Idioms are just like incomparably resplendent bight pearls emitting dazzling rays in the palace of literature. Throughout the ages, they animate the works of countless men of literature and writing. Idioms have fixed patterns and abundant connotations. Their vivid images explicitly convey incisive meanings. Chinese idioms are part of the essence of Chinese culture with a history of thousands of years. In this thesis, the English translation of Chinese idioms will be discussed on the foundation of simply introducing the definitions, origins, features, and classifications of idioms, and a series of principles and methods of idiom translation will be put forward, mainly involving the translation of the Chinese idioms which have similar and dissimilar implications in English.
Abstract ..............................................................................I
Key Words .............................................................................I
摘 要 ................................................................................II
关键词................................................................................ II
Introduction...........................................................................1
Section One: Introduction to Idioms................................................... 2
I. Definition of Idioms ...............................................................2
II. Origins of Idioms................................................................. 3
(1) The Experience of the Common People ...............................................3
(2) Myths and Fables......................................................... ........4
(3) Historical Events and Anecdotes.................................................. 5
(4) Classical Literary Works .........................................................6
(5) Social Customs and Habits ........................................................6
III. Features of Idioms......................................................... ......6
(1) Fixed Structure ...................................................................7
(2) Abundant Connotations ............................................................7
(3) Distinct Cultural Feature ........................................................8
IV. Classifications of Idioms......................................................... 8
Section Two: Idioms with Similar and Dissimilar Implications in Chinese and English ...9
I. Idioms with Similar Implications ...................................................9
II. Idioms with Dissimilar Implications ...............................................9
Section Three: Translation of Idioms with Similar and Dissimilar
Implications from Chinese into English ................................................10
I. Methods of English Translation of Chinese Idioms with Similar Implications
in English ............................................................................10
II. Principles for English Translation of Chinese Idioms with Dissimilar
Implications in English................................................................12
Principle 1: Translating Chinese Idioms into English in a Correct and Accurate Way ....12
Principle 2: Keeping Chinese Cultural Colors ...................................13
Principle 3: Making English Readers Understand the Meaning in Any Possible Way.........13
Conclusion ............................................................................15
Acknowledgements ......................................................................16
Bibliography ..........................................................................17
