Abstract: English floral terms are an important part of the English language, which is hard to translate because of its unique cultural sources and connotations. In this thesis, six cultural sources of the connotations of English floral terms are traced: geographical environment, myth, religion, literary works, social custom and analogy, on the basis of which, and of the comparison of the connotation of English floral terms with that of Chinese, five translation methods are discussed in the perspectives of culture and translation purpose: literal translation, Literal translation with added notes, literal translation followed by the connotation, liberal translation, liberal translation——replacement with a Chinese equivalent.
Key Words: cultural connotation, English floral terms, translation
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
1. The Source of Culture Connotation of English Floral Terms 1
1.1 Cultural Connotations of English Floral Terms Originated from Geographical Environment 2
1.2 Cultural Connotations of English Floral Terms Originated from Myth 3
1.3 Cultural Connotations of English Floral Terms Originated from Religion. 5
1.4 Cultural Connotations of English Floral Terms Originated from Literary Works 5
1.5 Cultural Connotations of English Floral Terms Originated from Social Custom 6
1.6 Cultural Connotations of English Floral Terms Originated from Analogy 7
2. Explore the Ways of Translation of English Floral Terms 8
2.1 Literal Translation 9
2.2 Literal Translation With Added Notes 11
2.3 literal Translation Followed by the Connotation 12
2.4 Liberal Translation 13
2.5 Liberal Translation-Replacement with a Chinese Equivalent 14
3. Conclusion 15
Bibliography
