English Translation of Chinese Four Character Expressions
Abstract
The English translation of Chinese four character expressions is becoming a hot topic in the translation field. More and more people are fond of using Chinese four character expressions because of their visual, vivid，simple features，and they are customarily characterized by four words, various structures, different sources and two implications with surface and depth. So in the course of translation, we should not take each phrase too literally but understand precisely, deeply and wholly its literal sense and extended sense.
Firstly, this thesis starts from the definition, feature and source of the Chinese four character expressions, and analyzes some attentions should be paid when translating. Then it mentions that Chinese four character expressions are special lexical phenomenons which are formed by the people’s long time use of them. By the development of language, there exists obvious cultural differences between English and Chinese phrases, and the differences cover many aspects and levels. There exists a disagreement between alienation and adaptation to deal with the culture translation. They will exist together forever. Finally this thesis refers to that it is a study of the translation methods of Chinese four character expressions into English by skills of literal translation, liberal translation, combination of literal and liberal translation, borrowing and explanation. This paper’s aim is to translate the Chinese cultural treasure—Chinese four character expressions into English and make them developed.
Key Words: Chinese four character expressions; cultural differences; alienation; adaptation; literal translation; liberal translation
摘 要
中国4字成语以其形象、生动、精辟的特点，越来越爱到各国人民的喜爱，成语的翻译已经成为翻译工作中的1个重要课题。4字成语为习用的固定词组，由4个字组成，组织多样，来源不1,且多具有表层与深层两层含义。因此，中国4字成语的翻译比较复杂。在翻译时，应确切、深刻、完整地理解每1个成语的本意和引申意，不能只从字面上来望文生义。
本文将先从中国4字成语的定义、特点、起源入手，这样对其有1个整体上的把握，并分析了在英译时应注意的.几点。接着提到因为成语是人们长期使用所形成的1种特殊的词汇现象，语言的发展使英汉成语的文化涵义具有明显的差异，这些差异是多方面的、多层次的。翻译中的文化因素1直存在着“异化”和“归化”之争。通过分析得出异化与归化将永远并存。最后提到文章旨在通过直译、意译、直译与意译相结合、借用、注释等方法来探讨4字成语的英译技巧。掌握了基本的翻译技巧有肋于我们发扬传播中国文化瑰宝—4字成语。
关键词:中国4字成语、文化差异、异化、归化、直译、意译