浅析文化差异对习语翻译的影响_英语论文

A Brief Discussion on Idiom Translation in Light of Cultural Difference

摘要

语言是文化的载体，它反映文化并且使文化形成一种模式。翻译包含了集中语言行为，它代表了各个国家的文化。在多种翻译文本中，习语翻译是一种典型的可以呈现原语言特色的手段。这篇文章主要探索影响习语翻译的文化因素例如宗教、习俗、心理联系、思维模式并提出了一些习语翻译策略。

关键词：文化差异；人生观和价值观；习语翻译策略

Abstract

Language is a carrier of culture which reflects culture and helps form a cultural mode. Translation involves several communicative acts which represent respective culture of nations. Among types of translation, idiom translation is a typical process for presenting cultural characteristics of the source language. This paper makes an investigation of cultural factors influencing idiom translation like religion, customs, psychological association, mode of thinking, and then proposes some strategies for idiom translation. 

Keywords: cultural differences; outlook on life and value; strategies for idiom translation 

Contents

1.Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 2

3. Definitions of Culture and Idiom 2

3.1 Culture 3

3.2 Idiom 3

4. Cultural Differences between Chinese and English Idioms 4

4.1 Convention, religion and history 4

4.2 Psychological association 6

4.3 Mode of thinking 6

4.4 Outlook on life and value 7

5.Difficulties in Idiom Translation 9

5.1Unequivalence of Chinese and English idioms 9

5.2Distorting meaning of idioms 9

5.3Conventional usage 10

6.Strategies for Idiom Translation 10

6.1Literal translation 10

6.2Free translation 10

6.3Structure-borrowing 11

6.4Additional translation 11

6.5 Combination of literal and free translation 12

6.6Omission 12

7. Conclusion 12

Works Cited 14