Abstract

Nowadays, with the strengthening of the economical globalization, the cultural communication between China and western countries have become increasingly important and close. Translation among them is used widely, thus to understand the differences between Chinese and English culture is imperative.  

Language is the carrier of culture, and idioms are the essence of one language, carrying strong cultural features. The idiom is an expression, maybe a word or a short phrase that has figurative meanings. It is usually seen by common use. And the idiom, originated from daily life, can be implicitly humorous and profoundly meaningful. Animals are friends of human beings, and a large number of idioms in Chinese and English are with animals as the metaphors. With the development and process of human society, many people make close relationship with animals, and they associate their feelings and emotions, even some natural phenomena with various animals, to show their happiness or sadness. Gradually, the animal words got their established connotations in their native languages. 

Different geographical environment, historical tradition, aesthetics and language pronunciation has produced different cultural connotation in Chinese and English animal idioms, and both of them keep their own identities. Translation is not only a conversion process of information, but a cross-cultural communication activity. By taking some typical animal idioms as examples, comparing the similarities and differences between them, analyzing the potential factors, and discussing the translation strategy, this paper is of great importance on the communication between the language of Chinese and English. And as for cross-cultural communication, it can help the understanding, respect and fusion of two national cultures, making the communication more smoothly. 

Key words: animal idiom; cultural connotation; translation

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

ChapterⅠIntroduction-1

1.1 The significance of the Research-1

1.2 Methodology and Data Collection-1

1.3 Layout of the Research-1

ChapterⅡLiterature Review-3

2.1 Cultural Connotation and Idioms-3

2.2An Overview of Previous Studies on Animal Idiom-4

ChapterⅢ Analysis of Different Cultural Connotation of Chinese and English Animal Idiom-6

3.1 A case Study of Idioms with Dragon-6

3.2 Causes of the Different Cultural Connotation in Chinese and English Animal Idioms-7

ChapterⅣ Translation of Chinese and English Animal Idioms-11

4.1 Literal Translation-11

4.2 Liberal Translation-11

4.3 Foreignization and Domestication-12

4.4 Modeled Translation-12

Conclusion-13

Reference-14