Abstract

Any kind of translation activity, including proverb translation, is closely linked with culture. Different countries have different proverbs because of the differences on geography, traditional customs, religions and so on. Proverb translation is a form of intercultural communication. The differences between Chinese and Western cultures play an important role in proverb translation. In order to translate proverbs properly, we should choose different translation methods when we translate different proverbs. The present study will examine the influences of geography, traditional cognition, religions, historical stories and literature works and dietary habit on proverb translation. This paper will find the differences in these aspects between China and English, and give detail analysis. The paper also focuses on four translation methods, which are very common in daily translation. Different kinds of proverbs need to be translated by different translation methods, so it is very important to choose the suitable translation methods. After knowing the cultural differences and choosing the proper translation methods when you want to translate English proverbs into Chinese, we can have an effective communication. 

Key words: structures of proverbs; cultural differences; translation methods

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction-5

2 Definition of Proverbs-5

3 Features of English Proverbs-6

3.1 Simple and Concise-….6 

3.2 Full of Figures of Speech-7

3.2.1 Parallelism-7

3.2.2 Alliteration-8

3.2.3 Simile-8

3.2.4 Personification-9

3.2.5 Antithesis-9

3.2.6 Hyperbole-10

3.2.7 Pun-11

4 Cultural Factors of English Proverbs..11

4.1 The Definition of Culture-11

4.2 Geography-12

4.3 Religions-13

4.4 Traditional Cognition-14

4.4.1 Dog-14

4.4.2 Dragon-15

4.4.3 Bat-15

4.4.4 Other Animals-15

4.5 Historical Stories and Literature Works-15

4.6 Dietary Habit-16

5 Methods for Translating English Proverbs-16

5.1 Literal Translation-16

5.2 Free Translation-17

5.3 Literal Translation Combined with Free Translation-18

5.4 Substitution Translation-19

6 Conclusion-20

References