The Translation of English Idioms and Proverbs(2)
2013-07-28 01:28
导读：3. Mechanical application of the synonymous Chinese proverbs Though there are widely differences between the two languages of English and Chinese, yet there are many communicating proverbs, they and a
3. Mechanical application of the synonymous Chinese proverbs
Though there are widely differences between the two languages of English and Chinese, yet there are many communicating proverbs, they and all accord with in the content in form, i.e. mode of thinking and result to a certain concrete problem, and concrete expression form, often have the tendency to happen to coincide with, and the one that played the same tune on different musical instruments is wonderful. In this case, translating the Chinese proverb that might as well apply the synonym mechanically in Chinese of English proverb. Such as,
Strike while the iron is hot. (趁热打铁。)
When wine is in truth is out. (酒后吐真言。)
Habit is a second nature. (习惯成自然。)
Practice makes perfect. (熟能生巧。)
Forgive others but not yourself. (责己严，则人宽。)
Walls have ears. (隔墙有耳。)
English proverbs are multitudinous, there is only occupy a small part eventually which corresponds with Chinese proverbs, when translation, we should not chase corresponding views of the strip to seek two languages, that is not only a futile effort, moreover can appear farfetched, nondescript. When there are not only the same significances and hides righteousness in the two languages, moreover same or the more or less the same image and the analogy, or the same ways of expression reasons, English proverb to Chinese translation can adopt apply mechanically the synonymy Chinese proverb.
4. Literal translation and free translation
Sometimes in order to express the original meaning more precise, more effectively, remedy it in some cases, the weakness not very obvious yet of meaning after literal translation, we can adopt the literal translation and free translation method to translate English proverbs. After literal translation, translate meaning out, it is in the hope of achieving the result of the crucial touch. Such as,
Every bird likes its own nest. (鸟爱自己的巢，人爱自己的家。)
（转载自科教范文网http://fw.nseac.com） Let sleeping dogs lie. (睡狗莫愁，麻烦莫招。)
In summary, the translation of English proverbs must manifest its bright national characteristic, the profound thought and excellent artistic these three major characteristics, moreover pay attention to its cultural connotation, therefore, in translation, we must deliberate repeatedly, the words must be concise, the sentences must be succinct, and pay attention to the sound, for achieving to read smoothly, by advantageous for the memory. So translating English proverbs well can have a very big help to enhance our English accomplishment and the expression ability without doubt.
B. Points of translation
1. The literal translation of proverbs prohibited.
Generally speaking, the proverb to be supposed concise and to be easy to understand, this causes us making an interpret literally mistake easily when we translate proverbs. In fact proverb is rich of content, the constitution is complex, has profound implications, and often deliberates carefully. Such as,
“Fine feathers make fine birds.” It is always understood as “Buddha wants the gold plating, the human wants the clothing.” But its deeply meaning is “It is said of an overdressed person who does not really up to his or her clothes.”
Another example, “Honey is not for the ass’s mouth.” In dictionary, the proverb means for “Tiger isn’t suitable for choice food”, but its meaning itself is “Persuasion will not persuade fools.\The gentle words will not divert the anger of the unreasonable.”
So much for mistakes of these examples above, are caused by interpretation literally.
2. The translation of proverbs to keep the original text style
We should pay attention to the translation of same idioms, but that don’t have any change .Whereas according to the text ,and have a suitable treat. such as”谋事在人,成事在天”always translated into:” Man proposes, God disposes.” but in some sentence, it can’t change.
（科教作文网http://zw.NSEaC.com编辑发布） For example: rack one’s brain cudgel one’s brain. in different Chinese .upon the text .it can translated into:绞尽脑汁,挖空心思,苦思冥想,费劲心机,煞费苦心,搜索枯肠,殚思极虑and so on.
方案一公布,大家就七嘴八舌的议论开了.Publication of the draft plan touched off a lively discussion with everybody eager to put in a word. .In the last sentence ,it can’t add to “with seven mouths and tongues” .the foreigner couldn’t understand.
It’s not meaning that all proverbs can be translated clearly, sometimes, few old proverbs from the Bible or old famous writes can be translated literally, they will match the appearance of original texts. For example, “A soft answer turned away wrath.” is from the Bible, we can translate it as “不妨可以释怒”. “Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.” is from Romeo and Juliet of Shakespeare, we can translate it as “欲速则不达”.
3. The translation of proverbs to notice the national characteristic
