关于隐喻mataphor的英文论文.docx

1、关于隐喻mataphor的英文论文1. IntroductionThe study on metaphor has a history of more than two thousand years. Since Lakoff and Johnson (1980) explore a new way for the study on metaphor from the perspective of cognitive linguistic, many Chinese scholars in various fields have made researches on the translati

2、on of English metaphor. Some scholars pay attention to translation of English metaphor in literature, such as in plays, poems, novels and so on. Some scholars are concerned about the translation of English metaphor in economy and politics. Others focus on translation of English metaphor in science a

3、nd technology. This thesis explores the methods for translating English metaphor based on the analysis of difficulties existed in translating English metaphor. Translation of English metaphor will be helpful to English learners to understand, appreciate English metaphors and flexibly apply them to d

4、aily life. It also will promote exchange and cooperation between China and the foreign countries. 1.1Definition of metaphor The word “metaphor” comes from the Greek word “metaphora”, “meta” means “change” and “pherein” has the meaning of “carry”, “metaphors means “a transfer of meaning”. The combine

5、d word refers to a particular linguistic process, through which the characteristics of a certain object could be transferred to another one, in the effect that the second object could be taken as the first one (Lin, 2007). Ox ford advanced learners English-Chinese dictionary (2009) defines metaphor

6、as “a word or phrase used to describe somebody or something else, in a way that is different from its normal use, in order to show that the two things have the same qualities and to make the description more powerful”. In other words, metaphor is a figure of speech that refers to a comparison betwee

7、n two basically different objects but have something in common in some connotations. 1.2The essence of metaphorMetaphor is one of the most common linguistic phenomenons. The traditional rhetoric regards metaphor just as the transference of a word from one thing to another, which both was comparison

8、(Shi, 2007). Their views are concerned about the literal meaning of words, not the sentences. Many scholars in western have made researches on metaphor from various perspectives and levels since 1970s. Metaphor is not only a language phenomenon, but also a way of thinking of human beings, and that m

9、etaphors are pervasive in our everyday life (Richards 1936, p.72). Lakoff and Johnson (1980) explore a new way for the study on metaphor from the perspective of cognitive linguistic. They believe that metaphor is the principle and basic mode of human existence. And they claim that our ordinary conce

10、ptual system, in terms of which we both think and act, is fundamentally metaphorical in nature. (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980, p.3)In short, metaphor, as one of the most common linguistic phenomena, is a very important component of English language. It is a cognitive activity of peoples interpreting and u

11、nderstanding experiences in one field through those in another (Shu, 2000, p.28). Therefore, it is significant to explore translation of English metaphor into Chinese. The methods for translating English metaphor can contribute to English learners in China to understand, appreciate and use them in d

12、aily lives. In addition, they can also promote successful cross-cultural communication.2The necessity for translation of English metaphorMetaphor is not only a figure of speech, but also a kind of cognitive thinking as well as the bridge between language and cognition. As a result, translation of En

13、glish metaphor can help English learners to understand English language better. In addition, many English metaphors carry the rich western culture, so translation of English metaphor can help us to understand their culture better and make a successful cross-cultural communication.2.1Translation of E

14、nglish metaphor can help English learners to improve their English study.Vocabulary, as a very important part of learning language, plays a significant role in the process of learning English. English metaphor, as a bond of English language, plays an indispensable part in the process of learning voc

15、abulary. Therefore, translation of English metaphor can help English learners to improve their vocabularies, especially the English beginners.In China, most of students adopt the method of learning by note to learn English vocabulary, which leads to be unable to use vocabularies flexibly in communic

16、ation or in writing. Metaphor is a cognitive activity of peoples interpreting and understanding experiences in one field through those in another (Shu, 2000, p.28). From this point of view, metaphor is the main motivation for producing meanings of a word, and is the main source of polysemy of a word

17、 as well as the methods of increasing vocabularies. For example, she is a woman with a stone heart, and John is a man who never loses heart. In English, the basis meaning of heart is an organ of body, but in example 1 and 2, heart is extended for heartless and courage as well as confidence. These ex

18、tended meaning is association with its basic meaning. Therefore, in the process of learning English, English learners can explore the extended meaning of a word to avoid learning by note. As a result, translation English metaphor can help English learners to enlarge their vocabularies and understand

19、 vocabularies better.The traditional rhetoricians considered metaphor as decorative in nature. It is a grace or added power of language (Richards, 1936, p.5). As a result, translation of metaphor can help English learners to understand English metaphors and apply them in writing, which will improve

20、their writing skill. Shu (2000,p.113) claims that conciseness is one of the most obvious characteristics of metaphor that a word or words can often express a series of meaning, which causes listeners image of all the relative events and contexts. In his views, metaphor can strengthen the effect of e

21、xpressions. Therefore, application of English metaphors based on understanding them can strengthen expressive power of their writing.Translation of English metaphor can help English learners to enlarge their vocabularies and use them in communication or writing flexibly, which will improve their Eng

22、lish study. 2.2 Translation of English metaphor can improve international exchange. English, as the common used language in the world, plays an important role in international exchanges. English metaphor, as a very important component of English language, not only is pervasive in our everyday life,

23、but also is widely used in literature, economy and science. With the development of society and economy, the exchanges among countries become more and more frequent. However, in the process of economic, technological and cultural communication between east and west, we often misunderstand what they

24、say because we can not completely understand some English metaphors that carry cultural differences in language. Consequently, it leads to ambiguity in both their understandings, which will hinder the cultural exchanges among countries. As a result, translation of English metaphor can help us to und

25、erstand and apply English metaphor in international communication. Many English metaphors carry rich western culture including history, customs, and religion and so on. If we just know about the literal meaning of their expressions, we can not open the door to further exchange. For example, a Chines

26、e admires a westerner and says that he is a dragon. A westerner will be very angry when he hears what you say that. This is because that dragon is regarded as an ominous animal in western culture, which is always used to describe the bad-tempered person or cruel forces. However, dragon in Chinese cu

27、lture is regarded as Chinese, which represents powerful and successful. If we do not understand the culture of English-speaking countries better, it will lead to cultural conflicts. Therefore, since English metaphors convey the cultural connotation of English-speaking countries, translation of Engli

28、sh metaphor can help us to know their culture better, which avoid cultural conflicts in conversations and improve further communication.3The difficulties existed in translation of English metaphorMetaphors are pervasive in our daily lives. Conversations are full of metaphors in our daily lives that

29、in every three sentences on average, there is a metaphor appearing. English metaphors are closely related to culture of English-speaking countries. Consequently, we should pay more attention to cultural differences in translation. In addition, Chinese language also affects the translation of English

30、 metaphor, which makes it difficult to translate English metaphor correctly. 3.1 LanguageMost of figurative languages are produced in our daily lives, resulted from human beings understandings of the world and their attitude towards the world. Since human beings living in the same world share the sa

31、me external environment and experience the similar process of social development, there must be some similar figurative languages in both English and Chinese. For example, time is money while in Chinese, we will say “时间就是金钱”. To everyone no matter what language they speak, time is a valuable and lim

32、ited resource just as money. However, English and Chinese belong to two different kinds of linguistic systems. Some words or phrases in both English and Chinese have the similar denotative meaning and they overlap in connotative meaning, but they are not common. Translation of English metaphor will

33、be affected by Chinese language, which brings difficulty in translating English metaphors. Firstly, the same vehicle is used in different metaphors. For example: 1) When you fail, you should not lose heart. 2) He loses his heart to that beautiful girl. These two metaphors adopt heart as vehicle, but their senses are different. In example 1, heart h