中西文化差異與漢語成語翻譯策略 West-East Cultural Differences and Translation Strategies of Chinese Idioms

1、West-East Cultural Differences and Translation Strategies of Chinese Idioms中西文化差異與漢語成語翻譯策略1. DIRECTIONS FOR LEARNERS1) Analyze the data in no less than 1,000 words by using one or some of the methods recommended in Step 2 and Step 3 of Stage 7 in Writing Your BA Paper Through Practical Tra

2、nslation Project Design. The analysis should be based on the examples from the data, or no less than 3 samples from each category of the data.2) The heading for this section has been given. You may decide on your own subheadings if there are any.3) Insert your analysis of the data in paragraphs, tab

3、les, diagrams or listings in the space below.4. Data Analysis The translation of Chinese idioms is vital in inter-cultural communications between China and western countries, as stated in the former part of the paper(1.1); and east-west cultural differences are among the largest barriers of Chinese

4、idioms translation. This research aims to discuss east-west cultural differences and translation strategies of Chinese idioms; so that to provide some method and suggestions for Chinese idioms translation. In this part of the paper, the researcher will analyze east-west cultural differences as well

5、as translation strategies of Chinese idioms.4.1What is cultural difference? There are many meanings of the word “culture”. Sometimes, we say that people who know about music, art, and literature are cultured. However, for anthropologist, the word “culture” has a different meaning. To an anthrop

6、ologist the word “culture” means all the ways that a group of people think, feel, art, and dress. The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English gives such an explanation of culture: the customs, beliefs, art, music, and all the other products of human thought made by a particular group of people at

7、 a particular time.Different nations hold different cultures. For instance, “full moon” symbolizes jubilation and reunion in China, and “a bright moon in the sky” makes people feel quiet and at leisure. Ideas of beauty differ from one culture to another. For example, the Flathead Indian of North Ame

8、rica used to bind the heads of babies between boards so they would have long sloping foreheads. In the Flathead culture, long sloping foreheads were beautiful. Other cultures might think that they are strange-looking and unattractive. For another example, when people die, different cultures deal wit

9、h their bodies in different ways. Sometimes bodies are buried. Sometimes bodies are buried under the ground. In many cultures in the past, people were buried with food, weapons, and other things that might be useful in the next life. For instance, the ancient Egyptians buried people with little huma

10、n figures which were from clay. This clay figures were intended to work the death person in the other world.From these examples, we can see that cultures are quite different from one country to another. It is brief that different people do the same things or consider the same things in different way

11、s.There are many factors underlying in cultural differences, the researcher will do further research about these factors later in the paper. 4.2 The analysis of east-west cultural differencesThere are obvious cultural differences between Chinese and English culture, but the differences can be overca

12、me in inter-cultural communications. Having knowledge of the factors about the differences would help people understand the both language better, so as to perform better in inter-cultural communications. This research has chosen four main factors of east-west cultural differencesgeographic factors,

13、historical factors, religious factors, social customs factors. In the following, the research will discuss these four factors respectively. 4.2.1 Geographic factors in C- E cultural differencesPeople in different countries live in different geographic areas, thus different cultures were formed in th

14、e process of laboring and struggling with nature. A certain culture exists in a certain terrain; inevitably, it reflects the natural and geographic features of that area. For that reason, when people use natural sights or objects to express themselves, there would be obvious differences. Besides, pe

15、ople in different cultures have different attitude toward different natural phenomena, which was relevant to their living conditions, so the things people praise and the things they flog are quite different. There are some examples. In Chinese, 有眼不識泰山(Tai Mountain) was used to describe people who ar

16、e short-sighted and not able to recognize posted people. This is because in ancient China people regarded Tai Mountain as a symbol of high mountains; and people use the phrase 泰山(Tai Mountain) as simile to describe people who are respectful or things that are significant. From this point of view, di

17、fferent geographic conditions of Britain and China determine their differences in culture. One of the most typical examples to see this difference is the west wind. As located in a temperate zone in the western hemisphere and surrounded by ocean, the climate in Britain is mild. Every April, the warm

18、 current of the Atlantic brings Britain warm and genial west wind. And in English culture, west wind symbolizes the arrival of spring; so that in English literature works, west wind was used to express good things. In John Mansfields Ode to the west wind, the author wrote: its the warm wind, the wes

19、t wind, full of birds cries; I never hear the west wind but tears are in my eyes. On the opposite, most area of China is under semi-tropical climate, west wind means cold and desolation. So idioms relevant to west wind in Chinese are marble, like西風掃落葉. China has long been an agricultural country; it

20、s people has created a lot of idioms related to agriculture, such as 春華秋實，滄海桑田, etc.4.2.2 Historical factors in C-E cultural differencesApart from geographic factors, historical factors are also important. A certain culture was formed through a nations history, so when discussing cultural difference

21、s, historical factors can not be ignored. Both China and Britain have long histories. All through the long history, Chinese people define themselves as the descendants of "Yandi and Huangdi Emperors", the "Dragon” and the "Cathay" so an idiom was created as 炎黃子孫. For the pas

22、t thousands of years, Chinese people have went through uncountable wars, and a lot of stories about the wars were left. Thus, many phrases relevant to war were created, such as 烽火連營、唱空城計、敗走麥城,etc. China had been a feudalistic country for thousands of years in history, its people suffered a lot under

23、 the rigorous feudal dominion and were exploited by the dominion class. There are a lot of idioms to describe peoples life of that time, such as苛政猛于虎、八字衙門兩邊開, 有理無錢莫進來. The Great Britain also has a long history of being ruled by pope and emperor, so in English there are expressions as the king and th

24、e pope, the lion and the wolf. Idioms derived from wars are not unique in Chinese. After Napoléon Bonaparte failed in the famous Waterloo Battle, and was jailed in Waterloo, an English idiom to meet ones Waterloo was used to express failure. And in America, the Watergate Affair, which led to Pr

25、esident Nixons step down, has been a part of history. Watergate has not only been the name of a building since then, it also stands for an important event in America history and has been integrated in American culture. The historical value of a certain culture is unique, people should pay special at

26、tention to it when involving in inter-cultural communications. 4.2.3 Religious factors in C-E cultural differencesReligious belief is one aspect of peoples thought, and has great influences on culture. In many western countries, especially in English-speaking countries, people believe in Christianit

27、y. They believe that god is all mighty. Many expressions related to their belief were formed. For example, nature does nothing in vain(無所不能), God helps those who help themselves(天助自助者), etc. Besides, the Bible has deeply affected western culture. People tell stories from Bible; some idioms were deri

28、ved from Bible, such as the forbidden fruit; people even name one body part as Adams apple. Chinese culture, on the other hand, was influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, as well as Taoist. Idioms like 借花獻佛, 立地成佛 reflects Buddhism; while 樂極生悲 is derived from Taoist; and 平安是福 is from Confucianism. The

29、 Han nationality of China mainly worship Buddhism; so when Chinese people intend to seek protection, they may say “菩薩保佑”. Religion is a complex factor in inter-cultural activities; but it can not be ignored for its deep influence on cultures.4.2.4 Social custom factors in C-E cultural differencesSoc

30、ial customs are also important factors in C-E cultural differences. As stated in Rationale (2.2.4), social customs bring national emotions to a country. Social customs embody a nations history and value. Countries with different social customs have different value and different national emotion. Wha

31、t is national emotion as we mentioned? Generally speaking, it is what people like and dislike within a country. Taking China and English-speaking countries for example, in China, horse is regarded as loyal and patient, which accords with Chinese culture, so Chinese people treat horses as friends. Th

32、ere are many favorable idioms related to horse, for instance, 馬到成功、馬首是瞻，etc. Dog is a low-down animal in Chinese culture, so idioms relevant to dog are derogatory, such as狗急跳墻、狗仗人勢、狗嘴吐不出象牙，etc. To the contrary, English people regard dogs as faithful friends for human beings, so English idioms relate

33、d to dog are positive. For example, when they say someone is lucky, they would use a lucky dog. However, idioms relevant to horse are not always good; pay for a dead horse means waste money. And people holding different social customs behave quite differently. For example, a Chinese would introduce

34、his wife as “愛人”, which can be translated as lover in English. However, lover means whom somebody has an affair with, which is completely different from its Chinese translation. Cultural differences affect C-E inter-cultural communications in many ways. This research chooses its influences on Chines

35、e idioms translation as research objective.4.3 influences cultural differences have on Chinese idioms translationThis paper will focus on two major influences cultural differences have on Chinese idioms translation. One is that cultural differences affect translating of Chinese idioms which are rela

36、ted to plant and animals. The other is that cultural differences affect translating of Chinese idioms which are related to colors. 4.3.1 Cultural differences affect translation of Chinese idioms which are relevant to plant and animalsDue to social material、religious and cultural differences between

37、different countries, people experience their life from different angle and in different way. For this reason, people in different countries would see the same thing with completely different view. The research has selected some typical examples to demonstrate this point. In China, the word “龍” has s

38、ymbolized power for thousands of years in Chinese culture. 龍 holds such a high position in Chinese culture that the emperors of ancient China defined themselves as 真龍?zhí)熳? However in English culture, dragon is a favorable symbol. In Bible, the devil was called the great dragon. And saints regarded peo

39、ple who killed dragon as heroes. In modern English, dragon refers to mob and cruel people. In order to accord with English culture, the phrase 亞洲四小龍 was translated as Four Tigers in Asia. Another typical example is dog. English people view dogs as faithful friends while Chinese people see dog as low

40、-down animal. Thus, idioms relevant to dogs may be quite different. English idioms like a lucky dog and every dog has its day have positive meaning. But such Chinese idioms mostly contain negative meanings, such as 狼心狗肺, 狗仗人勢.Similarly, idioms related to plants are also with different meaning. In Ch

41、inese, people call those who are dull “呆瓜”; While vegetable is used in English under the same situation. Chinese people have special favor on 松、竹、梅; so there are many idioms related to these words, such as青梅竹馬、雨后春筍、松鶴延年、胸有成竹、梅妻鶴子. Western people like roses very much; so that English idioms relevant

42、to roses mostly express good will; In example 32, roses all the way means all lucky, and should be translated as “一切順利” instead of “滿地玫瑰”.Because of these differences, translators should pay special attention when translating idioms related to the words which have different meanings in Chinese and E

43、nglish cultures. 4.3.2 Cultural differences affect translation of Chinese idioms which are relevant to colorsVocabulary of colors is widely used both in Chinese and in English. In Chinese, the vocabulary of colors we mostly used are 赤橙黃綠青藍紫, while in English the words mostly used are black, red, yel

44、low, green, blue, brown, purple, pink, orange and grey. However, in many cases, translators can not simply use the counterparts in English when translating. As in example 32, the correct translation for Chinese phrase 紅茶 is black tea instead of red tea. The underlying meaning of “黃色” in Chinese is p

45、ornographic and obscene. But in English, it is the word blue which does have such meaning. So in example 33, the translation for “黃色玩笑” is blue jokes . In example 34, “戴綠帽子” means ones wife has an affair; so it can not be translated as to wear a green hat, or the target English readers would not get

46、 the underlying meaning of “綠帽子”. The correct translation should be to be a cuckold. Chinese people like to use “鐵青” to describe someones angrily facial expression while people in English culture use black. In example 35, “臉色鐵青” can be translated as black in the face.This research only chose some ex

47、amples to demonstrate the points. More idioms would be come across when doing translating work. Translators should pay special attention on the problems discussed above. Having discussed the differences between Chinese culture and English culture, as well as how these differences would affect transl

48、ation of Chinese idioms, the researcher will do further research on strategies of Chinese idioms in the following.4.4 Strategies of Translating Chinese IdiomsIn this paper, the researcher will focus on five different strategies of Chinese Idioms translation. They are: metaphrase, the method of borro

49、wing English idioms, free translation, the method of metaphrase combined with free translation and using notes respectively. 4.4.1 MetaphraseMetaphrase is the method that translating Chinese idioms directly into English. It is able to keep the meaning, form and grammatical structure of the source la

50、nguage when using this method. However, Metaphrase does not mean translate the source idioms word by word. It means the translator could translate the idioms according to their surface meaning and no more explanation is needed. As in example 1, the Chinese idiom “君子協(xié)定” can be divided into two parts:

51、 “君子” and “協(xié)定”. Their counterparts in English are gentleman and agreement, which well expressed the source phrases; so when translating “君子協(xié)定”, translators could adopt the method of Metaphrase and translate the source idiom as gentlemans agreement. In example 2, the Chinese idiom “火上加油” is translate

52、d as “pouring oil on the flame”. The translation not only completely transfers the meaning of the source idiom, but also keeps the associated visual image. As for example3, “載歌載舞” means singing and dancing exactly, translators can translated it as simple as singing and dancing. And the idiom in exam

53、ple4 is “一心一意”. In Chinese culture, people used to express their love by saying “我是一心一意的愛你”, which means “ you are the only one” or “ I love you with my whole heart”. So that“一心一意” can be translated as “ whole heartedly”.Using the method of Metaphrase, the translator should obey several rules. The f

54、irst one is that the translation should transfer the message from the source text completely. The second is that the translation must accord with the characteristics of the target language. The last but not the least, the translation should not bring incorrect imagination to readers.4.4.2 The method

55、 of borrowing English idiomsBoth Chinese and English have a lot of idioms. Some Chinese idioms and English idioms have the similar meaning and form. Then translators can borrow the similar idioms from English when translating Chinese idioms. The research has summed up four different kinds of idioms

56、that can be translated with the method of borrowing English idioms.Firstly, some Chinese idioms and English idioms have similar meaning or underlying meaning, and they also have similar image or metaphor, then the method of borrowing English idioms can be used. In example 5, the Chinese idiom “破釜沉舟”

57、 and the English idiom burn ones boat have the same underlying meaning. So that when translating “破釜沉舟”, translators could borrowing the English idiom burn ones boat. In example 6, the idiom “隔墻有耳” and its translation walls have ears not only have the same metaphor meaning, but also have similar ima

58、ge; In example 7, the Chinese idiom “一帆風順” is mostly used when wishing someone luck and safe. The English idiom plain sailing has the same function and can be borrowed as the translation of “一帆風順”.Secondly, some Chinese idioms and English idioms do not have the same image, but they do have the same

59、metaphor meaning. Translators can also use the method of borrowing English idioms when coming across these idioms. As in example 8, the Chinese idiom “曇花一現(xiàn)” means very short time, which is the same with a flash in the pan. So that “曇花一現(xiàn)” can be translated as a flash in the pan. Similarly, in example 9, the Chinese idiom “山窮水盡” is used to describe a hopeless situation. The English idiom At the end of ones rope also means somebody has d