Abstract

Idiom is the cream of the language and there are many idioms with the animal images in Chinese and English. Due to different cultural backgrounds between China and English-speaking countries, some misunderstandings on translation still exist in practice. So it is difficult to translate them as the translator should not only convey the animal image accurately but also make the rendition well accepted by TL readers. The application of Relevance Theory associated with cognitive science and psychology is more persuasive on the translation. Thus, this thesis probes into translatability of animal idioms from the perspective of Relevance Theory after making the comparison between Chinese and English animal idioms. In this thesis, with the consideration of the SL speaker’s intention and the TL reader’s expectation, strategies and suggestion including word for word translation, free translation, substitution and amplification on animal idioms translation are provided to accomplish the optimal relevance.

Keywords: animal idiom; Relevance Theory; translation

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Purpose for the Research-1

1.3 Structure of the Study-1

2. Literature Review-1

2.1 An Overview of Relevance Theory-1

2.2 Related Studies on the Application of Relevance Theory into Translation-2

2.3 Related Studies on the Translation of Idioms-3

3. A Study of Animal Idioms Translation from the Perspective of Relevance Theory.3

3.1 Definitions of Idioms both in Chinese and English3

3.2 Comparison between Chinese and English Animal Idioms-4

3.2.1 Same animal with different meanings-4

3.2.2 Different animals with same or similar meaning..4

3.2.3 Non-equivalence in two cultures-4

3.3 Animal Idioms Translation from the Perspective of Relevance Theory.5

    3.3.1 Different connotations of animals in Chinese and English idioms..5

    3.3.2 Animal idioms translation from the perspective of Relevance Theory....6

3.4 Translation Strategies and Suggestions...7

    3.4.1 Word for word translation.8

        3.4.2 Substitution...9

        3.4.3 Free translation10

        3.4.4 Amplification..10

4. Conclusion11

References......12