1、成语、谚语、歇后语和惯用语等,熟语的翻译 Translation of Idiomatic Phrases,成语的翻译,1. 英语中的成语 give a lick and a promise You did not wash your hands; you just gave them a lick and a promise. 敷衍塞责 bury the hatchet They had been enemies for ages, but after a fight they buried the hatchet. 偃旗息鼓；休战和好, by the cut of ones jib I s
2、ee you are a sailor by the cut of your jib. 从外表上看 backstairs influence He met the congressmen in secret to exert backstairs influence. 暗中势力；幕后人物,2. 汉语中的成语成语（idiom; set phrase）是语言中经过长期使用、锤炼而形成的固定短语，它是比词的含义更丰富而语法功能又相当于词的语言单位，而且富有深刻的思想内涵，简短精辟易记易用。,3. 能够直译的成语1). 兔死狐悲 直译：Foxes will grieve at the death of
3、 the hare. 例句：获曰：“兔死狐悲，物伤其类，吾与汝皆是各洞之主，往日无怨，何故害我？” 三国演义罗贯中“When the hare dies the fox mourns,” said Meng Huo. “One sympathizes with ones own as a rule. We are both chiefs and have been friends. I know not why you injure me?” 意译：All things are sorry for their own kind.,2). 调虎离山 直译：to lure the tiger ou
4、t of the hills 例句：“我中了他的调虎离山计啦。” 林海雪原 曲波 “Ive fallen for his luring the tiger out of the hills scheme. ” 意译：to lure the enemy from his base.,3). 走马观花 直译：to ride out on horseback to enjoy flowers 例句：调查有两种方法，一种是走马观花，一种是下马看花。 毛泽东选集 There are two ways of making investigations, one is to look at flowers
5、on horseback and the other is to get off your horse and look at them. 意译：To gain a superficial understanding through cursory observation.,4). 如坐针毡 直译：to feel as if sitting on a cushion filled with needles. 例句：且说林冲在柴大官人东庄上，听得这话，如坐针毡。 水浒传施耐庵 Lin Chong, however, was in the east village of the Lord Chai
6、 and heard all the talk of him, and when he heard it was as though he sat on a filled with needles. 意译：to feel terribly uneasy,直译法:保留原文表达方式，能最大限度在译文中再现成语中的形象和感情色彩。其他诸如： 如鱼得水 Feel just like fish getting into water 临阵磨枪 Sharpen ones spear only before going into battle 狐假虎威 The fox borrows the tigers t
7、error 对牛弹琴 Play the harp to a bull,4. 能够套译的汉语成语 一些汉语成语在意义上和英语 成语一致，但表达的形象和意象不同，可以采用套译法翻译1).挥金如土 例句：少卿兄挥金如土，为什么躲在家里用，不拿来这里我们大家玩玩？ 儒林外史吴敬梓 套译：to spend money like water I understand you spend money like water, sir. In that case, why have you been hiding at home for so long, instead of bring your money
8、here to give us all a good time.,2).打草惊蛇 例句：不要动声色，不要打草惊蛇。我们不妨看看他们如何活动。 山乡巨变周立波 套译：to wake a sleeping dog Dont say anything about it; we mustnt wake a sleeping dog. There is no harm in our keeping an eye on the sort of activities they engaged in.,3). 掌上明珠 例句：哥哥有伤心事，培培是他的掌上明珠，他们都能平安无事。 我们家的炊事员 母国政 套译：
9、the apple of ones eye My brother had gone through a personal tragedy, and Peipei was the apple of his eye; they could all get by without any trouble.,4). 骨瘦如柴 例句：他骨瘦如柴，只穿着一条夹裤和一件败色的旧薄棉袍。 日出曹禺 套译：to be a bag of bones, to be skin and bones He is a bad of bones and he is wearing only a pair of lined tr
10、ousers and an old, faded, thin wadded gown.,5). 画蛇添足 例句：将军功绩已成，威声大震，可以止矣；今若前进，尚不如意，正如画蛇添足也。 三国演义罗贯中 套译：to paint the lily General, you have won a great victory, which will bring you fame. If you attempt more, things may go wrong, and you will only paint the lily.,其他套译举例：笑掉大牙 Laugh off ones head 乱七八糟
11、At sixes and sevens 东张西望 Look right and left 抛砖引玉 To throw a sprat to catch a herring 缘木求鱼 Seek a hare in hens nest,胆小如鼠 As timid as a hare/ rabbit 瓮中之鳖 Like a rat in a hole 无风不起浪 There is no smoke without fire 挂羊头卖狗肉 Cry up wine and sell vinegar 新官上任三把火 New brooms sweep clean偷鸡不成蚀把米 Go for wool and
12、 come back shorn,5). 有些成语在英语中没有对应的表达而无法套译，也不能根据字面直译，否则读者无法接受和理解，从而造成误解； 一般则采用比较保险的意译法。 意译法，虽然难以保全成语的文化特色和具体形象，却能简洁明快地反映出成语的喻意。 眉飞色舞 Eyebrow are flying and countenance is dancing. （直译，Unacceptable） To beam with joy （意译，Acceptable）, 粗枝大叶 With big branches and large leaves （直，U） To be crude and careles
13、s （意，A） 灯红酒绿 With red lights and green wine （直，U） Dissipated and luxurious （意，A） 开门见山 To open the door and see the mountain （直，U） To come straight to the point （意，A）,其他成语意译举例：手忙脚乱 In a frantic rush 立竿见影 Get instant results 明火执仗 Do evil things openly 牵肠挂肚 Be full of anxiety and worry 快马加鞭 Speed up,藕断
14、丝连 Have not cut off relations completely 归心似箭 Be very anxious to return home 开门见山 Come straight to the point 黔驴技穷 At ones wits end 守株待兔 Trust to chance and stroke of luck,对于历史故事类或寓言类的成语，要采用意译，译出其内涵意义，直译和加注解释会使译文臃肿难懂，失去成语的精粹特点。 毛遂自荐 To volunteer ones service 南柯一梦 A fond dream or illusory joy 四面楚歌 To
15、be besieged on all sides 倾国倾城 To be exceedingly beautiful 悬梁刺股 To be extremely hard-working in ones study grind away at ones studies,谚语的翻译,1. 谚语（old saw; aphorism; proverb）是熟语的一种，是流传于民间的简练而且言简意赅的话语，多数反映了劳动人民的生活实践经验，一般都是经过口头传下来的，多是口语形式的通俗易懂的短句或韵语。2. 常用谚语举例： 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。 路遥知马力，日久见人心。 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量。 家有良
16、田千顷，不如一技随身。 人无完人，金无足赤。 养儿防老，积谷防荒。,3. 适合直译的谚语 明枪易躲，暗箭难防。 It is easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow shot from hiding. 路遥知马力，日久见人心。 As a long road tests a horses strength, so a long task proves a persons heart. 初生牛犊不怕虎 New-born calves make little of tigers.,4. 适合意译的谚语
17、此地无银三百两。 A guilty person gives himself away by conspicuously protesting his innocence. No 300 taels of silver buried here. (直译，U) 庆父不死，鲁难未已。 There will always be trouble until the trouble-maker is removed. 塞翁失马，焉知非福？ A loss may turn out to be a gain.,5. 能够套译的谚语 英语和汉语有不少非常相似或相近，含义上基本对等的谚语，可以采用套译，使译文通
18、顺而又容易理解 少见多怪。 Wonder is the daughter of ignorance. 三四个人后行。 Look before you leap. 龙生龙，凤生凤。 Like begets like. 鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利 When shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning game., 江山易改，本性难移。 A leopard can not change its spots. 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧。 While there is life, there is hope. 欲加之罪，何患无辞。 Give a dog a bad/an i
19、ll name and hang him.,惯用语的翻译,1.惯用语是一种习用的固定的词组，既有三音节为主的固定格式，又有比较灵活的结构和强烈的修辞色彩，它通过比喻等方法而获得修辞转义。2.一般多在口语中运用，用起来自然、简明、生动、有趣。比如： “吃大锅饭” “半瓶子醋” “背黑锅”、“穿小鞋”、“磨洋工”等等。,3. 适合直译或部分直译的惯用语连根拔 Tear up by the roots 及时雨 Timely rain 卷铺盖 Pack up and quit 饱眼福 Feast ones eyes on sth 咬耳朵 Whisper in ones ears,4. 需要意译的惯用语
20、门外汉 A man outside the gate/door (直，U) A layman 扣帽子 Put a cap/hat on sb (直，U) Put a label on sb 寻短见 Look for a short view (直，U) Commit suicide/ take ones own life,赔了夫人又折兵 Give ones enemy a wife and lose ones soldiers as well (直，U) Suffer a double loss instead of making a gain 说曹操，曹操就到 Mention Cao Cao
21、 and there he isTalk/Speak of the devil and he will appear.,5. 适合套译的惯用语煞风景 Be a wet blanket 拍马屁 Lick ones boots 绕圈子 Beat about the bush 摆架子 put on airs 露马脚 Let the cat out of the bag,歇后语的翻译,1. 歇后语是中国劳动人民在生活实践中创造的一种特殊语言形式，是短小、风趣、形象的语句。由前后两部分组成：前一部分起“引子”作用，像谜面，后一部分起“后衬”的作用，像谜底，十分自然贴切。 在一定的语言环境中，通常说出前半
22、截，“歇”去后半截，就可以领会和猜想出它的本意，所以就称为歇后语。,2. 常用歇后语举例： 水仙不开花 装蒜 哑巴吃黄连 有苦说不出 老爷下轿 不（步）行 老公拍扇 凄（妻）凉 空棺材出葬 目（墓）中无人 粪坑关刀 文(闻)也不能，武(捂)也不能。,百日不下雨 久情（晴） 孔夫子搬家 净是书（输） 千里送鹅毛 礼轻情意重 肉包子打狗 有去无回 山中无老虎 猴子称大王,2. 能够直译的歇后语 “咱们俩的事，一条绳拴着两蚂蚱谁也跑不了！” 骆驼祥子老舍 “We are like two grasshoppers tied to one cord: neither can get away!” 那个
23、宝玉是个“丈八的灯台 照见人家，照不见自己”的，只知嫌人家脏。这是他的房子，由着你们糟蹋。 红楼梦第十九回 曹雪芹,As for Baoyu, hes like a ten-foot lampstand that sheds light on others but none on itself. He complains that other people are dirty, yet leaves you to turn his own rooms topsy-turvy. (at sixes and sevens).,3. 能够套译的歇后语 姨奶奶犯不着来骂我，我又不是姨奶奶家买的。“梅香
24、拜把子都是奴才”罢了！这是何苦来呢！ 红楼梦第六十回 曹雪芹 Youve no call to swear at me, madam. You didnt buy me. Were all birds of a featherall slaves here. Why go for me? “你可倒好！肉包子打狗，一去不回头啊！”她的嗓门很高，和平日在车厂与车夫们吵嘴时一样。 骆驼祥子老舍 “Well, you certainly are a guy! A dog given a bone who doesnt come back for more!” Her voice was as loud
25、 as when she bawled out at the rickshaw men in the yard.,4. 需要意译的歇后语 他必审问我，我给他个“徐庶入曹营一语不发”。 骆驼祥子 老舍 He is sure to ask questions but Ill hold my tongue to begin with. 穷棒子闹翻身，是八仙过海，各显其能。 暴风骤雨周立波 When we pass from the old society to the new, each of us shows his true worth. “我在店里呢，是灯草拐杖，做不得主（柱）的。” 上海的早
26、晨周而复 “My position in the store doesnt permit me to make a decision individually. ”,文化色彩浓厚的词语翻译与文化语境,翻译是一种跨语言、跨文化的交际活动。译者除了要对语言语境进行分析之外，还必须密切留意非语言语境的因素。非语言语境，即文化语境，指的是那些对语义有着制约作用的、语言之外的因素，包括具体情景（话题、时间、地点、场合、对象）、话语使用者的主观因素（心理、情感、性格、意图）和社会背景（时代、阶级、民族、政治、文化、经济等）,“语言中几乎处处有所谓文化符号，留待译者解码（decoding）” 汉英翻译中，译
27、者首先要对汉语原文中的文化符号进行解码；解码后，译者还需要用译语将原文中的文化信息重新编码。例如： 1). 布衣蔬食A. wear clothes of cotton and eat vegetables B. wear coarse clothes and eat simple food,2). （对企业要）抓大放小 (Grasp the big one and put aside the small one) To invigorate large enterprises while releasing control over small ones3).老少边穷地区old revolut
28、ionary base areas, areas inhabited by national minorities, frontier areas and poverty-stricken areas,4). 毛主席问陈妻：“你们感情好不好？”陈妻答：“好。”主席听了感到非常高兴。 Chairman Mao talked with Chens wife. He was pleased to know that they had a happy home life. 5). 这对年轻夫妇并不相配，一个是西施，一个是张飞。 This young couple is not well matched
29、; one is a Xi Shi a famous Chinese beauty, while the other is Zhang Fei a well-known ill-tempered general.,6). “这断子绝孙的阿Q！”远远地听到小尼姑的带哭的声音。 “Ah Q, may you die sonless! ” sounded the little nuns voice tearfully in the distance. This is a curse intolerable to ear in China. 7). 下象棋我只会马走日，象走田。 I only know
30、 the most basic moves of the Chinese chess. 8). 腊月二十三灶王爷上天，后台封上戏箱，要等年初一开戏。 On the twenty third of the twelfth lunar month the Kitchen God went up to heaven, and theatre shut down until the Chinese Lunar New Years Day.,9). 你别狗咬吕洞宾不识好人心。我是好心好意劝你，倒粘到我身上来了。（周而复上海的早晨） Dont snap and snarl at me when Im tr
31、ying to do my best for you. I give you my advice with the best will in the world and you turn round and lay the blame on me. 10). 至于才子佳人等书，更有一种风月笔墨 （曹雪芹 红楼梦）As for books of the beauty-and- talented typeEven worse are those writers of the breeze-and-moonlight school. (杨宪益、戴乃迭 译)And the “boudoir romance” Still worse is the “erotic novel”(David Hawkes 译),
