文化差异对汉语典故英译的影响

Abstract摘要

 

Allusions are the phrase of the kind that people in long-term practice and use the language to extract the crystallization.
典故是那种人们在长期的实践和使用的语言中提取的结晶短语。The main origin of the allusion are ancient classics, historical stories, well-known works, folklore and so on, it includes lots of rich cultural information, the allusion reflected a strong ethnic characteristics, It bears characteristics of different national and cultural information, This paper mainly talks about the influence of Chinese and Western culture in allusion translation from three aspects and the approaches of translating them in four different methods. It shows us the differences between Chinese and Western culture in many aspects，such as natural environment，social customs，religions and believes. According to the influence of the different cultural aspects，several methods about how to translate Chinese allusions properly and exactly are shown in this paper. Only in this way，can we translate Chinese allusions well and promote the Chinese culture to the world. 

只有这样，我们才可以翻译中国典故以及推动中国文化走向世界。

Keywords: Chinese allusions; cultural difference; allusion translation;http://www.ukassignment.org/uklunwen/

关键词：中国典故，文化差异;典故翻译;

Contents目录

Introduction 1

1.Influence of Chinese and Western Cultural Difference on Chinese Allusion Translation .2

1.1 Influence of Different Natural Environment 2

1.2 Influence of Different Social Customs 3

1.3 Influence of Different Religions and Believes 4

2. Approaches of Translating allusions 5

2.1 Literal Translation 5

2.2 Replacement 6

2.3 Free Translation 7

2.4 Literal Translation with a Note 8

Conclusion 10

Bibliography 11

Acknowledgements 12

Introduction 1

1.Influence of Chinese and Western Cultural Difference on Chinese Allusion Translation .2

1.1 Influence of Different Natural Environment 2

1.2 Influence of Different Social Customs 3

1.3 Influence of Different Religions and Believes 4

2. Approaches of Translating allusions 5

2.1 Literal Translation 5

2.2 Replacement 6

2.3 Free Translation 7

2.4 Literal Translation with a Note 8

Conclusion 10

Bibliography 11

Acknowledgements 12

 

Influence of Cultural Differences on Chinese Allusion Translation

文化差异对汉语典故英译的影响

Introduction介绍

ALLUSIONS ARE GEMS of the language. As we all know, Chinese has a large number of unique allusions; in form, they are brief while profound in meaning. 语言典故是十分具有价值的产物。正如我们都知道，中国拥有大量独特的典故的形式，他们是简短而富有深刻的意义的。All these allusions contain rich cultural implications. Here, as the essence of language, it carries rich cultural information, fully influenced by the cultural differences between English and Chinese. If one does not know the cultural heritage of allusions fully, he or she may be puzzled by the connotation, and surely can not translate it properly and correctly, or even make mistakes. As far as their underlying cultural information is concerned, many allusions are completely or partial equivalent both in Chinese and in English but some others have nothing in common at all. Because of natural environment, history, social customs differences, carries Chinese allusions two cultures of different ethnic characteristics and cultural information. Therefore, the translation of Chinese allusions translated out of the original language to the image of allusion is not enough; we should translate out of their national characteristics and local characteristics, and fully focuses on its cultural differences. This paper explores the influence of cultural differences between Chinese and English on allusions and gives some specific and practice approaches in translation of Chinese allusions translation.本文探讨中文和英文之间的文化差异的影响的典故，并在中国典故翻译的过程中给出了一些具体的做法。

The main idea of allusion translation is to deal with the conflict between language and culture, it is not only translated the original language allusion, figurative meaning, rhetorical image, but also translated their cultural significance. Such as the allusion 'sit back and wait' is an ancient Chinese story, if translated into the stand by a stump waiting for the appearance of a hare, would be perplexing. If you adhere to the old translation methods and do not accept to have a chance and unexpected changes or trust, although the expression has its meaning, the story of cultural identity is gone, and so undesirable. If you want to deal with English translation well, you should pay more attention to the influence of cultural differences between Chinese and English on allusions and the key is the use of allusion and cultural differences in perspective.

1. Influence of Chinese and Western Cultural Difference on Chinese Allusion Translation  中国和西方文化差异对中国典故翻译的影响

As we all know, different countries have different cultures. 'Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one category of people from another.' (Hofstede, 1991) Difference of Chinese and western culture do exist in our daily life. The relationship between culture and translation has attracted so many translators and interpreters presented their own views on it, through their theories are different in some parts , the main ideas contained in their theories are quite similar and those different parts of their theories are mutually complementary. According to their theories, all of them had expressed at view that cultural differences have leaded many difficulties in allusion translation. Neglection of Chinese and western cultural difference in translation may lead some mistakes that will result some bad results. However, pay attention to these cultural differences will reduce chances to make mistakes to the greatest degree. Therefore, cultures and causes of their diversities contain in the target language (TL) are the most important factors to understand first. It is a well-known fact that Chinese and English cultures are expressed in totally different ways in their own daily life. In the following aspects all these differences between Chinese and English are embodied: different natural environment, different social customs, and different religions and believes. 所有这些中文和英文之间的差异体现在以下几个方面，不同的自然环境，不同的社会习俗，不同的宗教以及信仰。

1.1 Influence of Different Natural Environment 不同的自然生态环境的影响

The formation of a national culture is one of the most important parts in the natural environment. People who come from different countries have to fight with the natural environment for surviving and making production in order to support them, therefore, the different natural environment has produced lots of allusions. There is no doubt that Britain is the birthplace of English, and the British culture is formed under the influence of the special geographical environment. The environment also influenced on English simultaneously. Britain’s geographical environment is very different from other countries ,which is an island surrounded by sea, and is not very far from the European continent, so it has a long coastline, its maritime transport is the local important position, there is no doubt that its’ navigation is quite advanced. Life is often likened to the British people to sailing. Its’ culture has a close relation with the sea. In its history it was famous for its important status in navigation. So many English allusions have a relation with the sea life. However，the Yellow River Basin is the home of ancient Chinese culture, long and splendid Huaxia civilization has cultivated and bred the unique Yellow River culture, which led to China’s unique modes of production and life-styles. China is a typical agricultural country and has a large population involved in agriculture. So people emphases more on farming than any other things. China is a typical agricultural country, with a large population involved in agriculture. So the agriculture should be emphasized more than any other things must be taken seriously. So there are many allusions have a relation with agriculture. such as: 守株待兔 Sitting by a stump, waiting for a careless hare; 揠苗助长 Pulling up seedlings to help them grow. 汉:挥金如土(throw money like mud)  英: Spend money like water.#p#分页标题#e#

1.2 Influence of Different Social Customs不同的社会习俗的影响

Social Customs is a key aspect of cultural differences, often reflected by the allusion, especially for the animal image. There are many differences in social customs between Chinese and English languages. The most obvious is the people’s attitude about the dragon and the dog. Chinese and Western culture in the image of the dragon is completely contradictory. Traditional Chinese culture the dragon is a symbol of good luck, and the dragon is always compliment on the allusion, such as “望子成龙”long to see one’s son become a dragon (i.e. win success in the world); “龙凤呈祥”the dragon and he phoenix bringing prosperity—excellent good fortune. But in western fairy tales, dragon is an evil monster, breathing fire and having wings. So dragon always stands for evil things, the person who is arrogant, domineering and annoying will be described as “a dragon”. 

   Dogs in Chinese stand a lower and humble status. We can find the following allusion like: “狐朋狗友”，  “act as a snob”； “狗尾续貂”， “a dog’s  tail joined to sable—(of a literary work) a wretched sequel to a fine work”； “狗咬吕洞宾”， “snarl and snap at lv Dongbin (one of the eight immortals in Chinese mythology)—wrong a kind-hearted person”. In these allusion， the word “dog” points to bad things and it has the derogatory sense. We use these phrases to criticize somebody. While， in western culture like England， people always regard dogs as their loyal friends. In English allusion， the dog’s image is often used to indicate human characteristics: “every dog has his day”， “凡人皆有得意时”， “love me， love my dog”， “爱屋及乌”. In the Chinese language all these allusion is not derogatory. They are used to compliment or praise someone. Just a small word 'dog' has so many differences in the translation. If we do not know the difference but make direct conversion, we will create a joke. This will enable the reader puzzled.

1.3 Influence of Different Religions and Believes 不同宗教和信仰的影响

Language and religion are closely related. Religious culture has played an important role in peoples’ historical development. It affects not only economy，science， literature, but also human thoughts and behaviors for a long time. Since the ancient times, the Western world has been strongly influenced by Christianity. Their language is especially influenced by the classic work of Christianity—the Bible. Jesus is seen in humans in the world of God's representatives. He emphasizes that people should get along with other people, and be responsible for their country and others. However, people should obey God. God is omnipotent and omnipresent, and he is the only one that people should worship and respect. So the Westerners firmly believe that “God provides for him that trusts.” “That never ends ill which begins in God’s name.” “Truth is the daughter of God.” “God helps those who help themselves.” “Man proposes, God disposes.” Though God is above all, Christianity believes that in the human world, every man is equal, so “Every man is a King in his own house.” “A cat may look at a King.”

During the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) and Tang Dynasty (618-907AD), Buddhism was introduced to China. As the only foreign system of thought which made a profound impact on Chinese civilization before modern times, it preached that if people discard illusions and only do good things, they will become Buddhas after death. So now people still often say, “放下屠刀，立地成佛”(to throw away one’s butcher knife and become a Buddha). There are many allusion from Buddhism， such as  “借花献佛”， “present Buddha with borrowed flowers”. However，China is a country with many religious. Taoism influence Chinese culture well, which believes that people can go to heaven and be long-lived through some special practice. A few Chinese allusion are from Taoist thought, such as “一人得道，鸡犬升天” (If a man becomes immortal, even his hen and dog become immortal too).