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习语的翻译--Part I 课文学习--第七页
（ Translation of Idioms ） |
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The above are all replacing Chinese images with a similar-sensed and existing English image ， for instance, “牙”with“Head”，“猫”“狗” with “Tom，Harry and Jack”，“海” with “haystack”，“屋”与“乌”with“ me”and “ dog” and “木鸡” with “doornail”. (2) Literal translation plus sense and explanation ． For some idiomatic expressions which roots back to certain historical event ， legend or biography existing only in that certain culture ， the readers of the other language will find it hard to understand only by its literal replacement ， in this case ， it 1s necessary to add additional explanation to achieve the similar sense to the Original ． Please have a read on the following examples ． “三座大山” It is not familiar with English Culture ， was at one time widely used by the Chinese people and it is translated into “ the three big mountain ” by some people, which is peculiar in Chinese culture and cannot be understood by foreigners ． So the translator should add on explanatory note to this version ：“ that is ， imperialism ， feudalism and bureaucrat — capitalism ， which weighed like mountains on the backs of the Chinese people bef6re liberation ．” “东施效颦” It originated from Chinese culture ， a story by Zhuang — zi which told that the famous beauty in the ancient kingdom of Yue ， Xi — shi's ugly neighbor ， whose endeavors to imitate the little frown that made Xi—shi captivating produced an aspect so hideous that people ran from her terror ． Without knowing this culture background ， the only literal translation ：“ Dong — shi ， an ugly woman knitting her browns in imitation of the famous beauty Xi — shi ．” will not make the western reader understand the author's idea ． But if the translation is added with a brief explanation like ：“ only to make herself uglier ， it connote a blind imitation with ludicrous effect ． It will sure make the correct sense to the reader ． “炎黄子孙” This idiom involves two Chinese faraway ancient figures ． Some people would translate it to ：“ Descendants of Yan Di and Huang Di ， or the Chinese People” However to the westerners who are not familiar with this history ， then they would be very confused ， but if we add in the following explanations ，“ Haung Di and Yan Di ， who were the leaders of two tribes who fought against each other in ancient times ． Huang Di eventually defeated Yan Di and the two tribes were combined, becoming the main Chinese people ． So today's Chinese call themselves descendants of Yan Di and Huang Di ．”， it will become impressive and make more sense to them ． “藕断丝连” It is a often used Chinese idiom that usually connote that two lovers Still in contact though apparently separated ， it is al right to be translated literally as ： The lotus — root breaks in two ， but some of its fibers remain connected ． "However the western reader may still not know the deepen sense that this idiom conveys ， if we add an referential meaning as ： Denotes that separated but still in each other's thoughts or apparently severed ， actually still connected ， the reader will sure catch the author's feelings. “三纲五常” It refers to the Moral principles in feudal times including the three cardinal guides ruler guides subject( 君以臣为纲 ) ， father guides son ， husband guides wife and the five constant virtues( 五常 ): benevolence ( 仁 ) ， rightness( 义 ) ， propriety( 仪 ) ， wisdom ( 智 ) ， fidelity( 信 ) as specified in the feudal society ． But if the translator only translate literally “ Moral Principles and five constant virtues” it will be difficult for the reader to imagine the contents and by no way will they be able to catch the “ feeling — tone' ' of the expression ． “万事俱备，只欠东风” The literal translation ：“ Everything's ready ， awaiting the east wind ．” only when it comes together with explanation on the connotative meaning ：“ All is ready but the most critical thing is needed” will they complete the English reader's understanding on the core sense of the idiom. “杞人忧天” The Chinese idiom also come with an ancient fable, it tells that a man in Qi in ancient times who feared the sky might fall, so much that he could not eat or sleep. Someone told him: “You need not worry because the sky won't fall.” But the man could not believe that and he fell ill and died. And for the English readers, they absolutely would not know why the Qi people is worrying about the sky, only when the translator pull out and attach the moral: “to entertain imaginary or groundless fears out of the line” to the translation can the readers understand the original sense. |
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