Idioms are not only a language phenomenon with fixed and concise structure and rich and profound connotation, but also the embodiment and reflection of human history and culture in the language people use. Both Chinese and English are rich in idioms. In Chinese, idioms refer to concise and incisive phrases that people have used for a long time, often four-character phrases. In English, idioms are phrases with different meanings from words, so they cannot be clearly found from the meanings of the words that make them up, and they must be understood as a whole.

First, the similarities between English and Chinese idioms

Two basic characteristics:

1, semantic unity or wholeness: an idiom expresses the meaning of a whole.

2. Fixed or stereotyped structure: Generally speaking, the word order structure of idioms cannot be changed or reversed at will, nor can words be added or deleted at will, or a word can be replaced by other words at will.

According to the grammatical functions and structural components of Chinese idioms and English idioms, Chinese idioms can be divided into four categories: verbal idioms, nominal idioms, adjective idioms and adverbial idioms. English idioms also include these four categories.

Second, trace the differences between Chinese and English idioms.

(A) differences in living environment

The appearance of idioms is closely related to people's work and life. Britain is an island country, and the navigation industry once led the world in history; The Han people live and multiply in the Asian continent, and people's lives are inseparable from the land. Metaphor is a waste of money and extravagance. English is a spender, while Chinese is? Spend money like water? .

In the cultural atmosphere of Chinese, Dongfeng? What is that? Spring breeze? Summer is often associated with intense heat. Does the sun burn like fire? , is a word often used to describe summer. And Britain, located in the western hemisphere, has a maritime climate, but it is the news that the west wind announces spring. In one of his sonnets, Shakespeare compared his lovers to summer. Can I compare them to summer?

(b) differences in customs

There are many differences between English and Chinese customs, the most typical of which is the attitude towards dogs. Most Chinese idioms related to dogs contain derogatory meanings:? Fox and Dog Party? 、? A dog jumped over a wall? Wait. In western English-speaking countries, dogs are considered to be the most loyal friends of human beings. Most English idioms about dogs are not derogatory. For example, the image of a dog is often used to compare human behavior. For example, you are a lucky dog, every dog has his day and so on.

(3) Religious belief

Idioms related to religious beliefs also appear in English and Chinese. Buddhism has been introduced into China for more than 1000 years. Do people believe there is? Buddha Lord? Everything in the world, such as? Borrow flowers to offer Buddha? 、? Don't burn incense in your spare time, cram for Buddha's feet? Wait a minute. In many western countries, especially in Britain and the United States, people believe in Christianity, and related idioms such as helping those who help themselves (God helps those who help themselves) and going to hell (go to hell) are cursed.

Third, English translation strategies of idioms

1. Literal translation (translators can use literal translation when translating Chinese idioms into English without violating the target language norms and causing false associations)

1) The same idiom:

Easy come, easy go.

Strike while the iron is hot.

2) Similar idioms:

be lavish with one's money

Burn one's bridges (all from the strategist's strategy)

3) Idioms with obvious meanings:

Provide fuel on snowy days.

One person gets the word, and the chicken and dog ascend to heaven. When the owner is in favor, the dog will be cocky.

2. Free translation (the national cultural characteristics of Chinese idioms are difficult to reproduce through literal translation in many cases. In order to ensure that the target readers understand the meaning of idioms accurately, we often adopt free translation.

Unexpected things may happen at any time.

come straight to the point

3. Set the translation method (the method of applying idioms similar to Chinese idioms in the target language for translation)

The literal meaning and implied meaning of 1) are basically the same.

fish in troubled 【muddied】waters

2) The figurative images of the two idioms are different, but the free translation of metaphors is basically the same.

Laugh my head off

4. Annotation method (cultural information and background knowledge needed by readers to understand idioms are added to the translation, which is characterized by retaining the figurative image and cultural implication of idioms and ensuring that the translation is easy to be understood and accepted by the target readers).

Imitation of Dong Shi (Xi Shi is a famous beauty in Yue State)

Four. conclusion

Through the study of the above four-character idioms, we can draw a conclusion: four-character idioms cannot be simply translated literally, but should be translated in more diversified ways, which is more in line with English habits and closer to the content of four-character idioms in Chinese.

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