A Tentative Analysis of the Influence of the Culture Sense on English Idiom Translation [6]
论文作者:佚名论文属性:短文 essay登出时间:2009-04-20编辑:黄丽樱点击率:9922
论文字数:4645论文编号:org200904202347514740语种:英语 English地区:中国价格:免费论文
关键词:idiomsculture senseword-for-word translationfree translation习语\文化意蕴意象直译意译
the idioms. We can never translate them at the first view since we may be puzzled by the literal meanings. For example:
① pull one's leg mistranslation:拉后腿
correct-translation:愚弄某人,开某人的玩笑
② move heaven and earth mistranslation:翻天覆地
correct-translation:想方设法,千方百计
③ child's play mistranslation:儿戏
correct-translation:简单的东西
④ eat one 's words mistranslation:食言
correct-translation:承认自己说错了话
⑤ dog-eat-dog mistranslation:狗咬狗
correct-translation:残酷争夺,人吃人的关系
4.2 Mistranslation caused by misunderstanding of cultural information
Since both cultures are different in many aspects, the same thing
in idioms may stand for different even opposite thing,which is caused by the misunderstanding of culture information. e.g.
① The couple lead a cat and dog life ,and always complain each other .
From the Chinese culture sense ,we may tend to translate this idiom "leads a cat and dog life " as "过着猪狗不如的生活"(leading a very poor and miserable life). In fact, it should be translated as "争吵不休的生活,尤指夫妻不和睦.
② Your son is a little monkey.
In china, monkey is the symbol of wisdom and swiftness, so “monkey(猴子)” can be used to praise children especially little boys. In England, however, it does not have this meaning but have the meaning of “lively mischievous child”.
③ make a killing.
This idiom can’t be translated as “杀人”. It means “to gain a large amount of money.”
④The judge sent him up the river.
“Up the river” is not the version of “上游”.It means “in jail”.
5. Suggested methods of idioms translation
As what we have discussed in the last four chapters, the function of culture sense in idioms translation can never be ignored. We should adopt different methods according to the differences of both languages.
5.1 The method of word-for-word translation
It is also called direct translation or literal translation. It is based on the transferable feature and the feature of shared culture sense, which are discussed in Chapter2. Although there many disadvantages of this method, it is still adopted by translators because of its convenience and easiness. As long as there is no misunderstanding, it is preferred. Examples:
1) eye for eye, tooth for tooth. 以眼还眼,以牙还牙
2) Wash one’s hand of a thing. 洗手不干
3) Time is money. 时间就是金钱
4) a bad egg. 坏蛋
5.2 The method of free translation
Since it is much more liberal than the word-for word translation, it can also be called liberal translation. Obviously, the use of word-for- word translation is strictly limited, so we can not convey the implied meaning very well and the Chinese version is bound to be confusing and hard to understand. Look at the table below:
English Idioms Chinese Version
Word-for-Word Free Translation
Blow hot and cold 忽而吹热风,忽而吹冷风. 朝三暮四
All at sea 全然在海上 不知所措
Let sleeping dogs lie 让睡觉的狗躺着 莫惹是生非
Be in hot water 在热水中 有麻烦
5.3 The method of using notes
This method is very useful when we translate some idioms that originate from allusions, legends and so on. There are mainly two types:
5.3.1 Direct translation plus notes
Good literal translation has been proved to be very helpful to acquire the culture sense of English idioms, but direct literal translation without any notes may puzzle
readers, as a result, cultural gaps will be produced.
Examples:
1)as American as
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