Brief Analysis of the Translation of English Idioms

1、浅析英语成语的翻译摘要：英语成语的翻译大多是翻译工作中的难点。而大多数英语成语寓意深刻，很难从字面上看出其真实含义，我们只有更多地了解成语的出处，了解民族的历史地理、风土人情、文化背景等知识，才能正确地理解和翻译英语成语。同时还要注意译文的感情对等和文体格式与原文一致。关键词：英语成语；出处；翻译方法；感情对等；文体格式。brief analysis of the translation of english idiomsabstract: the translation of english idioms always be the difficult part in translation

2、. and many english idioms are pregnant with meanings and it is arduous to see theirs true meanings literally. therefore, only to learn more about the origin of idioms, understand the nations history and geography, customs and cultural backgrounds, can we correctly understand and translate english id

3、ioms. meanwhile, we should notice the emotional equivalence and literary format. key words: english idioms; origins; translation methods；emotional equivalence； literary format.translation plays an important and intermediate role in cultural exchange. translation is not only the conversion of languag

4、es, but also a cultural exchange. idiom is a unique and fixed mode of expression in the forming process of a certain voice , also a special phrase or sentence. that time-honored and significant languages usually include a large amount of idioms , such as chinese and english. after a long-term social

5、 practice , the refined phrases an sentences in the course of language development , are the essences of language . from the perspective of cultural linguistics, the translation should be clear enough to make readers understand easily with natural and tripping expression, and cannot be produced blur

6、ring or ambiguity. and seeing from the angel of cultural differences between chinese and western , the diversities in perception, custom and convention urged original translator must make corresponding adjustments in order to enable readers to easily accept the translation. for this reason, translat

7、or should equip with the capability to cope with the transformation from source language to target language , namely the process from alienation to domestication. while in this paper , i am in search of the understanding of idioms translation and their formation and development. idiom is a kind of f

8、igurative language, best suited to an analogy of things. to illustrate one thing or the metaphor, people tend to use a bunch of words to do an abstract description or picture, but if we can appropriately spend one or two idioms, you can easily comprehended along with the crucial point be brought out

9、 and put the significance of expression to convey only in a handful of words so that people felt incisive, thorough and impressive. some idioms are understandable and fluent and we can gain their meanings literally, for example , walls have eyes and to kick a man when he is down. but there are plent

10、iful idioms of implied meanings obscure, for example , a new broom sweeps clean , speak of the devil and he will appear , everybodys business is nobody s business, a straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe, the moon is not seen when the sun shines and that sort of stuff . however , common dict

11、ionary do not explain the origins of idioms, but only give some commentaries or translation , without the understandings of the nations history, geography, customs, and cultural background knowledge, it will be difficult to correctly understand the original meaning, not to mention the on the appropr

12、iate translation.1. the origins of the english idiomsidioms have a long historical standing. the english idioms include a variety of allusions as same as the chinese idioms. some came from fables, some came from mythologies and legends. only realize the origins of idioms , translator could make the

13、most suitable translation version in accordance with the style of both english and chinese recognized. generally speaking , english idioms can be divided into the following several kinds of origins:1.1 the idioms derived from myths , religious believes and allegoriestheprecious cultural heritages .

14、we can take a example :in the seventh heaven most of us could easily understand it associate with concerts of go up into heaven and death. this situation caused by the misunderstanding of just acquired the literally meaning. in fact , this idiom is related to religion, the seventh heaven means the h

15、ighest level which god and angels lived . it is namely said a human being could live with god and naturally felt very pleasant . therefore, this idiom means in high spirits. 1.2 the idioms from the stories of historical figures and historical events . as the example below:have an axe to grind have a

16、n axe to grind does not mean someone grind something by axe. its really meaning is have ulterior motives , have a hidden purpose , to harbor dark designs, or to nurse evil intentions. the idiom came from one story about benjamin franklin, america famous inventor , writer and politician. when he was

17、at a young age on one day , a person came to franklins home and he want use franklins father s grinding wheel to burnish his axe. the man went before franklin and said some words of praise. then asked the little franklin how to make the machine rolling up and the little boy taught him in praise. the

18、 man grinded his axe through said much admired words to encourage the boy to shake the machine laboriously. the hard shake made him have several blisters on his hands. when the tough work finished , the man just ignore the boy s painstaking and his blisters. actually, the man just want sharpen his a

19、xe , his praises were the ways to do the job without his own effort. later, according to the story, people would use the expression “have an axe to grind ” as a metaphor of a person with ulterior motives and the hidden purpose. 1.3 the idioms from the local customs. for example:a bed of rosea bed of

20、 rose does not mean a real bed with rose on it literally. the true meaning is that to ones hearts content and lead a happy and comfortable live. since ancient times, rose was seen as particularly noble in westernerseyes. ancient roman used to sprinkle rose petals in order to show off his luxurious a

21、nd extravagant life with a enviable destiny. so thats the origin of the idiom. 1.4 the idioms derived from the literature works of every people in the world. admittedly, many brilliant literary works produced numerous idioms. there is a case as follows:eat the leek people would easily understand it

22、as purely eat the vegetableleek. while its implicit sense was bear the contempt, force to apologize or eat ones words. the idiom came from a play named king henry v written by william shakespeare. there are one episode described like this: an englander called pistol saw a welshman called fluellen wh

23、o have a leek in his hat and laughed at him: “are you insane? stay away from me! the smell is really repulsive.” naturally, fluellen beat pistol with a stick with indignant feeling. and then was compelled to eat the leek that he felt disgusting. according to the story in the play, eat the leek is a

24、metaphor of bear the humiliation. 1.5 the idioms stemmed from some habits of some animals. take a expression for example : bury one s head in the sand the meaning of bury one s head in the sand is that escape from reality, shut out reality, and avoid to meet somebody or something. the expression ori

25、ginated from a peculiar and amusing habit of ostrich: ostrich has a tall and strong body, and is particularly clever at walking. but it is said that when he was chased by hunters or fierce animal, he will not use his special skill but stupidly put head embed in the sand. the reason for he do that is

26、 his subconscious purpose only put the head into the sand so that he could not see the chaser equal the chaser will not catch a sight of him. the absurd thought made the foolish ostrich dead. therefore, bury one s head in the sand described people evade the reality when face with dangers and difficu

27、lties. 2. the translation of idioms2.1 in the beginning, translator should accurate understanding the english idioms. a good comprehension could give rise to a delicate and exact translation. we are ordinary divided the way of translation into two sorts in order to realize the idioms better: literal

28、 translation and free translation.a. literal translation. some english idioms are very simple so that we can obtain the meaning literally. for instances: keep ones distance, catch somebody in the act, call a halt, blood is thicker than water, and add fuel to the fire.also some idioms of allegories a

29、re obvious. we can translate them directly. for examples: swim against the stream, follow in somebodys footsteps, and skate on the thin ice. b. free translation. literal meaning and metaphorical meaning in some idioms are very different. only attach importance to the metaphorical meaning, the conten

30、t of original text could present well. for the idioms that metaphorical meaning are similar to the chinese idioms, we can adopt equivalent translation. such as:cast pearls before swine, tempest in a teapot, at the end of ones tether. and in the world of idioms, there is a large portion of idioms sho

31、uld translate through know the cultural knowledge deeply. these idiomscould not translate literally and freely. we adopt flexible translation: keep ones head above water, throw ones hat into the ring, a ninedays wonder. generally, idioms have name, address, or come from fables and historical stories

32、. so, we should know the background knowledge. for example: carry coals to newcastle means that do something unnecessarily. (newcastle is the most important coal production center) pay through the nose means that pay at a high cost. (in the 9th century, dane occupied ireland. under danes domination,

33、 everyone have to hand in tribute include the populace and the noble)2.2 furthermore, we should pay attention to corresponding on emotional and stylistic format in the translation of english idioms. a. translator must achieve the emotional equivalence between the original text and the translated one

34、. for instances:draw the longbow, curry favor, grasp the nettle. the first two idioms are commendatory. the last one is derogatory. we should present their meanings according to the whole context. besides the emotional factors, we should emphasize the consistency between one certain idiom with the s

35、tyle throughout the stuff. such as:i have almost forgotten what jacks like. i see him in a blue moon;the game was going smoothly until you threw a money wrench into the works by fussing about the rules. railway seems to be a proper rod but great caution and skill are necessary in the use of it or yo

36、u may happen to catch a tartar. the underlined part of the sentences should be translate coherent related to the context. b. think highly of the flexibility and diversity also was very crucial. firstly, comprehend the exact meaning of the idiom and then search the suitable to translate. for examples

37、:to be on tenterhooksshe was on tenterhooks when she heard of her mothers illness. at here, the idiom means worried.be nuts on the boy could read, write, and was nuts on figures. be buts on means be good at math.after ones own heartthis is a home after my own heart, small and yet dignified in appearance. after ones own heart means meet ones needs.only carry out th