog symbols wind, a cat means rain, and so “rain cats and dogs” explain to violent storm. “The wooden horse of Troy”, “the Herculian efforts” etc. are the same. “守株待兔” is from a Chinese fable which tells a
36、person who saw a rabbit run headlong against a tree and died, he took it back very happily , then abandoned his work and waited by the tree in the hope that another rabbit would do the same thing. Besides “叶公好龙”，“嫦娥奔月”，“名落孙山” and so on are from fables. The idioms from different nation fables differ
37、in meanings and expressions.2.2.3 Literary worksThere are no same writings from two persons on the same topic, of course the writers from English and Chinese couldnt make the same works, the idioms from their literary works have obvious differences , “梁园虽好，不是久恋之家” is from Water Margin, “明是一盆火，暗是一把刀”
38、is from Dream of Red Mansions. “天生我材必有用”is from Li Bais poems. “Knowledge is power” is from Francis Bacons poems, “a nine days wonder” is from Geoffrey Chaucers Troilus and Cressid. “Out of joint” is from Shakespeares Hamlet.Some names are from the history culture became idioms when most people are
39、familiar with them. “Darby and Joan” is from an ancient English ballad, it means a happy old couple. “A Hercules” means a man own unusual strength. “诸葛亮” is from Three kingdoms and he is a symbol of wisdom. “活雷锋” means a man who posses the spirit of help others happily, hard working and honest to hi
40、s party like Lei Feng.2.3 Different traditional customsCustoms are formed from the long history of a nation, which are the reflection and expression of the nation cultural consciousness. The rich national customs breed various idioms, traditional customs influences on idioms exist in diet, animals,
41、names, colors and so on. The differences between English and Chinese traditional customs change idioms expressions in those aspects too.2.3.1 DietDiet is the necessary part of peoples daily life. It can change peoples language directly. “A piece of cake” and “小菜一碟” both mean an easy thing, but it ha
42、s different expressions because of two different diet habits between Chinese and English. Cake is a kind of common food in western countries also in Britain, however, cake is not usually be ate in China, comparatively we can make “小菜” easier. Due to these differences, Chinese and English use two abs
43、olutely different idioms to show the same meaning sometimes. English people closely relate to bread, butter, cheese, so these food often appear in idioms. For instance “to eat the bread of idleness, “butter up”, “whole cheese” etc. Chinese eat rice mainly, so it has idioms such as “生米煮成了熟饭”，“无米之炊”.2
44、.3.2 AnimalsPeoples attitudes toward animals are the most typical aspect to express the differences between English and Chinese traditional customs, English people think the dog as humans best friend, and it is friendly, lovely and honest, but Chinese people treat it as a humble animal. In English,
45、the phrases such as “lucky dog”, “love me, love my dog” and “work like a dog” reveal the peoples love to dog, however, Chinese has lots of idioms like “狗腿子”，“狼心狗肺”，“狗嘴里吐不出象牙”，“狗眼看人低”which show the detestableness to dog clearly.Another case is a horse. A horse plays an important role in English farmi
46、ng and living, so the word “horse” appear in language usually.For example: “flog a dead horse”, “hold your horse”, “horse of another color” and so on. Chinese people let the cattle to plant, so there are a lot of idioms about cattle in Chinese. For instance, “牛脾气”， “牛是当家宝”， “有勤无牛白起早”etc. Most of the
47、 Chinese idioms about horse are connected with military affairs and Chinese chess, like “马到成功”, “马后炮”and so on. Some English idioms about horse correspond to the idioms about cattle in Chinese, English “talk horse” equal to “吹牛” in Chinese, “勤恳的老黄牛”is equivalent to “a willing horse”.Similarly dragon
48、 is an animal in peoples imagination, which is admired and worshiped by Chinese people. It is not only the symbol of emperor in feudal China but also a representative of power, strength and dignity, luck, for example “真龙天子”，“生龙活虎”，“龙腾虎跃”etc. In English a dragon is a fabulous monster. An intractable woman can be named dragon too, Satan is