【中英翻译】论英语典故与习语的来源与翻

论英语典故与习语的来源与翻译Abstract 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 idioms should not only keep the original taste of the source, but also meet the standards of writing, especially for mythology and allusion. Because English idioms have manifested and absorbed the different national culture of ancient Greek, ancient Rome, and Northern Europe, it is more typical and representative than other forms of language on reflecting the cultural diversity. Domestication and foreignization are two main methods of translation. And there are some concrete translation skills as follows： Literal translation Free translation Borrowing 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 the new cultural imagery has improved day by day. Therefore so long as not to affect the understanding of source language, the author advocates translating English idioms directly as far as possible to carry on the culture, which promotes the exchange and fusion of culture all over the world.Key Words idioms; allusion; translation methods【摘 要】 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,习语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。尤其在翻译习语中的神话典故时更应注意以下三点译入语结构的平衡译出源语的民族特色和地域色彩尽可能保留源语的形象。因为英语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。基本的英语翻译方法有归化和异化，具体体现如下：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、异国情调的包容、接纳以至欣赏能力也日渐提高。因此,作者认为只要在不影响译语读者理解的前提下,应提倡尽量以文化直入模式进行习语翻译,以促进世界文化的交流与融合。【关键词】 习语；神话典故；翻译方法 IntroductionWhen opening Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English, one can see such an entry：“Idiom （n.） Phrase or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit.” And English translation theoretician Peter Newmark also said：“An idiom is a current and frequently used group of words whose meaning is not clear from the common meanings of its constituent words”. In brief, idioms are fixed phrases that go through the test of history and cannot be separated. So the whole meaning usually cannot be surmised in translation and the components must not be separated at ones ease. BackgroundEnglish as an international language, its usage is wideranging. Many countries choose English as their official language. What is more, sixty percent of broadcasting in the world use English to propagate their information. Of course, there are many idioms in English and parts of them are loanwords. The features of assimilating loanwords in English are evident. On the one hand, it belongs to Germanic language family that enables it to take possession of the common words in Germanic language. On the other hand, English keeps in touch with French and Roman language family closely for a long time. 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. Therefore, English idioms 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, quickwitted and spirit in a nation can all be found in its idioms. The sources of English idioms As everyone knows, idioms come from different aspects：different living environments; everyday life; religion; historical events; literary works and mythology and allusion. Idioms from different living environments Idioms are closely related to peoples labor and life, because people in a particular culture need words to name and explain objects and appearance present in that culture. The Han People, live on land, and belong to an agrarian society that places agricultural production at the top of the national agenda. During the long history of farming, the Chinese language has accumulated large numbers of farmers idioms like 瑞雪兆丰年 （a time snow promises a good harvest）, 五谷丰登（abundant harvest of all food crops）. While British live in an island country, probably have idioms about water and sailing. For example, we speak挥金如土in Chinese，but we should render it into English as “spend money like water”. And there are similar examples as follows：“to keep ones head about water” （奋力图存），“in full sail” （全力以赴）, “tower ones sail” （甘拜下风）.What is more, there come different special products determined by the different geographical surroundings. For example, “like mushrooms” and “spring up like mushrooms” in English , means 像蘑菇一样, and 雨后春笋般地涌现 in Chinese. Both of them have the same meaning of the great development of a thing, but they use their respective things to form the metaphor, because China abounds wit