Idioms Translation and Cultural Differences

patoiss interlingual rendition and Cultural DifferencesIdioms Translation and Cultural DifferencesAbstract As we know, talking to is be ber of culture and tongues argon heavily cultur eithery peeved phrases and sen cristalces. To read position barbarisms involves obstacles for Chinese features. When an idiomatical expression is being seed, we leave come it often hard to be translated. While the key to translate is that its synecdochic kernel should be remained. In this paper, it is from living conditions, customs, religions belief and historical allusions to follow cultural differences amid position and Chinese idioms, and detailed description of methods in incline and Chinese idioms description.Key words Language , Cultural differences , Idioms , Translation methods1. Introduction Language is the carrier of culture. Both slope and Chinese spoken communication has a large history.They have a large number of idioms, they are implicitly, humor, serious and e fo rkant. While idioms are a genuinely important carve up of any language, and idiom description plays an important role in comment. Idiom is a speech form or an expression of a wedded language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or ho riding habitnot be to a lower placestood from the single meanings of its elements. Idioms include colloquialisms, proverbs,slangs and so on. When we translate idioms from Chinese into English or English into Chinese, we should know the cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms, and we aft(prenominal) part honour the right translation methods.2. the Cultural Differences between Chinese and English Idioms Idioms translation is an intercultural activity, therefore, we should take cultural differences into consideration when we translate them. And the cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms can be classified into four types.2.1. From living conditions The inseparable environment is the basis of hu creation livi ng and development. chinaware is a orbit with continental climate, Chinese lot live in the continent of Asia. Since antediluvian patriarch times, China is a large agricultural country, the land is important to pluralitys life. Therefore, there are many idioms related to wind, agriculture and land-related. such as ( roll out the root of trouble ), ( seasonable weather for crop increase ), ( spend m maveny the like water ) ( anything is ready except the eastmost wind ), ( )Chinese people can construe its meaning, for British people it is difficult. Because in Chinese east wind symbolizes spring and warmth , and The United state is located in the western hemisphere north temperate zone, with nautical climate. In England, east wind comes from the northern part of the European continent, and it symbolizes parky and unpleasant ,while west wind symbolizes spring in England, so they can not understand the real meaning of Chinese idiom. In English there are many i dioms related to water, fish, boat and so on, ofttimes(prenominal) as as weak as water (), in doubtful water () to keep ones head above water (), water under the bridge ()drink like a fish (), to miss the boat (), all at sea ().2.2. From customs There are many differences between English and Chinese customs. In China, people think themselves are descendant of the Dragon, the dragon is a symbol of auspicious animals. Thus, we have dragon-related idioms contain favourable sense. Such as (To expect ones son to become an outstanding personage), (Harmony reigns) and so on. In western countries, they think dragon is a shoot-breathing animal and it is terrifying. In addition, peoples attitude toward the label is different. In English-speaking countries, people think the dog is a flock animal to human, such as Youre a well-fixed dog(),Every dog has his day().On the contrary, the dog is a lowly animal in China. Such as ( brutal and cold-blooded ),( the damned snobbish ),( a dogs embouchure emits no ivory ),etc.There is another specimen, in Chinese culture, ox is the symbol of diligence. From ancient times, Chinese farmers went in for farming with the admirer of ox. So Chinese give love and praise to ox. Then in Chinese we have when it is translated into English, it should be as strong as a horse, Chinese people say , in English, people say work like a horse . We use different animal to express the resembling meaning. In Chinese, there are some idioms related to eat , for example agent find oneself in serious trouble,means can be persuaded by reason simply not be cowed by force. slightly idioms because of their distinctive national features, can not found in English corresponding expression.2.3. From religions belief Religious belief is an important part in culture. Different religious beliefs had different reflections in different idioms. Chinese people believe in Buddhism and Taoism, therefore there are many Chinese idioms are related to Bud dhism. Such as ( borrowing the opportunity ),( buyback of all sentient beings ),( when the devil was sick, the devil a monk would be ),( While the priest climb a post, the devil climb ten )etc. While in English-speaking countries, people believe in Christianity. So they have many idioms related to Christianity. Such as as unforesightful as a church mouse () God help those who help themselves (), God sends fortune to fools (), Go to hell (), Gods mill goes slowly, only if it powder well (), wash ones hands off (), the Day of Judgement () and so on.2.4. From historical allusions An important part of historical culture is historical allusion, and England and China have a large number of idioms originated from historical allusion. These idioms are uncomplicated but far-reaching, and we often can not be understood from the material meaning. In Chinese we have ( wait for windfalls ),( give out late than neer ),( spoil things by excessive enthusiasm )( Mantis catch a cicada, sis kin is hind.),( be pounded on all sides )etc. Most English allusive idioms come from the Bible and Greek and Roman mythology. Such as Achilles weenie (), Penelopes web (), The Trojan Horse (), Meet ones Waterloo (), swan song (), pointer of Cupid (), A Pandoras box (), The apple of discord ()and so on.3. Principle and methods of idiom translation Idioms are usually short in form but profound in sense. Each idiom bears an moving picture and a metaphoric meaning. Idioms translation should be faithful. Faithful means the Chinese version essential be faithful to the English idiom at least in metaphoric sense, and English idioms are not exactly bear on to the Chinese idioms in tropical sense though they appear to be. For example, thrust ones leg is not agree to , move heaven and earth is not equal to and childs play is not equal to . In order to be faithful in translation ,we should convey the original analogical meanings and sacrifice the assures. Therefore, pull ones leg can be rendered into Chinese as , move heaven and earth can be rendered into and childs play can be rendered into Chinese as . All these renditions are faithful to the original rhetorical meanings. So each idiom bears an image and a extended meaning. An English idiom and a Chinese idiom which are same in image maybe different in figurative meaning. If we can transfer both the image and the figurative meaning by literal translation, we should use literal translation. If we can not, we should better keep the figurative meaning and sacrifice the image. Then, we should use lighten translation. Generally speaking, the common methods of translating idioms are the following types 1. Literal translation 2. Free translation 3. Literal translation + Free translation 4. fit translation3.1. Literal translation A literal translation is a translation that follows closely the form of the source language. If the image and the figurative meaning are not contradictory to each other, then both of them can be retained in the translation, we should make efforts to reduce the loss in translation and use literal translation method as much as possible. For instance, time is money is translated into , which preserves its original image and figurative meaning. There are many idioms of this patient ofIn English,1) Forbidden payoff is sweet. 2) In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king. 3) If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. 4) Half a loaf is better than no bread. 5) The Trojan horse. 6) Blood is thicker than water. 7) Misfortunes never come singly. 8) An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. In Chinese,1)It is easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow shot from hiding.2)A fire on the city wall brings disaster to the fish in the moat.3)As a long road tests a horses strength, so a long task proves a persons heart.4)New-born calves make little of tigers.5)Distant water sanctimoniousness quench present. As the langu age roots of the cultural is different, literal translation is likely to be ambiguous and vague. In this case, we should add annotation. Such as We know Chukeh Liang was a famous person in Chinese history, but maybe some western people have nothing active him. We can translate it into Three cobblers withe their wits combined equal Chukeh Liang, the master mind . ( show off ones proficiency with axe forward Lu Ban, the master carpenter )And in English, to carry coals to New rook ()3.2. Free translation Free translation means transmitting the figurative meaning in the original English idiom by means of free translation. And it usually loses the original image, like the translation of the English idiom Call a spade a spade , whose image and figurative meaning can not be accepted by the Chinese readers at the same time if they are literally rendered into Chinese as . So the translator can put it into Chinese as , which is pronto accepted by the Chinese readers. There are many id ioms of this kindIn Chinese, 1)Frankly speaking. 2) is a Chinese idiom, for Chinese people, it is easy to understand, and if we translate it into Dong Shi imitates Xi Shi , it will very difficult for western people to understand. Because they maybe dont know Dong Shi and Xi Shi. So we can translate it into crude imitation with ludicrous effect 3)What one loses on the swings one gets back on the roundabouts. ( If we use method of lateral translation, lose where the fair weather rises and gain where the sun set, the readers will can not understand it. ) 4)A loss may turn out to be a gain. ( due to the readers dont know the background of this idiom, we can not translate into When the old man on the frontier lost his mare, who could have guessed it was a blessing it was a blessing in disguise? ) 5)There will always be trouble until the trouble-maker is removed. ( If we translate it into Until Qing Fu is done extraneous with, the crisis in the state of Lu will not be over , the r eaders will not understand a persons name and country name. )6)A guilty person gives himself away by conspicuously protesting his innocence. ( We can not translate it into No ccc taels of silver buried here. )In English,1) a skeleton in the cupboard ()2) It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. ( It can not be translated into )3) Every man has a fool in his sleeve. ( It can not be translated into )4) When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war. ( It can not be translated into ) or so idioms from the religious literature, usually we need to use free translation. Such as ( All physical existence is vanity),( free from human desires and passions ),( principal and subordinate causes ),( human society ) and so on.3.3. Literal translation and Free translation This method means to transfer both the figurative meaning and image of source language idiom into target language with the help of free translation. This translation method can help retain the original figurative meaning an d image, which can be accepted by the target language readers.In Chinese the fire is singeing the eyebrows a desperate situation hypnotism a birch and ask for a flogging offer a humble apology show off ones dexterity with the axe in advance Lu Ban the master carpenter display ones slight skill before an expertIn EnglishA bull in a china shop The cat weeps over the mouse. There is no rose without a thorn.Every flow has its ebb.3.4. Adapted translation several(prenominal) English idioms are found exact counterparts in Chinese which are dissimilar to them in images. In this case we can use these idiomatic Chinese expressions to replace the English idioms. For examplesIn English, 1) He that sows the wind will reap the whirlwind. 2) Like begets like. 3) Many straws may bind an elephant. 4) When shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning game. In Chinese, 1) A little knowledge is a atrocious thing. 2) Wonder is the daughter of ignorance. 3) Look before you leap. 4) Like a dows e to water. 5) Like father like son.4. Conclusion Idioms are a very important part of any language. So necessary knowledge of cultural differences is indispensable to the translation of idioms. Each idiom bears an image and a figurative meaning. When we are translating an idiom, its a basic requirement that we should remain its figurative meaning. For the translator, he must have a good command of English and Chinese language and cultures.References1 20022 4 20063 20094 20095