A Comparative study of English and Chinese Idioms.doc

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1、A Comparative study of English and Chinese Idioms A Comparative study of English and Chinese Idioms Thesis statement: understanding similarities and differences between Chinese and English idioms will help English learners in translation and conversation.Introduction .The similarities and difference

2、s between Chinese and English idioms in meaning and usageA. Similarities B. Differences.The derivation in different image in Chinese and English A. Deriving from military affairsB. Alluding to well-known literary wordsC. Influenced by different customs and beliefsD. Affected by different cultures an

3、d backgrounds. Comparison of idioms of color in Chinese and English A. Differences in meaning, similarities in symbolB. Similarities in meaning and symbol .Conclusion Abstract: Understanding similarities and differences between Chinese and English idioms is of great importance in the cross-cultural

4、communication. Based on a comparative study, this paper will study how they are similar, and what are different in meaning and usage. It is hoped that the study can shed light on the two language features and also provide some help to English learners, in the way of increasing learners interest in E

5、nglish. Besides, it will help to improve culture awareness. I will conform that learning English is happy and easy rather than boring and difficult. Key words: idioms, differences, similarities, comparison, conversation.IntroductionAs is known to all, language is the most direct way for mankind to c

6、ommunicate information and exchange ideas, and it serves as a bridge between different people and cultures. Idioms, as a special form of language, exist in both of them and carry a large amount of cultural information such as history, geography, religion, and military affair, custom, nationality psy

7、chology, thought pattern and etc, and therefore are closely related to culture. They are the heritage of history and product of cultural evolvement. Consequently, we can know much about culture through studying idioms and in turn get better understanding of idioms by learning the cultural background

8、 behind them. Francis Bacon said, “Generous wit and spirit of a nation are discovered by their idioms”. Comparing English and Chinese idioms will help us have a better understanding differences and similarities of the two languages in the cross-cultural communication and translation. . The similarit

9、ies and differences in meaning and usage between Chinese and English idiomsA. Similarities Idioms are usually highly specialized in meaning and closely tied to distinctive cultural features and cultural attitudes. It is believed that idioms are the most culturally loaded element in any languages voc

10、abulary. With relation to forms, they give an expression to the special features of the language. Some English idioms and Chinese idioms share the same, or partially similar metaphors, and vice versa，it is easy to understand. To loss ones marbles 失去理智 Quick like lighting 疾如闪电 as light as a feather 轻

11、如羽毛to fish in troubled water 混水摸鱼 golden age 黄金时代seeing is believing 耳闻为虚，眼见为实kill two birds with one stone一箭双雕B. DifferencesOn the other hand, English and Chinese idioms differ in meaning and usage. Therefore, sometimes, we may translate or understand them in wrong way, and make some fun. Such as “

12、pull ones leg” is “拉后腿” but its true meaning is “开玩笑.” (单其昌,1990，P.105) we could not take the words for granted, We should realize it is very necessary to pay more attention to their differences, and carefully translate or use it based on its cultures. Here are more examples. To have a card up ones

13、sleeve 有妙计 The apple of ones eye 掌上明珠 Let sleeping dogs lie 不要打草惊蛇 Hold a candle to the sun 徒劳无益 Six of one and half a doze of the other 半斤八两 Back down 打退堂鼓 Have an axe to grind 别有用心 At sixes and sevens 乱七八糟 Make a mountain out of a molehill 小题大做 Spill the beans 走漏风声 Bag of wind 夸夸其谈There exists vas

14、t differences between English and Chinese culture and this difference can be so formidable that the lexicographers may even think that it is impossible to give equivalents to certain culture-bound idioms. .The derivation in different image in Chinese and English Every country or region within a coun

15、try has a unique common heritage and has own language, joint experience, or shared learning. This shared background produces the culture and language of a region, country, or society. In this case, whatever are English or Chinese idioms derive from their habits in the common heritage.A. Deriving fro

16、m military affairsSome idioms deriving from military affairs are difficult to understand and translate, but such idioms are not so much, and then we should know the history about them. Here are some idioms. All is fair in war 兵不厌诈 To know the enemy and know yourself, andyou can fight a hundred battl

17、es with no danger of defeat 知己知彼，百战不殆 Bury the hatchet 化干戈为玉帛 Resort to arms 兵戎相见 Speed is what counts in war 兵贵神速B. Alluding to well-known literary wordsSome idioms have their origin in well-known literary words. It is very difficult for us to understand, and the number of such idioms is small in t

18、he English language. As we all know, we must know them very well if we want to be good learner in English. Here are some such idioms. Paint the lily 锦上添花，画蛇添足 A dead duck 将失败的计划 By the skin of ones teeth 死里逃生There are some idioms like suck idioms. Taking deriving from allusion for example, in histor

19、y, such as “to burn ones boat”, it is translated into “破釜沉舟”,not “烧舟”(张安德,2002,P.20).Another example is “to do one thing under cover of another”, is “暗度陈仓”. “Cry wolf” is “谎报险情”, alludes to fable.C. Influenced by different customs and beliefs Different country share different customs and beliefs. It

20、 is certainly much easier to learn about other cultures if one approaches them. For example, most English people believe that it is common to communicate with each other in euphemism, in order not to lead to awkwardness and embarrassment. Therefore, the following examples illustrate some kinds of “d

21、ie”; most of examples are the same to our country. To go to glory 升天了 To be gone or To expire 逝世 To depart or To pass away 去世，与世长辞 To close (end) ones day 寿终 To breathe ones last 咽气，断气 To go west 归西天 To pay the debt of nature 了结尘缘 To depart to the world of shadows 命归黄泉 To give up the ghost 见阎王 To be

22、 no more 不在世 To kick the bucket 翘辫子 To join the majority 会见祖先 To kick up ones heels 登腿，翘脚 We can have some ideas of the cultural differences, which can help us considerably, especially in translation and conversation. English and Chinese must have different culture due to differences in beliefs、poli

23、tics and human history, which focus on usage of idioms. Most Chinese believe Buddhism, they are deeply influenced by Buddhism, we usually use this idiom “放下屠刀，立地成佛”,it is translated into “to drop ones cleaver and become a Buddha-achieve salvation as soon as one gives up evil”(张安德,杨元刚,2002,P.23). How

24、ever, most English people believe Christianity, they uphold Christian culture. Different beliefs in Chinese and English reflect the two different languages. Therefore, we should take it seriously in cross-cultural communication. Otherwise, it is confused. Such as “谋事在人，成事在天”is “Man proposes, God dis

25、poses”, the translation seems to be the best way, however, the two background of beliefs and cultures are different, if it is translated into “Man proposes, God disposes”, Chinese become believing Christianity not Buddhism. Thus, we should take “Heaven” instead of “God”.D. Affected by different cult

26、ures and backgrounds Due to the two different cultures and backgrounds, and different understanding of the source language, these idioms may be translated in the light of each cultures and backgrounds. Origin of idioms is closely related to their backgrounds, different idioms have serious national c

27、ultures. Chinese take farming as the dominant factor since ancient times, farmer plays large part in China, people accumulate rich experience in agriculture, which give rise to lots of idioms in terms of agriculture. The following Chinese idioms belong to this type. 瓜田李下 in a melon patch or under a

28、plum tree 地老天荒 till the end of the world 五谷丰登 a bumper grain harvest 风调雨顺 good weather for crops (张安德,杨元刚,2002,P.29)On the other hand, England locate in island, in history, people used to engage in fishing and voyage, therefore, some such idioms arise from the culture. Such idioms include: A sea of

29、faces 人山人海Fishing for compliments 讨别人的恭维To drink like a fish 牛饮 Struggle not against the stream 潮流不可抗拒To keep ones head above water 奋力图存 A cold fish 冷漠的人 To have other fish to fry 另有他图 To sail ones own boat 独立行动 In low water 不如意（经济不宽裕）These idioms are very interesting, if you know the cultures and b

30、ackground in the related country. . Comparison of idioms of color in Chinese and English A. Differences in meaning, similarities in symbolAlthough yellow and blue are different, the symbols are same in the two different national cultures. The two stand for diadem and dignity. Many examples illustrat

31、e such English idioms. A blue-blooded family 表示具有王室血统的家庭 Blue Book 蓝皮书 The boys in blue 专指皇家警察和水兵 Blue ribbon committee 一流的委员会And such Chinese idioms are familiar to us, for example, “黄袍加身”，it is same to English “raise sb to the purple”,“黄屋”and so on.B. Similarities in meaning and symbol English cou

32、ntry and China are different in their surroundings and cultures, but people also use similar color to describe the same thing or view. For instance, in the two countries, color “red” all stands for danger, anger and shyness. Red battle 血战 Red activities 暴力活动 Red-cover papers 国家机密文件 Red alert 空袭警报 Se

33、e red 火冒三丈，勃然大怒 Turn red with blush 羞红了脸Red color plays an important role in China, and Chinese people regard it as the endless ardency, such as “红鸡蛋”、 “红包” 、“滚滚红尘”. Likewise, red color is considered as “serious”, “important” and “welcome” in western country. So “the red-letter day” means “important

34、 day”, and when they welcome honored guests, they use “red carpet”( 红地毯) to indicate grandness. . ConclusionIdioms are the reflections of peoples experiences, views, and emotions. In whatever language, they are extremely important. It is very interesting and useful to study and compare English and C

35、hinese idioms; we should pay more attention to different kinds of idioms in the two languages, and we must fully understand their cultural backgrounds, customs and real meanings so that we can use them correctly. As for English major students, it is very necessary for us to master enough and general

36、 knowledge of idioms, and we should realize that some idioms can be translated literally, but others should be treated in a flexible way. Finally, It is my hope that it will increase learners interest in English, and let the learners know learning English is happy and easy rather than boring and difficult.References张安德，杨元刚。（2002）英汉词语文化对比。武汉：湖北教育出版社彭启良。（1980）。翻译与比较。北京：商务印书馆单其昌。（1990）。英汉翻译技巧。北京：外语教学与研究出版社陈生保。（1997）。英汉翻译津指。北京：中国对外翻译出版社公司余立三。（1985）。英汉修辞比较与翻译。北京：商务出版社