Abstract

As the essential part of English and Chinese language, idioms have a long history and cultural heritage. The production and use in their respective cultures show their characteristics. English and Chinese are two kinds of highly developed languages, so they both have a large number of idioms, which are the important figures of speech in the language. Idiom translation has always been a difficult point of translation. Only when we understand the specific cultural implication behind idioms, can we properly translate idioms. From the aspects of environment, customs, religion and history, this paper expounds the cultural differences in English translation of Chinese idioms and discusses how to make a flexible use of strategies in translating English and Chinese idioms, so as to achieve the purpose of using idioms accurately.

Key words: Chinese and English idioms; idiom translation; cultural differences

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Definition and Characteristics of Idioms-1

2.1 Definition of idioms-1

2.2 Characteristics of idioms-2

3. Cultural Differences Between English Idioms and Chinese Idioms-4

3.1 Environmental differences-4

3.2 Tranditional differences-5

3.3 Religious beliefs-6

3.4 Historical experiences-7

4. Methods of English Idioms and Chinese Idioms Translation-7

4.1 Literal translation-8

4.2 Nestification-9

4.3 Paraphrase-10

4.4 Noting-11

5. Conclusion-11

References-12