中英动物词语文化内涵的不同及翻译

1、Contents1 Introduction31.1 Literature Review31.2 Background and Significance42. Causes for Different Cultural Meanings of Chinese and English Animal Vocabulary52.1 Historical Culture52.2 Religion62.3 Customs72.4 Geographic and Natural Environment72.5 Aesthetic Preference83. Translating Methods of An

2、imal Words83.1 Literal translation83.2 Free Translation93.3 Substitution94. Meanings of Chinese and English Animal Words104.1 Same Animal Words Express the Same Meaning104.2 Same Animal Words Express the Different Meanings105. Conclusion10References:11Different Cultural Connotations and Translation

3、of Chinese and English Animal Vocabulary中英动物词语文化内涵的不同及翻译Abstract The Chinese culture shares both similarities and differences with culture in other countries. As culture is a part of a country, it can be reflected in peoples life, and also in the vocabulary people use. In our daily conversation, we

4、use different words and phrases to describe a phenomenon or an object. Due to the fact that the vocabulary we use is influenced by the culture we live in, therefore culture has become a dominating element in our daily life. Chinese and English animal vocabulary has their same interpretation from the

5、 perspective of culture, but they also have different cultural meanings. Meanwhile, even for the same object, Chinese and English may have different translations. In some way, it can be said that the cultural differences have led to different translations of animal vocabulary. This paper aims at exp

6、loring the different cultural meanings of Chinese and English animal vocabulary from several aspects, namely historical culture, religion, customs and other angles, with the listed three aspects as its main perspectives. At the same time, this paper will also take examples to illustrate the translat

7、ions of Chinese and English animal vocabulary. Then it will try to discuss the meanings of Chinese and English animal vocabulary from the perspective of culture and its related aspects. Finally, it will come to the conclusion that due to the disparities in historical culture, religion, customs and o

8、ther various aspects, Chinese and English animal vocabulary may have different cultural meanings, so does their translations. Key words: culture, translation, animal vocabulary, differences, meanings摘要中国文化与其他国家的文化既有相似点，又有不同点。由于文化是一个国家的组成部分，因此其能在人们的生活，以及人们所使用的词汇中体现。在我们的日常交际中，我们使用不同的词汇和词组，来描述一个现象或一件事物

9、。由于从事实上而言，人们使用的词汇是受所处文化的影响，因而文化已经成为我们日常生活中的一个主导因素。中英动物词汇，从文化这个角度而言，拥有相同的解释，但它们也有不同的文化内涵。同时，即便是修饰同一件事物，中文和英语可能会有不同的翻译。从某个角度可以说，文化的差异导致了动物词汇的不同译法。本篇论文旨在从多个角度探讨中英动物词汇不同的文化含义，即历史文化、宗教、风俗，以及其他次要角度，而上述三个角度为此论文的主要切入点。与此同时，本篇论文还将列举实例，以说明中英动物词汇的翻译。然后本文将从文化和相关的角度讨论中英动物词汇的含义。最终，本文将得出结论，由于历史文化、宗教、风俗，已经其他方面的差异，中

10、英动物词汇有不同的文化含义和翻译。关键词：文化、翻译、动物词汇、差异、内涵1 IntroductionThe language vocabulary is the most obvious cultural and information carriers, a variety of cultural features in the vocabulary of the language. Differences in different cultures, animal words were given a variety of strong ethnic and cultural chara

11、cteristics and it has far-reaching social and historical origins. The cultural connotation of Animal Words in English and Chinese are very different, reflecting the cultural background of their respective groups. The words constitute the most fundamental and active elements of language, reflecting t

12、he state of development of the language. Lexical meaning marks the breadth and depth of understanding the objective world, but also cultural influences and constraints people in their respective groups. Both English and Chinese is well-developed languages, their respective vocabulary is very rich an

13、d animal-related vocabulary has a large amount. Animal vocabulary refers to words representing animals and includes words, phrases and idioms. These words are not only the image of the performance of a certain quality, character; they also can succinctly describe certain events and convey a certain

14、mood. In daily life, due to the wealth of expression, Animal Words are often been used to express their feelings, and to enrich their own language has been incorporated into the languages of all ethnic groups, which are accepted and widely used by people. Both English and Chinese languages, usually

15、this phenomenon will happen, that is, they are identical in terms of the conceptual meaning of an animal (referential meaning), but their cultural connotations have significant differences, conflicting or even opposite. English-Chinese nations living in different cultural background for a long-term,

16、 naturally the same animal words may have different associations. The different cultural background gives the animal word rich cultural connotation. 1.1 Literature ReviewUntil now, both researchers at home and abroad have done on this topic. Feng Jianming and Yu Lianshui (2009) hold the opinion that

17、 language is the embodiment of a national spirit, and attributable to a specific culture. Due to the different social, religious, and cultural backgrounds, the Easterners and Westerners understanding of certain words and association are not the same. If the translator can not fully understand the so

18、urce language and target language, the two kinds of text of the true meaning of the words, then the true message of the source language will be difficult to be sent to the target language, and will thus lead to different cultural conflicts. Since language is a product of culture and the carrier of c

19、ulture, different cultures are bound to refraction in the language used by the different ethnic groups. With the social progress and development many animals become friends of people, and then was given some special meaning. Because China has many ethnic cultural backgrounds, traditions, psychologic

20、al differences, different habits, people give animals different association, resulting in cross-cultural communication barriers. Under normal circumstances, the cultural significance animal words based on are various, but it has three main components, namely the animal's appearance, physical, pe

21、rsonal, behavioral, habitual characteristics; the nation's cultural content, cultural traditions and cultural psychology; the role of association. On this basis, it can be summarized in four cases: same English and Chinese animal words express the same connotation; same English and Chinese anima

22、l words express the different connotation; different English and Chinese animal words express the same connotation; different English and Chinese animal words express the same connotation. German nonpositivist sociologist Georg Simmel defined culture as the cultivation of individuals through the age

23、ncy of external forms which have been objectified in the course of history. Various ethnic groups of human language is not only a symbol system or communication tool, but the national awareness of the world's systems of meaning and value system, and thus the language of humanities - language as

24、an objective, static isolated, cold, in the form of self-contained object, and the language involved in its the human environment, and achieves dynamic expression and elaboration of content. Therefore, it is a self-contained process. Animals have the salient features and these features are sometimes

25、 the same in overall English and Chinese animal words, so whether it is Chinese or English, most of the animal word or phrase means the same or similar, but because of different cultural backgrounds, it also gives the same animal words different cultural connotations, usually identical to the concep

26、t of significance of an animal and its cultural connotations are embodied with significant differences. Animal words often has a distinct national cultural identity, so both Chinese and English language use and translation should be noted that the cultural connotation of the term. (Zhang Jun, 2004)

27、To avoid ambiguity, translation is a special form of language, focusing on the source language, the similarities and differences between the language as well as the statements were made within, in order to understand the source language and source language to the fullest degree, which is the focus o

28、f the translation. Language is the reflection of social life, which is part of the society and culture. English and Chinese Animal Words are as part of the society and culture. Therefore, during translation, it must take into account the cultural influences and constraints. (Lin Hong, 2003)1.2 Backg

29、round and SignificanceLanguage is the carrier and container of cultural information. Human beings have been interacting with the world and accumulated their experience and knowledge about the world, which are represented in language. As a result, we can find in language all human knowledge and exper

30、ience which are interpreted as cultural information. So in human language there exist a plenty of animal words that are often used as kinds of association vehicles. Human beings often associate their feelings and emotions with various animals according to animals features such as their appearances,

31、habits and characteristics so that the names or images of animals possess specific cultural connotations. Culture is the soil of language. Sir Edward Tylor, a British anthropologist, was one of those who first defined culture，in Primitive Culture (1871). His definition was that “Culture is complex w

32、hole, which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” Tylors definition has continually been the basis of most anthropological conception of culture. Animal words are a part of language, which is also an insep

33、arable part of culture. Therefore, Chinese and English animal words may have different cultural meanings and better translation will help people to facilitate cross-cultural communication. Based on the above points, a research on the topic, different cultural meanings of Chinese and English animal v

34、ocabulary is going to be rewarding. 2. Causes for Different Cultural Meanings of Chinese and English Animal VocabularyHumans now has very close relationship with animals, people docile and raise animals to develop an understanding of the living habits of the animals, thus, the words and idioms of th

35、e animal have continued to increase. With the deepening of exchanges between countries, the conversion between different languages becomes particularly important, however, different geographic locations, customs, religions with other countries, people treat the views and attitudes of the same kind o

36、f animals differently. Significance in different cultural connotations represent the same kind of animals may vary greatly, which requires us to take a different translation when translating animal-related words and idioms, that is naturalization and alienation are needed, and only appropriate order

37、 can convey its original meaning. The target language readers can identify and understand the translation, so as to achieve the purpose of cultural exchange. (Jiang Lei, 2000)2.1 Historical CultureCulture is also a historical phenomenon. Each generation inherits the culture established by its forefa

38、thers and makes its own contributions to the development of culture; so different nations have different cultures. Universality between Chinese and English cultures and similarity in the thinking modes make people associate the same animal words with the same or similar figurative meanings. But diff

39、erences between these two cultures always lead to different association. (Li Yue, 2002) Therefore, historical cultural differences are one of the most important reasons for different animal connotations between Chinese and English animal vocabularies. Each nation has its own unique history, which af

40、fects the culture of theirs. Meanwhile the history is an important part and factor of each nations culture. In Chinese, “ox” has the same meaning as the “horse” in English. Thats caused by their different histories. The earliest cultivation mainly depended on “ox” in China, while the heavy farm work

41、 was done by “horse” in the early stage of Britain. “Ox” is always a kind of food in Britain, but horse is mainly ridden in China. So “ox” of Chinese and “horse” of English are both the same laborious livestock, and they have the same cultural connotations. Today, their functions have more or less c

42、hanged in these two nations, but their cultural connotations given by history have been carried on as before by their people. E.g. (1) as strong as a horse壮如牛 (2) work like a horse像牛一样地辛勤干活. To Chinese, dragon (龙) is something sacred and has been regarded as the ancestor of the Chinese nation. Thats

43、 why the Chinese call themselves 龙的传人(descendant of the dragon). According to the Oxford Intermediate Learners English Chinese Dictionary, the definition of dragon is “an imaginary animal with wings which can breathe out fire”. But in the mind of English speaking people, the dragon is related to the

44、 evil monster. Nowadays, dragon still has a high position in Chinese mind and they think they are the generation of dragon (Dragon stands for propitious in China). Dragon becomes a national totem. There are a lot of idioms about dragon in China. These idioms are all similar. Their expressions are wo

45、nderful. (Song Jie, 2007) “Monkey (猴子)” has different figurative meaning in Chinese and English languages. In Chinese, “monkey” is often likened to a smart and agile person, with commendatory sense. The Chinese people often jokingly call clever and cute children “little monkey”. But, if you praise a

46、 western child “You are like a little monkey.”, he will be angry, thinking that you curse him. Because in English, “little monkey,” means “a troublesome playful child”. And “monkey” is often likened to a person with a whole bag of tricks, e.g. “The man is as tricky as a monkey. (那人诡计多端，极为狡猾。)” There

47、fore, in English, expressions with “monkey” have derogatory meanings. 2.2 ReligionReligion is a cultural phenomenon, which takes great influence on the peoples life. In the western counties, Christianity is the dominant religion, which influences peoples life and thinking for several hundred years.

48、The Bible is already deeply rooted peoples mind. “a lion in the road (道上有猛狮)”, “beard the lion in the Bible (入狮穴掳狮须)”, lions are mentioned in the Bible for their strength, boldness and ferocity. In China, Buddhism has always been popular for over one thousand years. The Chinese believe Buddha can co

49、ntrol all the things in the world. In Buddhism, “dragon” is the symbol of power and success, while in Christianity the lamb is the symbol of the Gods people and tameness. (Miao Fengbo, 2010) From these examples, it can be seen that religion and belief are the important factors affecting cultural dif

50、ferences. Since English and Chinese nationalities have different religious beliefs they naturally also have the difference in the aspect of the word connotations. For example, English people all believe in Christianity, they often go to the church to gather together. The church does not like the Chi

51、nese temple, there is no food for the mouse to eat and mouse in the church are always hungry. So English has this kind of idiom: As poor as the church mouse, which is similar with the Chinese saying 一贫如洗 yipin ruxi. Just as we have mentioned above. Britain is an island country, so in English there a

52、ppears some glossary related to the navigation. The idiom “to rain cats and dogs” originates with the sailor. According to the Northern Europe myth, cat was considered as animal which had huge influence to the weather, whenever the cat jumps madly not as usual, the sailors would say: The cat has a g

53、ale of wind in her tail. They have a premonition of the coming storm from the cats activity. Therefore there is the idiom “to rain cats and dogs” which means “rainstorm”. We have some other idioms that are associated with animals from the Bible: separate the sheep from the goats 把好人与坏人分开.2.3 Customs

54、Customs is another element that influences the cultural meanings of Chinese and English animal vocabulary. The words and idioms about dog in Chinese and English animal vocabulary even reflect more the dissimilarity between the English customs and the Chinese customs. Both the English-speaking people

55、 and the Chinese people like raising dogs, but they have different aims and attitudes towards dogs. In English-speaking countries, dogs are generally treated as persons companions, just few dogs are raised to hunt or look after the house. For people have no children, sometimes their dogs can take th

56、e place of children. Dogs often have preferential treatments, even “privileges”. Their food, clothes are no less good as their masters. They even can listen to some songs specially created for them. They can see a veterinary surgeon when they are ill. They can also enjoy a “vacation” when their host

57、s spend their holidays. These customs of raising dogs are common in Western countries. Westerners sometimes use the animal word dog to refer to their friends. But this behavior makes the Chinese puzzled. In China, dogs usually do not “enjoy” this kind of treatment. In the Chinese culture, dogs are d

58、isgusting, and the word dog often has a derogatory sense, especially when used to refer to a person. Generally speaking, the Chinese despise this kind of animal in heart. They breed them just for hunting and looking after the house. I believe these customs will not change in a short time. (Wang Sen,

59、 2007) e.g. (1) Every dog has his day人人都有得意时 (2) Love me, love my dog. 爱屋及乌.2.4 Geographic and Natural EnvironmentDifferent countries have different living environment and different living environment gestates diverse cultures. So the cultural connotations of animal words are no exception. For example, Britains fishery, ship-building industry and the marine transportation industry hold great proportion in the economy. In the language expression