A Brief Survey on Cultural Implication of Idioms1

1、谚语的文化意蕴a brief survey on cultural implication of idiomsabstract: english proverbs are the gems of the english language. large in quantity, long in history and rich in cultural information, both english and chinese proverbs are deeply rooted in life. proverbs represent the social phenomenon and natur

2、al rules accurately with lively and plain words. as far as their underlying cultural information is concerned, some proverbs are completely or partial equivalent both in chinese and in english while some others have nothing in common at all. in order to convey their cultural information fully, faith

3、fully and effectively, we can translate these proverbs word for word, give notes or add extra words. this paper explores the cultural differences between chinese and english proverbs, discuss the influences of cultural differences on the proverbs and gives some specific approaches in translation of

4、chinese and english proverbs. key words: english proverbs; chinese proverbs; cultural; literal translation; free translation摘 要：英语谚语是英国人民智慧的结晶。英汉谚语源于生活，纷繁浩瀚，源远流长，文化信息异常丰富。谚语常用形象生动、浅显易懂的语言，准确地描述社会现象、自然法则，高度地阐述人文习俗、思想感情。由于受历史背景、地理环境、宗教信仰和生活习俗等方面文化差异的影响，英汉谚语中有些文化信息完全对应，有些部分对应，还有一些无任何对应的关系。为了形神兼备地传递其的文化

5、信息，在翻译谚语时，应当充分了解英汉谚语中所含的文化内涵，视具体情况，或英汉对译，或文外加注，或另添字词。本论文从多方面比较英汉谚语中所体现的文化差异，列举出在英汉谚语翻译中常见的方法，如直译,意译等。直译多适用于文化信息完全或部分对应的英汉谚语翻译，而意译多用于对应关系的谚语。关键词：英语谚语；汉语谚语；文化；直译；意译contentsabstractkey wordsintroduction.1part i. characteristics of english proverbs.2a. many eloquence characteristics.21. oral and concise

6、 words.22. syntax structure and rhythm.3 b. deep thought and moral.3c. bright ethnic and geographical characteristics.4part ii. cultural backgrounds of english proverbs4 a. traditional customs.5 1. dog5 2. bat.5 3. dragon.6 b. religion.6 1. christianity.6 2. bible.7 c. historical stories and literar

7、y works7part iii. translation methods of english proverbs.8 a. literal translation.9 b. free translation.10 c. substitution translation.11 d. combination of literal and free translation13conclusionwork citedintroductiona proverb is a beautiful gem of a language as well as crystallization of national

8、 culture. yet it is also one of the most difficult things to learn and use in a foreign language. english proverbs have many characteristics, such as religious structure, concise form, deep moral, bold image, unique geographical and ethnic characteristics. these characteristics make difficulties for

9、 us to translate english proverbs if we want to keep the original proverbs language form and taste.chinese and english both abound with proverbs, whoes succinct forms and profound meanings make themselves more condensed and expressive. cultural studies have currently be prevailing in the west. and t

10、alking about cultural studies has also become a fashion in the circle of present chinese cultural and academia, especially in the field of litreary theoary and criticism. accordingly, in the wide sphrere of translation studies, there are some scholars both at home and abroad who have tried to replac

11、e translation with cultural translation studies and intrepretation. translation is considered to be a cross-cultural communication, which concerns not only the transfer between languages, but also the transfer between the cultural. like other nations proverbs, english proverbs are the essence of eng

12、lish peoples wisdom. a well-translated english proverb can not only teach, enlighten and persuade people, but also can enrich our chinese language and culture. so it is necessary to study a nations proverbs when we try to study its language and culture a proverb is a beautiful gem of a language as w

13、ell as crystallization of national culture. yet it is also one of the most difficult things to learn and use in a foreign language. english proverbs have many characteristics, such as religious structure, concise form, deep moral, bold image, unique geographical and ethnic characteristics. these cha

14、racteristics make difficulties for us to translate english proverbs if we want to keep the original proverbs language form and taste.chinese and english both abound with proverbs, whoes succinct forms and profound meanings make themselves more condensed and expressive. moreover, because of the diffe

15、rences of religious beliefs，habits and customs，fables and myth，and culture and art，english proverbs and chinese proverbs carry on the different national cultural characteristics and information. if we do not know these cultural backgrounds, we cannot understand the english proverbs connotation and c

16、annot translate them precisely. to our chinese people with a little cultural knowledge about english, it is very difficult for us to understand and translate english proverbs. so when studying english, we should try to study its culture firstly.in order to present an adequate translation of a prover

17、b，we can use the four translation methods flexibly：literal translation，free translation，substitution translation，literal translation combined with free translationwhen translating, we should try to choose a proper translation method firstly. secondly, we should translate the proverbs connotation. me

18、anwhile, we should try to keep the original proverbs form.part i. characteristics of english proverbs english proverbs have the same characteristics like the other nations proverbs. they are produced orally by farmers, hunters, workers, sailors, housewives, etc, so they conclude british peoples expe

19、rience of fighting with the society and nature, and have the function of teaching, enlightening, and persuading people. english proverbs possess the following characteristics.a. many eloquence characteristics 1. oral and concise words we all know that english proverbs are produced by british working

20、 people orally, so the words of english proverbs are very concise and oral. when we translate them, we should try our best to keep the original proverbs oral characteristic. for example, “bad workmen quarrel with their tools.”拙工咎器. obviously, we can see that the translation is more formally, and it

21、will lose its oral characteristic. so the above one should be translated like this, “拙工常怨工具差” , which will be easier for people to recite. now we will give two kinds of translations of some english proverbs. from these translations, we can see that the second translation is more popular, and is easi

22、er for people to recite.1. waste not, want not.俭以防匮。（不浪费，不愁缺。）2. a good beginning makes a good ending. 欲善其终，必先善其始。（有了好的开始，才有好的结果。）3. a danger foreseen is half avoided.预见其患，则患不足惧。（预见了危险，就等于防备了一半。）2. syntax structure and rhythmmoreover, when we read proverbs, we will find that the syntax structure of

23、english proverbs is compact and symmetrical; and the rhythm is gentle and united. for example, “you may take a horse to the water, but you can not make it drink”. if we translate it like this, 你把马牵到河边去，但不能叫它饮水, it will lose the characteristics of concise words, symmetrical and compact syntax structu

24、re and gentle rhythm. so it is better for us to translate like this, 牵马河边易，逼马饮水难。(zhou 57) proverbs have the characteristics of concise and oral word, symmetrical and compact syntax structure and gentle rhythm. therefore, when we translate them, we should try our best to keep these characteristics.

25、only in this way, can the translation have the taste of proverb.b. deep thought and moral like other proverbs, english proverbs imply deep thought and moral. they usually express peoples noble thought, and they can teach, encourage, enlighten and persuade people, like peoples good friends and motto.

26、 for example:1. complacency is the enemy of study.学习的敌人是自己的满足。2.learning is better than house and land. 学富五车胜过万贯家财.3.a hedge between keeps friendship green.君子之交淡如水。4.all that glitters is not gold.闪亮的不一定都是金子。5.failure is the mother of success.失败是成功之母。6.fish and guests smell in three day. 鱼不过三日鲜，言不过三日

27、亲。7.knowledge makes humble, ignorance makes proud.博学使人谦虚，无知使人骄傲。8.a wise man thinks all that he says; a fool says that entire he thinks. 智者思其所言，愚者言其所思。9.pleasure comes through toil.苦尽甘来。10.no rose without a thorn.没有不带刺的玫瑰。c. bright ethnic and geographical characteristicsenglish proverbs are based en

28、glish cultural backgrounds. when we read english proverbs, we cannot stop to imagine the english history, geography, customs, politics, economy, etc. obviously, english proverbs have bright ethnic and geographical characteristics. therefore, when we translate this kind of proverbs, we should try our

29、 best to keep the original proverbs ethnic and geography characteristics. now we will take some proverbs as examples following with two kinds of translations. we can compare which one is better to keep the ethnic and geographical characteristics of proverbs. 1. talk of the devil and he is sure to ap

30、pear. 说到魔鬼，魔鬼就到。（说曹操，曹操到。） 2. two heads are better than one. 两个人的头脑总比一个的好。（三个丑皮匠顶个诸葛亮。） 3. beauty lies in lovers eyes. 情人眼里出美人。（情人眼里出西施。） 4. do not cross the bridge until you come to it. 船到桥头自然直。（不要杞人忧天。） 5. never offer to teach fish to swim. 不要教鱼儿游水。（不要班门弄斧。）we all know that “曹操 ，诸葛亮，西施，杞人，鲁班”are t

31、he unique people in chinese history. if we choose the second translation, our chinese people will make a misunderstanding that there are also曹操 ，诸葛亮，西施，杞人，鲁班 in britain. on the contrary, the first kind of translation implies the bright ethnic and geographical characteristics, and people can easily k

32、now that they are english proverbs but not chinese ones.(yan 72)part ii. cultural backgrounds of english proverbsproverbs are based a nations unique cultural backgrounds. human culture has much in common, but also has much in difference. the differences of the traditional customs, religions and hist

33、orical stories and some other literature works make proverbs have strong cultural characteristics.(lin 126) if we want to master a foreign language, we must know the specialty of the foreign countrys cultural backgrounds. in the following part, we will talk about the cultural backgrounds of english

34、proverbs: traditional customs, religion and historical stories and some other literature works, which will help us understand the english proverbs well, then translate them precisely and faithfully.a. traditional customsevery nation has its own traditional culture, in which its own traditional custo

35、ms, are different from others. for example, people from different nations have different feelings to the same animal.1. dogin china, although some people feed dogs, most people abhor and despite this kind of animal psychologically. they often compare dogs with bad people or some disgusted things. on

36、 the contrary, englishmen like dogs, because they think that dogs can hunt with them and look their homes. they regard dogs as their companions and pets. therefore, in many english proverbs, british people often compare dogs with people. (yang 179)for example:1.every dog has his day.风水轮流转。2.better b

37、e the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.宁为鸡头，勿为凤尾。3.give a dog a bad name and hang him! 欲加之罪,何患无辞。4.every dog has its day. 凡人皆有得意时。5.let the sleeping dog lie.别惹是生非。6.beware of a silent dog and still water.提防不吠的狗,小心静止的水。 7.dog does not eat dog.同类不相残。2. batin china, bat stands for “happiness”. bec

38、ause in chinese, the pronunciation of “蝠 ” is the same as “福”(happiness), chinese people think that bat is a lucky thing meaning happiness. on the contrary, bat stands for an unlucky thing in britain, which we can see from many english proverbs. for example:1. as blind as a bat. 有眼无珠。2. go on a bat.

39、 酗酒胡闹。3. dragondragon is an imaginary animal with wings and claws, able to breathe out fire. in china, dragon is regarded as an auspicious deity standing for emperor. so chinese people adore it very much, and compare themselves with dragon, such as “龙的传人” and “望子成龙”. but in british mythology, dragon

40、 is a fierce and cruel animal with four feet, which is a synonym of evil. so dragon is a derogatory sense in britain.if you call a woman a dragon，you mean that she is fierce and unpleasant. (zhou 83). for example, 1.to sow dragons teeth播下不和的种子2.to chase the dragon. 服用鸦片海洛因b. religion1. christianityw

41、e all know that buddhism has great influence on chinese culture. so there are many chinese proverbs referring to buddhism, for example, “放下屠刀，立地成佛” and “不念僧面念佛面” however, britain is a nation which is influenced deeply by christianity. there are many english proverbs referring to god, heaven, devil,

42、hell, etc. for example: 1. each cross hath its own inscription. 每个十字架都有自己的铭文。2. god helps those who help themselves. 自助者，神助之。3.whom the gods love die young. 上帝的宠儿早夭折。4.man proposes, god disposes. 谋事在人,成事在天。4.god sends meat and the devil sends cooks.上帝赐给食物，魔鬼派来厨师。2. biblewe all know that bible is a b

43、ook referring to christianity, and it is also an essential book in every english family. even though in a small poor village, you will find that there is a bible in every farmers austere house. obviously, bible has controlled english peoples spirit and every aspect of their life, which has been refl

44、ected in many english proverbs. for example, jesuss guidance “, if some people have hit your right face, also lets him the left face hit”, all sharing, “, so long as knows wrong, main will forgive you”, but will also have are many i to think that is unable the thing which understood, adam eve steals

45、 the pardoned crime which the food forbidden fruit will violate, the pardoned crime is what? knows has the desire ashamed? if does not have the satan enticement, they will be will continue in the garden of eden joyful life? what except carefree also has in theirs life? hungry must eat thing this not

46、 is also the person most primitive desire? between the desire and the desire also has the difference? why is it the crime? there are many english proverbs coming from bible. for example:1.cast not the first stone. 欲责他人,先思己过。 2.the love of money is the root of all evil. 爱财为万恶之源。3.sell ones birthright

47、 for a mess of pottages.因小失大；见利弃义。4.the writing/finger on the wall.不详之兆；大祸临头。bible has figured many people with vivid individuality. now, we know that bible plays an important part in british peoples life. if we do not know the literature illusions and proverbs from bible, we cannot study english we

48、ll. so, if you want to translate vividly and concisely, please read bible！it will give you great help.c. literary works and historical stories we all know that every nation has its own culture and history, so every nation has its own unique literature works. in china, confucianism and taoism influen

49、ce people greatly. however, in britain, people are influenced greatly by greece fables, aesops fables and some other literature works, such as shakespeares works, and many proverbs are originated from them. therefore, if we do not know these historical stories well, we cannot translate precisely. fo

50、r example: lion has fallen in love with farmers daughter , has made a proposal to her. the farmer cannot bear to betroth the daughter to allotment a wild beast, but fear that lion , a period of time have no way to decline , thereupon, he has a brainwave when in danger , hits upon an idea. otherwise

51、but he just says when lion comes to ask a farmer once again, he thinks that lion marries self daughter very suitable, lion must draw out first getting rid of a tooth , chop away a talon, can not marry the daughter to him, because of the girl is fear of these things.the lion is blinded by inordinate

52、ambition , the color gets lost capacity for clear thinking , the request having accepted a farmer very effortlessly. herefrom, that farmer looks down on right away the lion, is fear of him not in the least. the farmer uses rod to beat him right away when the lion comes again, him is tied up.this sto

53、ry explained that, some people easily believed others speech,abandons the oneself unique strong point, finally, easily original isfeared they the person to defeat. there are many proverbs of this kind. the following are as examples, 1. uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. 位高心不宁。it is originated

54、from shakespeares famous play- henry.2. he has burnt his bridges behind him. 破釜沉舟，背水一战。it is originated from a historical story in roman.3. happy is the man who learnt from the misfortunes of others.前车之鉴，后人之福。it is originated from aesops fables4. when greeks meet greeks, then comes the tug of war. 两

55、雄相争，其争必烈。it is originated from greece fables.5. do not change horse in the middle stream. 河中莫换马，临阵莫换将。it is originated from a historical story in england.6. practice makes perfect. 熟能生巧。it is originated from english poet, christopher anstey.7. curiosity killed the cat. 多一事不如少一事。it is originated from

56、 thomas gray, a famous english poet in 18th century. part iii. translation methods of english proverbs from the above discussion, we know that proverbs have bright cultural backgrounds and ethnic and geographical characteristics. if we do not master enough english cultural backgrounds, we cannot understand their true meanings and connotations. when we translate proverbs, we should first deal with