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习语的翻译--Part II 补充阅读--第七页
（三）Cultural Differences and Translation of Idioms Based on Equivalence Principle |
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| Introduction What is culture? Hall once said ，“ Cultural phenomenon has formed through history in the way that people constantly deal with every situation. As a means and value, culture has developed together with a certain social class (Dahl, 1998) ． Fisher (1988) pretended a more convincing view ，“ Culture refers to a common behavior ． It is important because it regulates people's behavior into a certain social system which consequently promotes cooperation. This pattern of behavior is formed gradually by reward and punishment of the community members" ． More and more people have realized language, as a kind of symbol, is an instrument for communication ． Whether people think ， speak or act is a reflection of a given culture. From this viewpoint, we might draw such a conclusion ： Language is a cultural phenomenon ． Then what is “translation”? Generally speaking ， translation is defined as an activity which transfers the meaning of one 1anguage into that of another language ． But such a definition mentions merely the linguistic information, regardless of culture ， so it is not complete at a11 ． American translation theorist Eugene Nida defines ，“ Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalence of the source 1anguage message ， first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style(1969 ： 13) ． Though Nida has expanded translation to semantics and stylistics ． he has not mentioned cultural phenomenon ． Should we take culture differences into consideration in translation research? This question needs further investigation ． 1 ． Cultural Differences Layers of Culture ： The Spanish scholar Stephan Dahl once presented a report (Communications and Culture Transformation—Cultural Diversity ， Globalization and Cultural Convergence)to European University in Besalona ． Dahl ， in his report classifies culture into three categories ． Surface layer: All products of human being including language, food ， architects, arts and so on ． Middle layer: Standard and value ． Both of them determine the identity of good deed or bad deed ． The behavior and manner of the community members is directly influenced by commonly shared standard and value. Internal layer: Basic judgment. This covers aspects of and what is aesthetics etc ． This basic judgement is formed unconsciously throughout history ． Some of the judgments have already been self — evident ． The relationship among the three layers is from internal to middle then to surface layer ． The judgment of life brings about the standard and Value which consequently 1ead to the outcome of every product of human being. Un the other side ， what human beings produce reflect their value of life ： in turn, their value results from their basic judgment of life ． The living environment of people has played an important role in the formation of language. There're various living environments in the world ， therefore separate communities have taken shape ． In the course of this shaping ， language system of each community has formed ． The given living environments, the diversified communities and the specific language system altogether constitute a special culture ． From this viewpoint ， we can say language is a special product of human beings ． It is an instrument for thinking and communication ． It's an outcome of integrating natural and social effects ． Generally speaking ， 1anguage expresses thinking ． Thinking ， undoubtedly ， is dependent on ideology ． That is ， what and how you think is closely related to value of life ． It should be pointed out ： Although value of life and aesthetics in a given culture bring about the language system of that culture ， that is ， the language in question to some extent reflects the manner of thinking and aesthetic delight of that nation ， it's important to bear in mind 1anguage itself is not the judgement of value or the cognition of life in the given culture system ． It both coveys the cognition of 1ife (middle and internal layer) and expresses their need for communication (surface layer). Language is a special instrument ． Therefore ， it belongs to surface layer of culture ． The anthropologist E ． B ． Tyler once pointed out, “ Culture is a complicated collection of knowledge ， beliefs, arts ， moralities ， laws ， customs and habits formed by a community. ” It covers both the material and spiritual assets over the history ． Culture is not abstract but something we can perceive ． Human beings create their own culture with their feeling ， intelligence and technical ability and renew some of the culture with the time ． Although each nation is different from others in language and culture ， human beings' ability in essence has a lot in common ， therefore ， every nation shares convergence of culture as well ． The fact that the ideologies of different countries are diversified leads to cultural differences ． |
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