Some English proverbs are the same or basically the same as Chinese idioms and proverbs in form and meaning. When translating these English words into Chinese, it is a pity to translate them directly with idioms or proverbs with the same or similar metaphorical meaning. In this way, the charm and form of the original text can be well maintained, and the translation can be easily accepted by readers or listeners. For example:
Pride goes down .. Pride goes down.
A miss is as good as a mile.
Two company, three no company. Two monks carry water to eat, and three monks have no water to eat.
Walls have ears. Walls have ears.
Enough is as good as fear. A contented mind is perpetual feast.
Although some English proverbs and Chinese proverbs have some differences in language habits and cultural background, and the things they compare are not the same, their metaphorical meanings are the same and their expressions are very similar. When translating these English proverbs into Chinese, it is often necessary to "change their forms and preserve their spirit", that is, to freely translate Chinese idioms with similar images. In this way, the translation can be both metaphorical and implicit, can reproduce the language effect of the original text, and is easy to convey. For example:
Two people can play this game.
A new official has three fires.
Speak of the devil and he will arrive.
The grass on the other side of the mountain is greener.
Put the cart before the horse. It's not upside down.
Some English proverbs are implicit, implicit and profound. If you don't understand the specific meaning and effect of the original text and just translate it into Chinese word by word, the translation will be boring. This can not express the meaning, but also damage the language image and rich connotation of the original text. Therefore, when translating, we should look for idioms, proverbs or common sayings with the same metaphorical meaning or similar effect as the original text, which will make the translation vivid and accurate. Try to compare the following translation examples.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. It's better to translate it into "If you have had it, you don't have to be righteous" or "If you complain about others, you must blame yourself first".
Be prepared for trouble in sunny weather. If it is translated as "sunny days should prevent cloudy days", it is better to translate it as "prepare for danger in times of peace" or "prepare for danger in times of peace" or "prepare for a rainy day"
Murder will be exposed sooner or later ... If it is translated as "murder will eventually be exposed", it is better to translate it as "paper can't wrap fire".
Where angels dare not entertain, fools rush in If translated into "fools dare to go where angels dare not", it is better to translate into "newborn calves are not afraid of tigers"
You can't make an omelet without breaking the eggs. If you want to eat an omelet, you must break the eggs.
If the proverbs to be translated are fresh and vivid, and the metaphorical meaning of the original text can be expressed by literal translation, then literal translation can be done. This can not only completely preserve the expression of the original text, but also enrich our own language and culture, killing two birds with one stone. Please look at the following translation examples.
God helps those who he1p themselves. God helps those who help themselves. In other words, God helps those who help themselves.
Money is the root of all evil. Money is the root of all evil.
An empty bag can't stand straight. ..
Do what you want to be done by others. Treat others as you expect them to treat you.
This is the same as another proverb: don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you. "Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you" is very similar.
Money talks. Money can even touch God.
Some English proverbs often use symmetrical rhetorical devices. The purpose of using this rhetorical device is to strengthen the language situation, be suitable for reasoning, and feel sincere after reading it. When translating these proverbs into Chinese, we should pay attention to keeping their rhetorical color to reflect the expression of the original text. For example:
You can take the horse to the river, but you can't make it drink water.
If translated literally, "you can lead a horse to the river, but you can't make it drink water" at least does not fully reflect the strong contrast of this proverb itself. From the perspective of grammatical analysis, in this sentence, the modal verbs may and can both mean "possible", but their meanings are different. Here may stands for "factual possibility" and can stands for "logical possibility" The coordinate conjunction but makes the two clauses have opposite meanings and strong contrast. In this case, the translation must also strive to be neat and neat, echo before and after, and form a contrast. It would be better to translate this sentence into "it is easier to lead a horse to the river than to force it to drink water" or "an old cow can't hold its head down without drinking water"
In short, even isolated sentences like proverbs need to be tried and learned in translation, otherwise, the translation may be "divorced from the original" and the text cannot convey the meaning. Perhaps this is the reason why translation is difficult.