On English Translation of Proverbs浅谈英语谚语翻译.docx

1、On English Translation of Proverbs浅谈英语谚语翻译浅析英文谚语翻译On English Translation of ProverbsAbstractBecause of the differences 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 in

2、formation. Proverbs are closely linked with cultural tradition and they are inseparable. The cultural elements of proverbs cause the difficulty of translation of proverb. This thesis is trying to make some exploration about the proverb, and its translation.Key words: category；translation method ; cu

3、lture contrast摘 要由于不同的宗教信仰、风俗习惯、寓言神话以及文学艺术诸多方面的差异，英、汉谚语承载着不同的民族文化特色和不同的文化信息。他们与文化传统紧密相连，不可分割。言语中的文化因素构成了翻译中的困难。直译，意译，或者直译与意译相结合，则要根据具体的语言环境来定。本文通过对英文谚语的分类和对中西文化的对比，就英语谚语及其翻译做一些探索。关键词：谚语分类；翻译方法；文化对比ContentsAbstract i摘 要 iiIntroduction 11 What is Proverb? 11.1 The Definition of Proverb 11.2 The Catego

4、ries of Proverb 21.2.1 From Production Experiences 21.2.2 From Life Experiences 21.2.3 From Masterpieces and Mottos 31.2.4 From the Bible 31.2.5 To Convey the Truth 31.2.6 Loan Proverb 42 The comparison of Chinese and English proverb 52.1 Subaudition of Proverb 52.2 Religion 62.3 Values 62.4 History

5、 and Culture 73 Methods of proverbs translation 73.1 Literal Translation 83.2 Free Translation 93.2.1 Free Translation in different English and Chinese proverbs 93.2.2 Free translation in similar proverbs in English and Chinese 103.3 Combination of Literal and Free Translation 104 Conclusion 11Bibli

6、ography 12Acknowledgements 13Introduction Proverb is a short pithy saying in frequent and widespread use that expresses a basic truth or practical precept. Proverb is a treasure of literature which comes from peoples daily life. It sparkles with the wisdom of humans thoughts and experiences from the

7、 ancient times to the modern times. Whats more, it has enriched the languages of lots of countries. In a word, proverb is as lively as poem, as steady as essay and as terse as idiom.Since the differences on history, religion and custom, the proverb connects with its own culture steadily and carries

8、the unique information and feature in each language. When translating English proverbs, the attention should be paid to deliver the exact meaning, meanwhile the language character has also to be concerned. Though English and Chinese are totally two different languages, but they have much in common o

9、n proverb, for instant, proverbs in two languages are both simple and alive; most of them rhyme with tidy structures and vivid metaphor. On the other hand, Proverb is kinds of reflection of culture that convey the features of a country as well as the translation of English proverb. As we know, the b

10、oth two languages have centuries-old history, religion and literature. So proverbs learning can be a good way to understand English-speaking countries.Mr. Zhu Guangqian says: “The most difficult to understand and translate about foreign literature is the associated meaning”, “It has the specific emo

11、tional atmosphere, quite deep and delicate; you may not find it in the dictionary, but it is very important to literature. If we dont know the habits and customs as well as the cultural historic background, well be at sea, especially when we translate the associated meaning.” By analyzing the sort o

12、f proverb, one can understand the features, subaudiences and also the author categorizes proverb into several sections, from geography, custom, and culture to compare the differences between Chinese and English proverbs. Through the study of proverb, good understanding may be well applied to the tra

13、nslation of proverbs. As for the methods of translation, such as literal translation, free translation, or the combination of two ways of translation which depend on the features of language and cultural background of the proverbs.1 What is Proverb?1.1 The Definition of Proverb “A proverb is a brief

14、 familiar maxim of folk wisdom, usually compressed inform, often involving a bold image and frequently a jingle that catches the memory.”(NY: Longman, 1976: 889) “A proverb is a short sayingin common use that strikingly expresses some obvious truth or familiar experience.”(NY: Macmillan General refe

15、rence, 1988: 1083) So proverb is considered as a popular short saying with words of advice or warning which is created among people as a great intellectual achievement from their understanding of the nature and society. Proverb is common on style, neat on structure, vivid on language and profound on

16、 meaning. “Proverb is the daughter of daily experience.” “A proverb is much matter decocted into few words.”(JinHuikang, 2004: 421) As a legacy of ancestors, proverb contains the experiences that the ancestors have concluded or the wisdoms of truth. From the definitions above we may find out that pr

17、overb is a general truth and gives advice and warning which involves a bold image, musical rhyme or compressed form and brings reality and vividness to the readers and so they are easy to memorize.1.2 The Categories of Proverb Proverb can be seen as a brilliant treasure to a culture, it reflects eve

18、ry aspect of one society. However, such many proverbs can be divided into categories. 1.2.1 From Production Experiences Language develops along with the society as well as the proverb. Lots of English proverbs are created by farmers from the prediction of the agricultural production and the weather

19、since they ties up with the crops and weather. These proverbs are the experiences of their years of farming which is closely related to there harvest and happiness, so they knows them very well.For example:When April blows its horn, its good both for hay and corn. (四月打雷，谷草成堆)It never rains but it po

20、urs. (不雨则已，一雨倾盆)Make hay while the sun shines. (晒草要趁晴天)A year of snow, a year of plenty. (瑞雪兆丰年)He that by the plough would thrive, himself must either hold or drive. (想要种地发家，就得扶犁赶马)1.2.2 From Life Experiences There are a kind of proverbs that embodies the happiness, joy, tears and pain. Some are ev

21、en bloody: How sharper than a serpents tooth it is to have a thankless child (逆子无情甚于蛇蝎). This is a proverb that a heartbroken father describes his vicious son. We can imagine the evil face of the son and the poor parents who are left unattended without care, waiting for death. War is deaths feast (战

22、争是死亡的宴席). In all ages, war is all about deaths, broken families. Isnt the war is exactly a feast of death? He that taught them all their tricks kept one for himself (教人百艺留一艺). This one may be concluded from the real story of the ungrateful student who betrayed his own teacher.1.2.3 From Masterpieces

23、 and Mottos Britain is an old European country affected by ancient Rome and Greece and famous of her achievement on literature. The mottos are widely read by people from all over the world; Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers. People have summarized many proverbs from his masterpieces. Bre

24、vity is the soul of wit. (简洁是智慧的灵魂) - Hamlet One swallow does not make a summer. (只燕不成夏) Lend your money and lose your friend. (钱财借出，友谊丧失) - Hamlet Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. (一些书可以品味，另外一些可以吞食，少数一些书可以咀嚼和消化)1.2.4 From the Bible Britain

25、 is a Christian country reined by thearchy as well as the King for a long period in the history. For this reason there are plenty of English proverbs derived from the Bible. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. (以牙还牙, 以眼还眼). This proverb is a quotation from Exodus 21:23-27 in which a person who h

26、as taken the eye of another in a fight is instructed to give his own eye in compensation. Freely you have received, freely give. (白白的得来，也要白白的舍去). This one is a quotation from Matthew 10:8. It means that one should let the free things go since he never pays for them. There are more examples: Whoever

27、digs a pit may fall into it.151Whoever digs a p (挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中) Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. (凿开石头的，必受损伤；擘开木头的，必遭危险)More strength is needed but skill will bring success. 挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中。 (得智慧指教，便有益处)1.2.5 To Convey the Truth By the formin

28、g of the civilization and the society people struggle against the nature as well as the people themselves. Gradually some principles are accepted by the masses and those principles spread far and wide so that more and more people acknowledge them as the truth. Where there is a will, there is a way.

29、(有志者事竟成) It is one of the most famous English proverbs which encourages people not to loose faith since the strong will leads one to success. If you have the inclination and determination for something, you will always be able to find a way toward the goal. There is nothing hopeless or impossible if

30、 you are resolute enough. The proverb has become an accepted wisdom for its spread.(Martin H Manser, 2002: 277)There are more examples:A mothers love never changes. (母爱永不变)Honesty pays. (诚实必有好报)Time is money. (时间就是金钱)History repeats itself. (历史往往重演)Cheats never prosper. (骗人发不了财)1.2.6 Loan Proverb Br

31、itain is a country with developed navigation technology from of old and it frequently connects with other continent and countries. Latin used to be popular in England and French was once the official language of England. Therefore, there are a few proverbs from Latin and other languages which reserv

32、e their thoughts and wisdoms. Nothing comes from nothing. (无风不起浪) Latin proverb Put the cart before the horse. (本末倒置) French proverb Art is long, life is short. (艺术永存，生命短暂) Latin proverb Burnt bairns dread the fire. (一朝被蛇咬三年怕井绳) Russian proverb Appetite comes with eating. (胃口越吃越大) French proverb2 The comparison of Chinese and English proverb2.1 Subaudition of Proverb Some proverbs have a subaudition, connotative and profound. If we translate them literally and ignore the original meanings