Domestication and Foreignization in English and Chinese Idiom Translation归化与异化在中英习语翻译中的运用.doc

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1、河南科技学院 2013 届本科毕业论文Domestication and Foreignization in English and Chinese Idiom Translation归化与异化在中英习语翻译中的运用论文作者姓名： 所 在 院 系： 外国语学院 所 学 专 业： 英 语 导师姓名职称： 论文完成时间： 2013年5月 13Domestication and Foreignization in English and Chinese Idiom Translation Hennan Institute of Science and TechnologyMay, 2013Conte

2、ntsAcknowledgmentsiAbstract in EnglishiiAbstract in ChineseiiiI.Introduction1II.The Definition and Features of Idiom22.1 Definition of Idiom22.2The Features of Idiom32.3The Differences between English and Chinese Idiom3III.Domestication and Foreignization63.1Domestication theory63.2 Foreignization t

3、heory6IV.Domestication and Foreignization in Idiom Translation74.1Application of Domestication74.2Application of Foreignization94.3Combination of Domestication and Foreignization10V.Conclusion12Bibliography13AcknowledgmentsI avail myself of this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all t

4、hose who have given me a lot of help when I write the thesis.First of all, I am greatly thinks to my supervisor, Liu Qianfeng, for her precious instruction on the composing of my thesis and her invaluable comments and suggestions on it. She has assisted considerably in sharpening and strengthening t

5、he focus, in pointing out errors and in suggesting improvements, which made this one of the most memorable experiences of my life.Second, I would like to express my thanks to all those teachers who have taught me, from whose courses and lectures I have benefited a lot in writing this thesis and in m

6、y later years of learning.I am also grateful to my classmates, friends and families who are ready to give me first-time help, especially my dear parents, whose love and encouragement help me never give up on the road of pursuing my dreams. Abstract Language is the carrier of culture and translation

7、is a tool for cultural exchange. Idiom is an important part of the national language and culture. Idiom is the treasure of language; it can make language vivid and lovely. Due to the cultural differences between West and China, idioms bear the differences of cultural features and cultural informatio

8、n, so the idioms and traditional culture are closely linked and inseparable. Cultural factors embedded in idioms are hard nuts to translate the idioms.This paper firstly discusses the definition, classification and features of the idioms，and points out the reason why the Chinese and English Idioms h

9、ave many differences. According the differences, the paper gives several methods about how to translate idioms well, especially the domestication and foreignization methods. By following these, the author hopes people can translate well and promote the understanding of nations well.Key words: idiom

10、culture domestication foreignization摘 要语言是文化的传递者而翻译是文化交流的工具。习语是国家语言和文化的重要组成部分。习语是语言的瑰宝，它能使语言生动活泼，妙趣横生。由于中西方文化的不同，英汉习语承载着不同的民族文化特色和文化信息，它们与文化传统紧密相连，不可分割。正因为习语中蕴含着许多不明显的文化因素，也承载着厚重的文化底蕴，所以习语往往是翻译中难点。本文首先阐述了习语的定义，习语的分类及习语的特点，并且指出了英汉习语的差异的原因。其次在本文中提出了习语翻译的几种策略和翻译方法，重点阐述介绍了归化与异化的方法。通过本文,作者希望人们不仅能对他国有所了解，

11、并且提升自己的翻译能力。关键词:习语 文化 归化 异化I.IntroductionNida, a famous translator, says, “ For truly successful translation, it is much more important to familiarize two cultures than to master two languages, because words have assigned meanings in their particular cultures.”( Nida Eugene, 1993) The idiom is the p

12、recipitation of the essence of language and culture, and the historic language in the world contains a lot of idioms. China and Britain have a long history with splendid culture. In the history, China and Britain have a wealth of idioms which cotain a strong national cultural characteristics and cul

13、tural connotations. The translation of idiom is the behavior that different ethnic groups communicate ideas and culture together. To complete the behavior，we need to use the conversion between different languages. However, there are a lot of differences between different languages, such as the diffe

14、rent customs, traditions and social backgrounds. So this conversion is not easy. Idiomatic translation will directly affect the degree of cultural exchange, determine whether the cultural information can communicate properly or not. So the translator need to be flexible to master English idiom, try

15、to explore the translation of idioms in an appropriate way, in order to make the translation can not only keep the characteristics of the original, but also express itself clearly.In order to better complete the translation of idiom, the translator proposed and practiced many translation methods. Am

16、ong them, the most important is the domestication and foreignization. Abroad,the traditional translation principle has been fluent translation just like domesticating translation.The main perspective of Nida is that the translator should regard the reader as the center in the translation. While the

17、American scholar Lawrence Venuti advanced the proposed foreignization translation. This translation method preserves the meaning of the foreign text.In China, the translation scientists such as the Xu Yuanchong, Sun Dayu also put forward their own views on translation practice. However, due to the t

18、ranslation of idiom started late in China,so idiom translation studies in the field is still weak in China, and the study of Sino-British idiom translation is not perfect. So this article explore the translation of the Sino-British from the perspective of domestication and foreignization , which has

19、 a very important significance.So this paper point out that the status and role of domestication and foreignizatioin the Sino-British idiom translation from the characteristics of the formation of the British idiom . Then the paper will compare the differences with the two contact , so that we can a

20、ccurately understand and use right translation methods in the translation of idioms. It will help us take a flexible approach to deal with the Sino-British idiom translation, accurately convey the perfect embodiment, national characteristics and cultural connotations in the Sino-British idiom.II.The

21、 Definition and Features of IdiomChinese and English, which are great both in history and culture, abound with idioms as an essential part of their vocabularies. Then what are Chinese and English idioms? What do they include? Scholars, modern and ancient, Chinese and foreign, have different opinions

22、 about their definitions and classifications.2.1 Definition of IdiomIdioms, which form an essential part of the general vocabulary of a language, can be called the cream of the language. According to the latest Websters New Word College Dictionary, 3rd Edition, “Idiom is a phrase, construction or ex

23、pression that is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and either differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together”. And many experts and scholars at home and abroad also define idioms.The American scholar An

24、 Moer think that idioms which fixed phrase is composed of two or more words, its meaning is different from the literal meaning of the constituent words. Luo Shiping,a domestic scholar, said, “ Idioms have relatively fixed structures and its meaning is not the simple addition of a words meaning.” (罗士

25、平,1997) Idiom has a wide meaning , generally refers to those commonly used together with a specific form of the phrase, and its inherent meaning often can not be derived from the meaning of a single word in the phrase speculated. It is a language used in the process of using a unique fixed expressio

26、n, vivid metaphor or analogy to explain profound truth. The manifestation of the idiom has beautiful syllables and temperament coordination, giving a kind of beauty. The idioms are the essence of language, with a strong national characteristics and distinctive cultural connotation.2.2The Features of

27、 IdiomThe structure of idioms is to a large extent unchangeable. The constituents of idioms cannot be changed at random without cause or reason. Idioms are fixed phrases over a long period of time. Though it is not a single word, the structure is inseparable. For example, in English idiom, “ leave n

28、o stone unturned ” can not say “ leave no brick unturned ”. Also in Chinese idiom, “ discard the false and retain the true ” can not say “ go to false and retain the true ”. Although the meaning of the former and the latter has no significant difference. But through a long time usage, people are use

29、d to saying the former, not the latter.Idioms each consist of more than one word, but each is a semantic unity. Though the various words which make up the idioms have their respective literal meanings, in the idioms they have lost their individual identity, and their meanings are not often recogniza

30、ble in the meaning of the whole idioms. For example: “一五一十”, it is not refer to “one five one ten”, but “to tell the whole story”. The key point to translate idiom is to understand the inherent meaning of the idioms. Finding out the origins of idioms is very useful to comprehend and translate idioms

31、. It can not be content with superficial understanding.Traditional idiom is widely used by the members in the society. It is often said in a variety of social situations, and has a rich cultural connotations. The idiom form is very vivid, and its metaphor is good. It embodies the customs and habits

32、of the nation, and is loved by the people. Also the masses are widely used and recognized.So many idioms have a strong characteristic of life.2.3The Differences between English and Chinese IdiomIdioms are created by thelabouringpeople who is at work, and it is closely related to the environment and

33、human life. Therefore, idioms are inextricably linked with geographical environment, historical background, and economic life of a nation. Idiom is like a mirror, can clearly reflect the culture of a nation. English and Chinese cultures are totally different. Chinese idiom has a close relation with

34、the Chinese culture. However, English idioms are bound up with British and American cultures. Chinese and English language has a wealth of idioms, many of which are synonymous or near-synonyms. Because they are the product of two different life experiences in different socio-geographical evironment,

35、 so idioms will be a significant domonnestration of two different national form.(1) Differences in Living EnvironmentAbrams pointed out “ Idiom was created by thelabouringpeople at work, closely related to the living environment, reflecting the colorful folk life.”（Abrams，2004）Britain is an island s

36、urrounded by the sea , and the British fisheries is well developed. In history its maritime industry is once the world leader, so there are a lot of nautical idioms in English. While Han nationality flourished in the life of the Asian continent, and peoples lives can not be separated from the land.

37、Analogy to spend a lot of money, English is the “spend money like water,” while Chinese is“spendthrift ”. There are many boats and water idioms in English,but it is not exactly the same as the corresponding idiom in Chinese language, such as “ to go with the stream”（随波逐流），“all at sea”（不知所措）, and “ t

38、o keep ones head above water”（奋力图存）. China has been an agricultural country for a long time, so the proverbs accounts for a large proportion of the idioms .For instance,斩草除根: stamp out the source of the trouble种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆: as you sow, so you reap顺藤摸瓜: follow the vine to get the melon / hunt for somebo

39、dy or something by following the traces五谷丰登: be abundant with corn（2）Differences in Social and Historical AllusionsDifferent ethnic groups have different historical and social ideology, and it also has a different history, culture, feeling, thinking, and customs. Chinese allusion and English allusio

40、n have their own national roots respectively, in which there is rare similarity. But both of them are mainly from historical event, allegory, story, etc. which could help us get its figurative meaning. In Chinese, many allusions are drawn from literary works. For instance,万事俱备，只欠东风：everything is rea

41、dy, and all thats needed is an east wind / all is ready except what is crucial完璧归赵：return the jade intact to the State of Zhao / return something to its owner in perfect condition But many English allusions involve events or characters from the English literature, especially from Shakespeares works.

42、 For instance,That is all Greek to me:我对此一窍不通All is well that ends well:结果好就一切都好Achilles heel:唯一致命弱点Pandoras box:潘多拉之盒灾难、麻烦、祸害的根源（3）Differences in CustomsChinese-English two nations have a long history, and the Chinese and English nations form their own unique customs in the long production life, su

43、ch as holidays, married life, daily habits, etc. So there are many differences in social customs between Chinese and English languages. In Chinese idiom, many of the festival comes from the agricultural life, such as the Spring Festival (春节), while most of the English festival associated with Christ

44、ianity, such as Thanksgiving (感恩节). In traditional China, marriage is decided by the elders, like “ parents face of matchmaker”（父母之命，媒妁之言）. While the marriage in England is decided by their the individual wishs , just as“ fall in love at first sight ”（一见钟情）.(4) Differences in Religious BeliefsReligi

45、ous belief is also one of the important parts in humans spiritual activities and it plays an influential role in national culture. Buddhism has great influence on chinese customs and thinking. Hence, many chinese idioms are related to Buddhism. For instances,临时抱佛脚: embrace Buddhas feet in ones hour

46、of need / seek help at the last moment放下屠刀，立地成佛: drop ones cleaver and become a Buddha / achieve salvation as soon as one gives up evil借花献佛: present Buddha with borrowed flowers佛要金装，人要衣装: as Buddha needs a gilt statue, man needs fine clothesHowever, many people in the west believe in Christianity an

47、d so the English idioms reflect the influence of Christianity. The images of “God” and “devil” are often found in some English idioms. For instance,God helps those who help themselves: 自助者天助之God sends fortune to fools: 傻人有傻福As poor as the church mouse: 像教堂里的老鼠一样穷From the above-mentioned English and

48、Chinese idioms, it can be infered that Buddha is powerful in Buddhism and God is mighty in Christianity. The Chinese people adore the Buddha and the westerners show respect to the God.III.Domestication and ForeignizationThe two translation strategies, domestication and foreignization may be new to the Chinese, but the concepts they carry