Abstract:Idiom translation between English and Chinese has been studied by scholars and language learners for hundreds of years. Generally speaking, idioms are slang, proverbs, sayings or other literal terms which are often used by common people. Idioms are formed in the process of long-term use of language by the people of all nationalities. The main features of idioms are conciseness, clearness and visualization, and how to use idioms well is quite important for speakers. The longer history a language has, the larger number of idioms it contains. Because they can convey rich culture and indicate human cultivation, religion and society of different people in their languages, it is a big problem for translators to translate the idioms.

This paper discusses the strategies and principles in the English translation of Chinese idioms, based on Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory. It also analyzes how this theory is used in the English translation of Chinese idioms, and states how the translator pays his attention to Chinese culture, religion, history and so on. This is quite important in translating Chinese idioms.  

Keywords:  Functional Equivalence Theory  Culture  Chinese Idiom  Translation

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background-1

1.2 Purpose and Significance-1

1.3 Structure-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Previous Studies-3

2.2 Major Concepts and Theory Involved in This Thesis-3

2.2.1 Translation and Culture-3

2.2.2 Nida and Functional Equivalence Theory-4

Chapter Three Suggested Strategies for English Translation of Chinese Idioms Based on Functional Equivalence-6

3.1 Chinese Idiom-6

3.2 Strategies of Translating Chinese Idioms Based on Nida’s Theory-8

3.2.1 Literal Translation-8

3.2.2 Free Translation-9

3.2.3 Loan Translation-10

3.2.4 Translation with Notes-11

3.2.5 Combination of Translation-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

References-14