ABSTRACT

Idioms are generally regarded as the essence of language, deposit of culture, and crystallization of human wit and wisdom. They are always rich in cultural connotation and national flavor. With conciseness in form, abundance and vividness in meaning, idioms are popular among people. However the merits of idioms also bring about difficulties in their translation.  In essence, translation of idioms is a kind of intercultural communication.  

The difficulty of idiom translation results from following several factors. First, there are many divergences between languages and cultures; second, the words in an idiom usually have the figurative meaning; third, there exists a gap between Chinese culture and western culture. Therefore, in the process of translating idioms, differences between different cultures should be taken into account. In this paper idiom translation between English and Chinese is studied from the cultural perspective.

Foreignization and Domestication are the two principles for translation. Foreignization brings the linguistic and cultural difference of the foreign text to the readers. Domestication is a strategy that aims to minimize the strangeness of foreign text for target language readers. The tactics of literal translation, literal translation with notes, free translation, free translation with notes and their combination can be used in idiom translation according to the particular cases. It is expected that those tactics would provide some constructive clues for idiom translation.

Key words：culture; idiom translation; domestication; foreignization

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-2

2.1 Definitions of English Idioms-2

2.2 Categories of English Idioms-2

   2.2.1 Set phrases-3

   2.2.2 Proverbs-3

   2.2.3 Slang-3

2.3 Characteristics of Idioms-3

   2.3.1 Opacity-3

   2.3.2 Popularity-4

   2.3.3 Stability-4

Chapter Three  Language,Culture and Translation-5

3.1 The relationship between Language and Culture-5

3.2 The relationship between Culture and translation-5

3.3 Cultural factors Causing Breakdown in Idiom Translation-6

   3.3.1 Differences in the Living environment-6

   3.3.2 Differences in social Customs-6

  3.3.2.1 Idioms with Animal Words-6

  3.3.2.2 Idioms with Color Words-7

   3.3.3 Differences in Religious Beliefs-7

   3.3.4 Differences in Historical Culture-7

  3.3.4.1 Historical Events-7

  3.3.4.2 Mythologies and Fables-8

  3.3.4.3 Literature Works-8

   3.3.5 Modes of thinking-8

Chapter Four  Strategies for Translation: Domestication and  Foreignization -9

4.1 Domestication and Foreignization-9

4.2 Nida and Domestication-10

   4.2.1 Nida’s Advocacy of Domesticating Translation-10

   4.2.2 Theoretical Bases of Domestication-10

4.3 Venuti and Foreignization-11

   4.3.1 Venuti’s Advocacy of Foreignizing Translation-11

   4.3.2 Theoretical Bases of Foreignization-11

4.4 Dialectical Relationship between Domestication and Foreignization-11

Chapter Five  Tactics For Translating English Idiom-13

5.1 Literal Translation-13

5.2 Literal Translation with Note-14

5.3 Free Translation-14

5.4 Free Translation with Note-15

5.5 Combination of Literal and Free Translation-15

Conclusion-17

REFERENCES...18