Abstract: This paper analyzes and makes a contrastive study on Chinese and English idioms from the following cultural aspects: geographical environment, social customs, religious beliefs, historical allusions, modes of thinking and attitudes towards values, etc. It demonstrates the differences between Chinese and English cultures in terms of idioms, and then it puts forward the specific principles and strategies of translation with a prerequisite for the meaning being well accepted. This study aims to make people gain a better understanding of the differences between Chinese and English idioms, especially their cultural connotations, so as to use them more accurately and make the cross-culture communication more effectively.

Key Words: culture; idiom; cultural difference; translation strategies

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review1

2.1 Definitions of Language, Culture and Idiom

2.2 Researchers’ Perspectives

3. Cultural Differences between Chinese and English Idioms2

3.1 Differences in Geographical Environment

 3.2 Differences in Social Customs  

3.3 Differences in Religious Beliefs

 3.4 Differences in Historical Allusions

 3.5 Differences in Modes of Thinking and Attitudes towards Values

4. Effective Translation Principles and Strategies Employed in Idioms Translation-5

4.1 Principles in Idioms Translation

4.2. Strategies Employed in Idioms Translation

4.2.1 Literal Translation 

4.2.2 Liberal Translation

4.2.3 Annotation Translation

5. Conclusion-7

Bibliography8

Acknowledgements9