商务英语毕业论文

商务英语毕业论文 编号: 目: Cultural Difference and Translation Between English and Chinese 院 系: 传媒与现代艺术学院 专 业: 商务英语 学生姓名: 许娟娟 成 绩: 指导教师: 闫 宇 2012年 4月 商丘工学院毕业论文 Abstract Idioms are the essence of a language, which have strong national colors and distinctive cultural connotations. So it is difficult for both English and Chinese readers to understand the idiom translation thoroughly and exactly. This thesis first analyzes the similarity of English and Chinese idioms from the aspect of rhetorical means, such as alliteration, rhyme, repetition, antithesis and so on. Then it probes into the causes of the differences in English and Chinese idioms from the aspects of different living circumstances, different cognitions of things, different religions and beliefs, and different historical allusions and myths, etc. After that, it talks about the three typical problems in English-Chinese idiom translation, such as interpreting the English idioms too literally, copying Chinese customary sayings mechanically, and lacking in necessary explanatory notes. Finally, it summarizes five idiom translation methods, -including literal translation with explanation, literal translation with association, transformation of meanings, application of Chinese couplet and equal consideration of both images and meanings. All the significance of this thesis is to convey the idioms? cultural information as much as possible, which is very useful for the language learning . Key Words: Idioms; Comparison ; Translation Cultural Difference and Translation Between English and Chinese Idioms Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................... I Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 ? The Similarity Between English and Chinese Idioms in Rhetorical Means .... 2 1.1 Alliteration ............................................................................................. 2 1.2 Rhyme ................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Repetition............................................................................................... 3 1.4 Antithesis ............................................................................................... 3 ? The Differences Between English and Chinese Idioms ................................ 4 2.1 Different Living Circumstances ............................................................... 4 2.2 Different Cognitions of ThingsBibliography............................................ 5 2.3 Different Religions and Beliefs……………………………………............6 2.4 Different Historical Allusions and Myths………………………………….7 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 9 Bibliography ......................................................................................................10 II 商丘工学院毕业论文 商丘工学院毕业论文 Introduction Idioms are the essence of a language, which are always philosophical and eternal. According to Oxford Advantaged Learner?s English-Chinese Dictionary, an idiom is “a phrase or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit”. “In the broad sense, idioms may include : set phrases; proverbs; sayings; epigrams; slang expressions; colloquialisms; quotations; two-part allegorical sayings, of which the first part ,always stated, is descriptive, while the second part , sometimes unstated, carries the message(chiefly in Chinese). While in Chinese, idioms are called as „熟语?,including:短语，成语(usually consisting of four words),俗语，谚语，格言，箴言，名言(quotation or recorded utterance ) ，警句，隽语，俚语，粗话，行话，歇后语(including pun),习语, etc.” However, the thesis will discuss English and Chinese idioms in a narrow sense, and only set phrases and proverbs will be under discussion. English idioms and Chinese idioms are gems of the two languages as well as the crystallization of the two national cultures. Most of idioms are of vivid images which are appropriately used to compare to other things, consequently, they often contain distinctive national and local colors. Some idioms have quite clear meanings, some are implicit and profound, which could cause a great deal of association, while others may include several meanings, which depend on the context to define its real indication. Both English and Chinese idioms are important rhetorical means in language as well as the assembled manifestations of different kinds of rhetorical means in itself. Many idioms have symmetrical forms, beautiful syllables and harmonious rhythms. All these features give rise to the particular difficulties in translation: it is more difficult to understand and more challenging to convey the cultural information clearly and exactly than the common language, however, in order to keep the translation faithful, these features should be preserved. Not only do idioms appear 1 Cultural Difference and Translation Between English and Chinese Idioms largely in literary works, but also in political and scientific thesis. The qualities of the idioms translation directly affect the whole translation. So it is essential to study the idioms and their methods of translation seriously. I The Similarity Between English and Chinese Idioms in Rhetorical Means 1.1 Alliteration “Alliteration is the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of two or more words in succession”, which sounds continual and is easy to read and to remember. Both English and Chinese idioms take full advantages of the means, so that they could be passed down from generation to generation. Let?s look at some examples. In Chinese there are “恍恍惚惚，红红火火,乒乒乓乓” ,etc. In English there are also “ as cool as a cucumber”(泰然自若), “as busy as a bee” (忙个不停), “tit for tat”(以牙还牙), “as thick as thieves” (非常亲密,要好), “sing a song of sixpence”, “ „part and parcel?(主要部分)， „might and main? (竭尽全力)”, “Money makes the mare go.” (有钱能使鬼推磨) , etc. Through the above examples, we may well see that both English and Chinese idioms are popular by this means. 1.2 Rhyme “Rhyme is the sameness of sound between words or syllable”, which sounds very beautiful. Some English and Chinese idioms use this method as well to achieve the acoustic enjoyment. For example: In Chinese, there are “从善如登，从恶如崩、不经一事，不长一智、差之毫厘， 缪以千里、失之东隅，收之桑榆”, etc. , which use the means of rhyme. In English, we also can find it in “ A friend in need is a friend indeed.” , “Beggars can?t be choosers.” , “East or west, home is the best.” , “Health is better than wealth.” , “ „as 2 商丘工学院毕业论文 snug as a bug in a rug? (舒舒服服)， „high and dry?(孤立无援), „by hook or by crook?(不择手段)” ,etc. Both English and Chinese idioms that use this rhetorical means are of tinkling and jingling sounds. Not only are they easy to remember, but also it seems that we are reading a beautiful short poem. 1.3 Repetition In rhetorical “repetition is a commonly seen rhetorical device, which usually repeats a sentence or part of sentence at both the beginning and end of long sentences, stanzas, or paragraphs. The main function of repetition is to emphasize the key points.” Both English and Chinese idioms use this method to achieve the emphatic effect. The examples are like the following: In Chinese, there are “喜气洋洋，多多益善，沾沾自喜，泱泱大风，姗姗来迟， 亭亭玉立，想入非非，落落大方，种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆”etc. In English, there are “measure for measure” (一报还一报), “ step by step” (循序渐进), “neck and neck” (并驾齐驱), “diamond cut diamond”(棋逢对手), “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”(以眼还眼，以牙还牙), “call a spade a spade” (直言不讳)，etc. Using the means of repetition makes the idioms have obviously emphatic object. Their meanings will be clear at a glance 1.4 Antithesis Antithesis is the deliberate arrangement of contrasting words or ideas in balanced structural forms to achieve force and emphasis. The form of the expression is very important for effect, for the force of the emphasis, whether for profundity of judgment, for humor or for satire, depends chiefly on the juxtaposition of direct opposites, of glaring contrasts.” Many idioms, both English and Chinese, adopt this device, too. The examples below illustrate the point: In Chinese, there are “大同小异，古往今来，冷嘲热讽，阴奉阳违，顾此失彼， 3 Cultural Difference and Translation Between English and Chinese Idioms 因小失大，小事明白，大事糊涂”，etc. In English, there are “far and near(四面八方), ups and downs(盛衰沉浮); sooner or later(迟早); more or less(或多或少) , penny wise, pound foolish(小事聪明,大事糊涂)”, etc. Though the idioms have only a few words, they contain much truth and philosophy in them by comparing two completely opposite things. Antithesis has played an important role in this aspect, which makes the readers have a lot of aftertaste while pondering over them. ? The Differences Between English and Chinese Idioms 2.1 Different Living Circumstances Idioms are closely related to people?s work and life. So the idioms have strong national colors. Britain is an island country on the Atlantic ocean, surrounded by the sea, which was once leading the world with its navigation, so lots of English idioms have something to do with navigation and fish. Such as: a drop in the ocean“沧海一 粟”; plain sailing “一帆风顺”between the devil and deep sea“进退维谷”; know the ropes“懂得秘诀”; go with the stream“随波逐流”; as close as an oyster“守口如瓶”; steer clear of all doubtful questions“避免一切暧昧的事情”; feel under the water“感 觉不适”. While “China is an agricultural country. The peasants have presented many idioms about farm work, such as „斩草除根? which is translated literally into „to cut the weeds and dig up the roots?, its figurative meaning is „to stamp out the source of the trouble?. More examples: „瑞雪兆丰年?(a timely snow promises a good harvest); „顺藤摸瓜? (its original meaning is to follow the vine to get the melon; its extended meaning is to track down somebody or something by following clues ); „捡了芝麻，丢了西瓜? (its original meaning is to pick up the sesame seeds, but overlook the watermelons; its extended meaning is „mindful of small matters to neglect of large ones? )”, etc. Typically speaking, English people use “spend money like water” to describe 4 商丘工学院毕业论文 someone who splashes money on something. While Chinese people say“挥金如土”. “However many idioms concerning boats and water cannot be given the same equivalents in Chinese, such as , to rest on one?s oars(暂时歇一歇), to keep one?s head above water(奋力图存)all at sea(不知所措)etc”. Due to the geographical and environmental factors, the bamboo shoots grow abundantly in China, thus, there are idioms concerning bamboo. On the contrary, bamboo doesn?t grow in British islands at all, even the word “bamboo” is a loan one, so that there is no English idioms in this aspect. For example, “the Chinese idiom „雨 后春笋?is translated into „spring up like mushrooms?” in English. “In Chinese culture, „east wind? is „the wind of spring?; summer is always connected with extremely hot or the intense heat, so „赤日炎炎似火烧? „骄阳似 火?are terms often used to describe summer. While Britain is located in western hemisphere, with north temperate zone and marine Climate, so „west wind? is the symbol of spring. The famous English poet Shirley?s „Ode to west wind? is a praising song of spring. Summer in Britain is a warm and comfortable season, which is usually linked with „lovely?, „gentle? and „nice?. Shakespeare compare thee to a summer in one of his poems, „shall I compare thee to a summer?s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate?” So different living surroundings may produce different idioms in different language and different culture. 2.2 Different Cognitions of Things Because of the differences between eastern and western cultures, people have greatly different cognitions of things, and this exerts a great influence on the differences of the outcome of both Chinese and English idioms. There are three kinds of basic colors: red, yellow and blue. Colors are cognized mainly through the seven kinds of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and purple in the spectrum. Due to the different countries? historical backgrounds, geographical locations, customs and traditions, people have diverse cognitions of colors, so the idioms rising under the conditions reflect such regional differences. 5 Cultural Difference and Translation Between English and Chinese Idioms Taking “red” and “white” for example, in western countries, red is regarded as brutality and unluckiness. Red means bleeding. So there appears some having derogatory and taboo color words, such as “red skin(对印第安人的鄙夷称呼)，red tape(繁文缛节，官僚习气),in the red(亏损),out of red(扭亏为盈), red alert (空袭、紧急警报), red cock(纵火引起的火灾), red cent(毫无价值的事物) etc.” [13] While in China, red means luck and joy. There are many Chinese idioms obviously having complimentary sense, such as开门红 (get off to have a good start), 红颜薄命 (a beautiful girl has an unfortunate life), 红运当头(have a good luck), 红 光满面 (in the pink), 红男绿女(gaily dressed young men and women), 红得发紫 (extremely popular), 红极一时(enjoy popularity for a time), 红装素裹(clad in white, adorned in red),etc. People in western countries look upon white as the symbol of purity, as well as some implications of racial discrimination. The westerners are white people who entrust extremely noble symbol to white. In English there are:white hat(好人)， white lies (善意的谎言)， white--headed boy(宠儿)，the white hope(带来 荣誉的人)，white slavery(逼良为娼——西方人认为白种人不能做奴隶)，etc. However it is different in China. In Chinese?s eyes, white stands for funeral and revolt, which has derogatory color. For example, there are白日做梦(indulge in wishful thinking), 白费口舌(waste one?s breath),一穷二白(poor and blank),白忙乎(in vain) , 白字连篇(reams of wrong characters), 白云苍狗(white clouds change into grey dogs-the changes in human affairs often take freakish forms)etc. 2.3 Different Religions and Beliefs Religion plays an important role in the development of the language. Different religions produce different idioms. Buddhism has been transmitted to China for more than one thousand years, which occupies the leading position in Chinese traditional religions. People believe there is a “Buddha” who can dominate the world and decide everyone?s destine. Many Chinese idioms come form Buddhism, such as “佛口蛇 心”、“佛头着粪”、“借花献佛”、“五体投地”、“一尘不染”、“现身说法”、“回头 6 商丘工学院毕业论文 是岸”、“在劫难逃”、“大慈大悲”etc. There are also proverbs coming from Buddhism. For example,“不看僧面看佛面”、 “闲时不烧香，临时抱佛脚”、“跑得了和尚跑不 了庙”、“泥菩萨过河，自身难保”、“放下屠刀，立地成佛”、“一个和尚挑水吃， 两个和尚抬水吃，三个和尚没水吃”etc. In western countries especially in Britain and America， people believe in Christianity. The Bible has been regarded the classical Christian scripture, which establishes a foundation of western countries? culture, art and ideology, Idioms concerning the Bible can be found everywhere. For example, “doubting Thomas”(怀疑的托马斯)is an idiom from the Bible now stands for “不肯轻易相信别人的人(people who will not believe in others easily)”. And The idiom “cast pearls before swine”(把珍珠丢在猪的面前) is also from the Bible: New Testament, and now it stands for“not to give the precious things to people who cannot really appreciate it (不要把珍贵的东西送给不识货的人)”or“not to play the lute to a cow (不要对牛弹琴)”. “Go to hell(下地狱去)”is a curse. Others are like “ „a lion in the way?, „Nobody is born learned, even bishops are made of men.?, „It?s better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.?, „Bad priests bring the devil into the church? „Judas kiss?, „a dead dog?, „ the apple of one?s eye?(掌上明珠) , „wash one?s hands of a thing?(洗手不干), etc.” Besides, there are many proverbs in English based on the metaphors and themes of God and demon. For example: Man proposes, God disposes(谋事在人,成事在天); God helps those who help themselves. (自助者必有天助。); Everyone for himself and the devil take the hindmost.(人不为己，天诛地灭。) 2.4 Different Historical Allusions and Myths There are lots of idioms coming from historical allusions, myths and legends. The structure of these idioms is very simple but they have profound meaning, so we can not translate and understand these idioms from the literal meaning. It?s necessary for us to learn and understand the English allusion and myths as well as the Chinese allusions and myths. It?s useful to learn about the origin and development of English and Chinese language and culture. For example“东施效颦”it is from《庄子?天运》and 7 Cultural Difference and Translation Between English and Chinese Idioms now it means imitating somebody stupidly. “名落孙山”it refers to a person who fail in the exam and is not enrolled.“叶公好龙”means a person who professed love of what one really fears. Other allegorical stories like“守株待兔”、“愚公移山”、“黔驴 技穷”、“刻舟求剑”are often quoted and widely loved by Chinese people. The ancient myths and legends also produce lots of idioms. In Chinese, such set phrases as“嫦娥 奔月”、“夸父追月”、“画龙点睛”“精卫填海”、“女祸补天”are all pieces of beautiful and touching myths. The proverbs “天冷不冻织女手，饥荒不饿苦耕人”and“雷公先 唱歌，有雨也不多”contain the legendary characters. While English traditional culture is deeply associated with the Greek Roman Myth. For instance, the Trojan Horse(特 洛伊木马), “Pandora?s Box”(潘多拉之盒，指灾难，麻烦，祸害的根源)”, Archilles? heel”(阿基里斯的脚后跟，指唯一致命弱点), “meet one?s waterloo”(一败涂地), Penelope?s web(铂涅罗铂的织物，指永远完不成的工作)， “crocodile?s tears” (鳄 鱼的眼泪), it is just like the Chinese idiom “猫哭老鼠假慈悲”etc. “There are also many set phrases based on the Greek Roman legends. For example: I fear the Greeks, even when bringing gifts(Greek gifts: 危险的礼物;糖衣 炮弹) . When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war. Homer sometimes nods.” 8 商丘工学院毕业论文 Conclusion Translation is not merely from one language to another, but also to introduce the cultural backgrounds, habits and customs, cultural traditions and others of the original, so is the translation of idioms which are rich in strong national and local colors, that is to say, we should always keep the target readers in mind when we are doing the translation. Therefore, it is not easy to translate one kind of language idioms. We should do more practices, pay more attention, accumulate more knowledge, consult the dictionaries for the unknown more often, and ask the experts for more advice at ordinary times, besides, we also have to do desultory reading of the Bible, The Fables of Aesop, Shakespeare?s plays, fairy tales and other classical masterpieces in western culture. In a word, when translating the idioms, we should keep faithful to the original, remaining the original idioms? vivid comparison, rich association, rhetorical effects, national and local colors, meanwhile, we should try our best to do the translation more vividly and more expressively. 9 Cultural Difference and Translation Between English and Chinese Idioms Bibliography [1] Edwin Gentler .Contemporary Translation theories.Shanghai; Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press,2004 [2] Foley, W. A. Anthropological Linguistics: An Introduction [M]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2001. [3] Kovecses, Z. Metaphor--A Practical Introduction [M]. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. [4] Lakoff, G. and M. Johnson. Metaphor We Live By [M]. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1980. [5] Leech, G. Semantics [M]. 2nd ed. Great Britain: The Chaucer Press, 1981. [6]Liu Jinding .Translation of Chinese and English Idioms 1995(9).P4 10