On the Source and Translation of English Allusions and Idioms20.doc

On the Source and Translation of English Allusions and IdiomsAbstract: Allusions and idioms are fixed phrases that go through the test of history and cannot be treated separately. In order to be loyal to the original text, the translation of English allusions and idioms should not only keep the original taste of the source, but also meet the standards of writing. Because English allusions and idioms have absorbed the different national cultures of ancient Greek, ancient Rome, and Northern Europe, they are more typical and representative than other forms of language on reflecting the cultural diversity. And the author puts forward four concrete translation methods as follows. They are literal translation, free translation, borrowing and literal translation with annotation. In the trend of cultural globalization, culture among various nationalities permeate and stick together mutually. And the readers ability to accept and appreciate the new cultural imagery has improved day by day. All the significance of this paper is to convey the allusions and idioms cultural information as much as possible, which is very useful for the language learning and communication. Key Words: idioms; allusion; source; translation methods摘 要: 典故和习语是指那些经受了历史的长期考验,千锤百炼而形成的固定词组。为了忠于原文,典故和习语的翻译既要保持源语的原汁原味,也要符合译入语语言文字的需求。因为英语典故和习语吸收了众多来自古希腊，古罗马，北欧古代神话等欧洲各民族的文化精髓，所以在体现语言的文化差异方面,习语比其他语言成分更具有典型性和代表性。具体的方法有：直译法，意译法，借用法，直译加注。在当前文化全球化的时代背景下，各民族间的文化相互渗透和融合的趋势愈来愈强。人们对于外来文化的接纳以至欣赏能力也日渐提高。本文认为在翻译的过程中应尽量将源语言的文化信息翻译出来，以促进世界文化的交流和语言的学习。关键词: 习语；典故；来源；翻译方法CONTENTSAbstract1Introduction 1Charter 1 Introducing English Allusions and Idioms 21.1Definitions of English Allusions and Idioms 21.2Characteristics of English Allusions and Idioms31.3 The sources of English Allusions and Idioms7Charter 2 Translation Methods of English Allusions and Idioms 162.1Allusion and Idioms from Literal Translation162.2 Allusion and Idioms from Free Translation182.3 Allusion and Idioms from Borrowing212.4 Allusion and Idioms from Literal Translation with Annotation22Conclusion25Notes26Bibliography27Acknowledgements28IntroductionEnglish allusions and idioms are the essence of a language, which have strong national colors and distinctive cultural connotations. The traditional translation methods are too subjective, and functional equivalence viewpoint that translation just for communication Nida proposed is too objective. In order to be loyal to the original text, the translation of English allusions and idioms should not only keep the original taste of the source, but also meet the standards of writing, especially for mythology and works. The first chapter will introduce the definitions, semantic and cultural characteristics and the sources of English allusions and idioms to make the readers have a well-understanding of English allusions and idioms to avoid wrong-use. The second chapter will introduce some concrete motheds of translating English allusions and idioms with examples. The translation methods are literal translation, free translation, borrowing, literal translation with annotation. When translating English allusions and idioms, we should keep faithful to the original, retaining the original idioms vividness , rich association, rhetorical effects, national and local colors, meanwhile, we should try our best to do the translation more vividly and more expressively. This paper is to convey the allusions and idioms cultural information as much as possible, which is very useful for the language learning and communication.Chapter 1 Introducing English Allusions and IdiomsEnglish as an international language, its usage is wide-ranging. Many countries choose English as their official language. What is more, sixty percent of broadcasting in the world use English to propagate their information. The ancient Greek mythologies, Roman myths and fairy tales of northern Europe are the publicly owned wealth of European nations. They have deep influence on development of whole European culture in which many stories provide source materials for English idioms and allusions. Therefore, English idioms and allusions take in any word that can represent the main European culture. And it is more typical and representative than others in reflecting the cultural diversity. Just like Bacon said: Talent, quick-witted and spirit in a nation can all be found in its idioms.1 1.1 Definitions of English Allusions and IdiomsAccording to Websters New Collegiate Dictionary, allusion is an implied or indirect reference, especially, when used in literature.2“This assumption is based on the knowledge or belief that their readers share with them a common historical, cultural and literary heritage, which enable the readers to identify the allusions and to understand their significance.”3 People like to use the indirect references to characters or events from culture: legends, literature, history, religion, and so on, to enrich their speech or writing, and then allusions came to being. The sources of English allusions are inexhaustible. We can find them not only from the newspapers, literature, but also in peoples daily conversations. Every aspect of human life is a source of allusions. Meanwhile, they affect the western culture greatly. People like to quote the figures or events from the history, legends, literature or religion in their daily life, which are known as alluion. Allusion of one nation has the colorful connotations. It is a kind of culture and can be seen in different cultures. It appears in almost every aspect of the society, such as politics, economy, ideas, names, even peoples daily life. English allusion with cultural value and connotations is an important part of English language culture and the rich heritage of English nations. It can enrich the language and be helpful to exchange peoples ideas at the same time. It has extensive sources with various forms and shows a strong influence upon peoples life. If one hasnt the sufficient knowledge of the historical backgrounds of English allusion, it is difficult for him to understand them properly, which is not good for communication.   The word “idiom” possesses several meanings. It may be defined as “the language of a people or a country”; or “a dialect” as in “Cantonese idiom”. It may also be defined, according to Oxford Advanced Learners English-Chinese Dictionary, as “phrase or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its individual words and which must be learned as a whole unit”4. The second definition is a kind of a set phrase or sentence fixed by long usage. 1.2Characteristics of English Allusions and Idioms1.2.1 Semantic CharacteristicsAn English allusion and idiom is characterised by semantic unity and structural stabiliby. It is a set expression made up of two or more words. The sense of the combination cannot be explained in terms of its constituent parts. In other words, an allusion or idiom functions as a unit of meaning which cannot be predicted from the literal meaning of its member words. For instance, “do sb. well” means “provide food, comforts, etc. for”, as in “They do you very well at the hotel”. Structurally analysed, the form of an allusion or idiom is set and only a limited number of idioms can be said or written in any other way without destroying the meaning of the allusion or idiom. Many of them are completely rigid and cannot show up in any other form whatever. For example, in the idiom “in the same boat ”, the word “boat ” can not be replaced by “ship”. Substitution of the other will break the semantic unity of the idiom. Another example is “kick the bucket”. If this idiom is passivized, it will appear in an unacceptable form such as the bucket was kicked by Jhon, which no longer means that Jhon died. Rather it means that Jhon struck a pail with his foot.In most cases no reason can now be given as to how or why a particular idiomatic phrase has assumed its present form. Most allusions and idioms can be said to be demotivated linguistic units. The combinaton of two or more words into an allusion or idiom is conventional and arbitray. There is no way to explain why s is not added to the verb “cut” in the idiomatic expression “Diamon cut diamond, crook cut crook.” But in “Like cures like”, the verb “cure” is used with s attached to it.Allusions and Idioms differ from free phrases in that the meaning of the latter can be deduced from the literal meaning of the constituent parts. Compare “a red tape ” with “red tape”, for example. The former is a free phrase referring to “a red strip of material used for tying up parcel,etc.” and the latter is an idiomatic phrase meaning “excessive official formality”.The idiomaticity of an expression can be tested by different means. If a verb + particle expression is a semantic unit, it is possible to substitute for it a single word of equivalent meaning. For instance, idiomatic expressions such as “step up (social status), lay on (transport) and abide by (discipline)” can be respectively replaced by their single Romance equivalentsenhance,provide, observe.Idomaticity can also be tested in another way. If “step up, lay on and take up” are semantic units, it should not be possible to destroy that unity by either removing the particle component or replacing the verb components with other verb of similar meaning. Deletion of the particles will make nonsense of the above examples. Neither can the verb components of these idiomatic expressions be replaced by other semantically equivlent verbs, e.g. push up social status, place on transport, keep by dicipline.1.2.2 Cultural CharacteristicsLanguage is a part of culture and plays a very important part in it. Different languages in different nations reflect their own cultural features. Being a special kind of language, allusions and idioms indicate the peculiar features of culture. The most important features are national feature and folk feature. Allusions and idioms are created by the public and have a closely relationship with people and the peoples environment. From English allusions and idioms, we can see the English histroy, daily life, custom, beliefs,outlooks of value and minds. Allusions and idioms, as a mirror, can clearly reflect the features of a nations culture. People on the earth have the similar experience and sense. For example, there are many allusions and idioms talking about heart.heart and soul 全心全意heart to heart 贴心地，坦率地 All kinds of languages are from folks. The daily life of the common people created allusions and idioms. So many English allusions and idioms are made by sailors from the sea, hunters in the forests, farmers in the fields, house- wives from all kinds of families and so on. Allusions and idioms they made are their experiences and tastes of their lives. For example, the original meaning of “another cup of tea” is “另一杯茶”, but now the meaning is “另一回事”：e.g. Even if you read French easily, youll find its another cup of tea to make conversation in French. 即使觉得读法语不难，你仍然发现用法语对话完全是另一回事。Many allusions and idioms derivated from every walk of life:Blacksmiths said, a good anvil does not fear the hammer. (好砧不怕锤打。)Shoe-makers said, the cobblers wife is the worst shod. (鞋匠的老婆没鞋穿。)Carpenters said, such carpenters, such chips. (什么木匠出什么活。)Dressmakers said, cut the coat according to the cloth. (看布裁衣。)Farmers said, as a man sows, so shall he reap. (种什么,收什么。)Fisherfolks said, the best fish swim near the bottom. (好鱼居水底。)Hunter said, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. (双鸟在林不如一鸟在手。)Millers said, all is grist that comes to his mill. (到他磨里都成米。)Gold diggers said, all is not gold that glitters. (发光的未必都是金子。)House-wives said, a stitch in time saves nine. (一针及时省九针。)1.3 The Sources of English Allusions and IdiomsNow every side of social life becomes a constant provider of allusions and idioms in English language. They are based on kinds of living enviornment, historical events, historical figures, folk tales or legends, classical works, myths, etc, which are either familiar to the majority of the people, or familiar to most educated people, such as playwrights, poets, musicians, and so on. Lets look at the sources of English allusions first. 1.3.1 Allusions and Idioms from Mythology The source of the English can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman civilization. Both the languages of Greek and Roman belong to the Indo-European, and they have exerted a great influence upon other nations language and culture in Indo-European, like English. Most of drawing, poetry, sculpture, architecture and custom in English are in relation to Greco-Roman mythology. It is no exaggeration to say that Greco-Roman mythic stories have permeated through every aspect of western culture. The stories and heroic legends have come into large profound allusions and idioms and often alluded by people. It is natural that the classical Greek and Roman mythic stories are the common and important source of allusions and idioms in English. The following are some examples. (1) A Pandoras box: It means a plentiful source of troubles or disaster. It derived from the Greek mythology. The story is that Pandora, the first woman who was punished and sent to the earth by the gods as a form of punishment, was forbidden to open the box sent by the gods. When she opened it at last out of curiosity, all the evils in the box flew out to trouble the earth with endless disaster, and only hope left inside when the box was closed. So the phrase often indicates something which may seem good, but which brings troubles at last.e.g. The plan, which seemed so promising, turned out to be a Pandoras box. This sentence means that the plan was hopeless actually and brought many troubles at last.(2) Achilles heel: It comes from the Greek mythology which has the meaning “the one weak spot in a mans circumstances or character”. In Greek epic, his mother took Achilles upside down into the Styx when he was a child. So he was arms-proof except his heel because it was held in his mothers hand. Therefore in Troy war, he died for Paris shot a poisoned arrow into his heel.e.g. What will it be when the increase of the yearly production is brought to a complete stop? Here is the vulnerable place, the heel of Achilles, for capitalistic production.（F. Engels:The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844）The sentence means the weak spot of capitalistic production is that the yearly production stops to rise.(3) Trojan horse: It means the hidden danger. It originated from the story of huge wooden horse which was towed into Troy, without knowing that it was left by U