歇后语英译中的文化缺省与补偿策略研究_英语论文

Study on Cultural Default and Compensation Strategies Employed in C-E Translation of Enigmatic Folk Similes

摘要

歇后语是中华文化的精华，具有典型性，在长期的实践中形成，展现了鲜明的民族文化特色。语言和文化是互相依存，密不可分的，而歇后语的含义经常是隐含的。由于中西方文化差异很大，如果交际双方想要达到预期的交际目的，不管是在日常交际过程中或文学作品中，都需要有共同的背景知识。汉译英中的文化缺省现象常常造成语义表达的不完整，从而影响交际效果。如果只用直译的方法来解决而不进行补充，就有可能给目的语受众带来理解上的困难。通过补偿策略来补足译文的信息不足，使目的语受众了解使用歇后语的意图及内在含义，从而有助于突破传统方式中直译的枯燥性，提高翻译质量。

关键词：歇后语；翻译；文化缺省；文化补偿

Abstract

Enigmatic folk simile, which is very typical, is the essence of the Chinese culture. It has been formed in the long term of practice, revealing the distinctive features of our national culture. Language and culture are interdependent and inseparable. Meanwhile, the allegorical meanings of enigmatic folk similes are often implied. Owing to the great differences between the Chinese culture and western culture, shared background knowledge is needed to achieve the intended purpose of communication, no matter in the process of daily communication or in literary works. In C-English translation, cultural default always results in incomplete semantic expression which has a great impact on the success of communication. If literal translation is adopted without compensation, target readers may have difficulty in understanding. Through compensation strategy, more information can be added to make the implicit meaning explicit, thus, the allegorical meanings will be easily accepted by target readers. Cultural compensation can help break through the baldness of traditional literal translation as well as improving the quality of translation. 

Keywords: Enigmatic folk simile  Translation  Cultural Default  Cultural Compensation