As an important part of language, idioms are fixed phrases with particular meanings. They are well-known and they play an increasingly important role in people’s daily life. Both oriental and Western people are accustomed to use idioms because they are concise, vivid and humorous. Idioms contain a lot of cultural information; reflect the differences in history, geography, religion, custom and thinking mode of different ethnic groups. Idioms are important means of rhetoric. Because of euphony, they are usually accessible and remembered easily. They do not have regular sentence structure, but a relatively fixed form of expression. Those characteristics of idioms make the translation more difficult. In order to enable readers understand and use idioms better, translator must consider the underlying cultural factors in the process of translation. The same idiom in different context may have completely different translation; it reflects people’s different views on custom, thinking mode, character and color. Through the translation of idioms, this study will lay out some of the Chinese and western cultures to readers, so that people can have a better understanding with each other.
Abstract .....................................................................I
Key Words ....................................................................I
摘 要 .......................................................................II
关键词...................................................................... .II
Introduction .................................................................1
Ⅰ.The Characteristics of Idioms........................................ .....3
Ⅱ.The Translation of Idioms .................................................4
A. The Differences between Literal Translation and Free Translation.......... 6
B. The Translation of Idioms under Different Cultures........................ 8
C. The Relationship between Language and Culture.................... .........9
Ⅲ.Different Cultures in China and Western Countries .........................11
A. The Dialectical Thoughts Existed in English and Chinese Culture........... 11
B. The Conception of Individualism ...........................................12
C. The Social Customs in English and Chinese Culture .........................14
D. Different Views on Colors .................................................15
Conclusion ...................................................................17
Acknowledgements .............................................................18
Bibliography................................................................. 19
