Abstract

Language is the carrier of culture. And idioms are called the essence of language. The Chinese folk wisecracks are unique expressions in Chinese national culture. Its deep ethnic color and unique structure cannot be found in other languages. There are no corresponding expressions in English for Chinese folk wisecracks. Therefore, translation of Chinese folk wisecracks into English becomes one of the most difficult parts in Chinese-English translation and the cultural connotation is difficult to be conveyed. Based on two popular English version of Chinese masterpiece A Dream in Red Mansions, this article compares the translation of folk wisecracks in the novel and analyzes reasons for differences in translation, expecting to arouse further thoughts on translation of Chinese folk wisecracks.

Keywords: Chinese folk wisecracks; A Dream in Red Mansions;cultural differences; translation strategies

摘要

语言是文化的载体习语。汉语习语中的歇后语更是汉民族文化独有的表达方式。其浓厚的民族色彩和独特的结构形式,是其他语言中所没有的。英语中没有与之完全对应的表达法。因此歇后语的翻译构成了汉英翻译的难点之一，汉语歇后语的文化内涵也很难传递。本文以两个最受欢迎的《红楼梦》小说的英译版为基础，比较两个版本中对歇后语翻译的差异，探讨形成这种差异的原因，以期激发对汉英翻译中歇后语翻译的更多思考。

关键词：汉语歇后语; 《红楼梦》；翻译策略；文化差异