1、 成语的翻译1.英汉成语比喻上的不同中国人常常用成语“雨后春笋”来形容一般事物的迅速发展和大量涌现。英语则用just like mushroom(犹如蘑菇一样众多)来形容同样的意思。竹子不是英国土生土长的植物，甚至连bamboo(竹)这个词也是引进的外来语。因此，英国人不可能以竹笋作成语的形象来比喻。试比较：Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.杀鸡取蛋。Look for a needle in a haystack.大海捞针。Like a rat in a hole.瓮中之鳖。No smoke without fire.无风不起浪。A good c
2、onscience is a soft pillow.日间不做亏心事，夜半敲门心不惊。Neither fish nor fowl.非驴非马。You cannot make a crab walk straight.是狼改不了吃肉，是狗改不了吃屎。2.风俗习惯上的不同狗对于英国人来说，既可以用来看门或打猎，也可视作人的伴侣和爱物。所以英国人对狗一般有好感，常用来比喻人的生活。例如：dog ones steps跟某人走lucky dog幸运儿Love me,love my dog.爱屋及乌。Every dog has his day.凡人皆有得意的日子。但是，dog受外来文化的影响，有时也含有贬义
3、。例如：He is in the doghouse.他名声扫地了。He was a bit of a dog in his younger days.他年轻时过着花天酒地的生活。中国民间虽然有养狗的习惯，但一般在心理上却厌恶鄙视这种动物，常用来形容和比喻坏人坏事。例如：狗胆包天monstrous audacity狗急跳墙。A cornered beast will do something desperate.狗嘴里吐不出象牙。A filthy mouth cant utter decent language.3.历史背景上的不同中国自古以来是一个以农业为主的大国，农业人口占很大比例，因此，成
4、语中有很大一部分是农谚。例如：斩草除根；柴多火焰高；瑞雪兆丰年；解甲归田；拔苗助长；枯木逢春；顺藤摸瓜；树大招风；雨后春笋；瓜熟蒂落；桃李满天下；捡了芝麻，丢了西瓜，等等。英国是一个岛国，英国人喜欢航海，因此，有很大一部分成语源于航海事业。例如：know the ropes(懂得秘诀；内行)；tide over(顺利渡过)；sink or swim(好歹；不论成败)；go with the stream(随波逐流)；clear the decks(准备战斗)；all at sea(无主意)；plain sailing(一帆风顺)；rest on ones oars(暂时歇一歇)；keep on
5、es head above water(奋力图存)，等等。民族文化的发展形成了一些代表独特文化现象的词语典故，有一部分成语出自历史事件、寓言、故事等，这类成语可以称为典故成语。每种典故之后都有一则轶事，如汉语中的“伯了相马”、“邯郸学步”、“塞翁失马”等，英语中的to meet ones Waterloo，create man with clay。英汉典故成语各有自己的民族渊源，可以说相似的很少。但是有少数近似的，例如中blow hot and cold与“朝三暮四”。blow hot and cold出自伊索寓言。原喻“避免与性情模棱两可的人交往”，现意“动摇不定，反复无常”。“朝三暮四”出
6、自列子黄帝，原来比喻用诈术欺骗，后来比喻反复无常。例如：as thin as rake骨瘦如柴fish for praise沽名钓誉turn a dead ear to置若罔闻return good for evil以德报怨fish in troubled waters浑水摸鱼 spend money like water挥金如土add fuel to the fire火上浇油burn ones boat破釜沉舟be on thin ice如履薄冰a drop in the ocean沧海一粟laugh ones head off笑掉大牙go through fire and water赴汤蹈
7、火at the end of ones rope山穷水尽shed crocodile tears猫哭老鼠be out at the elbows捉襟见肘like father like son有其父必有其子There is no smoke without fire.无风不起浪。Practice makes perfect.熟能生巧。All that glitters is not gold.闪光的不都是金子。Strike while the iron is hot.趁热打铁。Walls have ears.隔墙有耳。Constant dropping wears the stone.水滴石穿
8、。Actions speak louder than words.事实胜于雄辩。成语翻译要注意的事项汉语成语的语言特色，即形象鲜明、常用典故、音韵和谐，翻译时应尽可能地保留这些特色。然而由于汉英两种语言和文化的巨大差异，汉语成语的这些特色很难全部在译文中得以再现，此时译者必须有所舍弃，采取适当的翻译策略以确保主要信息的传递以确保主要信息的传递。现代翻译学认为，译文与原文在意义上应动态对应，不要形式对等。因此，从原文的深层意义出发，汉语句子当中的四字词组在译成英语时都有可能与英语句中的单词、短语、习语甚至整句相对应。2.直译法 直译法指在不违背译文语言规范以及不引起错误联想不违背译文语言规范以及
9、不引起错误联想的条件下，在译文中保留英语的比喻、形象和民族及地方色彩的方法。例如：show ones cards 摊牌armed to the teeth 武装到牙齿a wolf in sheeps clothing 披着羊皮的狼Blood is thicker than water.血浓于水。A rolling stone gathers no moss.滚石不生苔。He laughs best who laughs last.谁笑在最后，谁笑得最好。3.意译法 在不可能或没有必要用直译法保留英语成语的表达形式，并且也找不到相应的汉语成语以套用时，就可以配合上下文进行意译，以保证原作思想内容
10、的完整性。例如：a bed of roses安乐窝play a good game手法高明at all hazards孤注一掷carry ones head high趾高气扬rain cats and dogs下倾盆大雨play ones last card采取最后手段Dont cross the bridge till you get to it.不必担心过早。Dont count your chickens before they are hatched.不可过早乐观。Every cloud has a silver lining.天下没有绝对的坏事。Among so many well-
11、dressed and cultured people,the country girl felt like a fish out of water.同这么多穿着体面而又有教养的人在一起，这位乡下姑娘感到很不自在。She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth;she thinks she can do what she likes.她生长在富贵之家，认为凡事都可随心所欲。4.直译加意译 为了弥补直译和意译的不足，更确切地表达原意，可同时采用直译和意译两种方法翻译成语，即先直译出原文，再进行解释。shed crocodile tears鳄鱼的眼泪/假
12、慈悲Achilless heel阿基利斯的脚后跟/致命弱点Pandoras box潘多拉的盒子/罪恶和灾难的渊薮To make hay while the sun shines.趁着晴天晒干草/勿失时机。A little pot is soon hot.壶小易热/人小火气大。TRANSLATION APPRECIATION1.It is too late to grieve when the chance is past.坐失良机，后悔已迟。2.Its never too late to learn.活到老，学到老。3.Joy at its height engenders sorrow.乐极
13、生悲。4.Justice has long arms.天网恢恢，疏而不漏。5.Keep something for a rainy day.未雨绸缪。6.Keep a dog and bark oneself.家有佣人而自己干活；做自己下属应做的工作。7.One mans meat is another mans poison.对甲有利的未必对乙也有利。8.Let sleeping dogs lie.勿惹麻烦。9.Let things slide.顺其自然。10.Lies have short legs.谎言是站不住脚的。四字词组的汉译英四字词组是汉语中一种常见的语言现象，是汉语的一四字词组是
14、汉语中一种常见的语言现象，是汉语的一大词汇特点。它由四个语素构成，通常分为自由词组大词汇特点。它由四个语素构成，通常分为自由词组和固定词组。自由词组是临时组成的，可随意拆散，和固定词组。自由词组是临时组成的，可随意拆散，重新组合，例如重新组合，例如“广泛开展广泛开展”，“紧密联系紧密联系”。固定。固定词组则是一个整体，不能拆散使用，其中的任何词语词组则是一个整体，不能拆散使用，其中的任何词语都不能随意更换，含特殊意义，也称为成语，例如都不能随意更换，含特殊意义，也称为成语，例如“雪中送炭雪中送炭”，“路不拾遗路不拾遗”。四字词组从内容上四字词组从内容上看，言简意赅；从形式上看，整齐匀称；从语音
15、上看，看，言简意赅；从形式上看，整齐匀称；从语音上看，顺口悦耳；从表达效果上看，形象生动。在行文、说顺口悦耳；从表达效果上看，形象生动。在行文、说话中人们都常运用到它们。由于四字词组具有如此优话中人们都常运用到它们。由于四字词组具有如此优点，在汉译英时若使用恰当，既能保存原作的丰姿，点，在汉译英时若使用恰当，既能保存原作的丰姿，又使译文大为生色。又使译文大为生色。例如：多数人兴高采烈之日，却是少数人伤心失意之时。If this was a time of triumph for the many,it was a painful period for the few.他坐在那儿注视着，觉得眼前
16、的景象，既是始终如一，又是变化多端，既是光彩夺目，又是朦胧黑暗，既是庄严肃穆，又是轻松愉快。He sat there and watched them,so changelessly,so changing,so bright and dark,so grave and gay.几种翻译四字词组的常用方法。一、将原文的四字词组译成英语的一个词 这些词主要是名词、形容词、副词、动词。一部分汉语四字词组译为英语时只需用一个英语单词替换就足以表达它的意思。例如：这一切均在铁的事实面前彻底破产了。But their slanders?have all been exploded in the face
17、 of hard facts.这是走向繁荣昌盛的唯一道路。This is the only road leading to prosperity.虽然我们前面的道路崎岖不平Although the road before us is rough.使我国五亿多农民实行社会主义改造这样一种惊天动地的事业，不可能是在一种风平浪静的情况下出现的Its impossible to carry in an atmosphere of tranquility such an earth-shaking task as getting some 500 million peasants to undertak
18、ing socialist transformation.他马马虎虎地看了看那张便条就走了。He carelessly glanced through the note and got away.二、将四字词组译成短语，如介词短语、副词短语、不定式短语 这种方法往往是套用英语中最简单的词组或句型。如广告中常用的典雅大方elegant and graceful，轻柔松软 soft and light。某位领导的讲话要求外交人员“立场坚定、目光远大、头脑敏捷、业务熟练、才华出众、风格高尚”，“A Chinese diplomat should be firm in stand,broad in v
19、ision,swift in wit,qualified in profession,outstanding in talent,noble in character.”原文的六个四字词组在译文里换作六个“adj.+in+n.”结构的短语，同样对称整齐，简明扼要，与原文相比，形式不同，功能却相似。因此用这个结构来翻译四字词组达到了异曲同工的效果，既保留了原文的风格，又使译文自然贴切，具有可读性。纵目眺望，我饱览了一片无限娇艳的风光：万紫千红，郁郁葱葱，鸟语悦耳，花香袭人，涟漪荡漾，瀑布飞流，层峦起伏，阡陌纵横。真可谓生机勃勃，气象万千。As far as sight could reach,I
20、 feasted my eyes on a vastness of infinite charm,which presents itself in a profusion of color,in verdant luxuriance,in dulcet warbling,in pervading perfume,in rippling undulation,in cataract sprays,in hilly waves,in field crisscross and verily in vitality and variety.这一小段话连用了八个四字词组，译者将它们处理为 in+adj.
21、+n.的结构，使得译文同样结构整齐，意思明确，可以说是达到了内容与形式的统一。三、套用英语中意思相同及功能对等的习语 四字词组中有很大一部分是固定词组，即成语。成语往往带有浓厚的民族色彩和地方色彩。翻译时除了要忠实地表达原文意义之外，还要尽可能保持原文成语的形象比喻，丰富联想，修辞效果以及其民族、地方特点等。有的成语和英语中的习语在内容和形式上都相符合，双方不但有相同的意义和修辞色彩，并且有相同或大体相同的形象比喻。汉译英时，如果遇到这种情况，不妨直截了当地套用英语同义习语。这样的译文可能会增色不少，基本能实现四字词组的美学价值转移。A.双方有完全相同的形象比喻 趁热打铁strike whil
22、e the iron is hot 隔墙有耳wall has ears 捧上天去praise to the skies 火上加油pour oil on the flame B.双方有大体相同的形象比喻 沧海一粟a drop in the ocean 挥金如土spend money like water 笑掉牙齿laugh off ones head 害群之马a black sheep 得知本国发生了强烈地震，总统一直心乱如麻心乱如麻。The president,being told of the strong earthquake in his country,was on tenterhoo
23、ks every minute.借用英语习语既保留了原文的风格和喻体，又能使读者欣然接受，达到了译文与原文之间意义相符、功能相似的翻译要求。但是应该注意的是如果这一成语具有太浓厚的民族色彩和地方色彩，就不可硬套英语习语，以致与原作的上下文形成矛盾，破坏原作的意蕴和形象，使译文读者产生误解。有一大部分成语无法套用习语，只能采取直译，意译或加注等其它方法。四、综合法 若将两个或两个以上的四字词组连用，则更能体现汉语语言的音乐美、稳重美。当一个长句或自然段落内连续出现几个四字词组时，宜采用综合法。综合法就是打破四字词组的形式，兼容各种技巧于一体的翻译方法。它往往既能忠实地传达原文的意思，又能较好地再
24、现汉语原有的丰姿。香港，新时代的巨轮，此刻在祖国尊重香港人、相信香港人、爱护香港人的旭日辉映下，满怀信心，升锚启航，向着振兴中华，祖国统一的宏伟目标乘风奋进。We are embarking on a new era.With the respect and trust from the entire nation,we will be much more equipped to sail forward with confidence and with conviction.We will play a part in facilitating the reunification of th
25、e entire nation,and bringing a better life to all in the nation.二百公里航道上，遍布着无数险滩。险滩上，江流汹涌，回旋激荡，水击礁石，浪花飞溅，声如雷鸣。Numerous shoals scattered over the 200kms course give rise to many eddies.Pounding on the midstream rocks,the river roars thunderously.天气这样闷，十之八九要下雨。With the weather so close and stuffy,ten t
26、o one itll rainpresently.TRANSLATION APPRECIATION 1.山中无老虎，猴子称大王。Among the blind the one-eyed man is king.2.上梁不正下梁歪。Fish begins to stink at the head./If the upper beam is crooked,the lower one is out of plumb.3.仁者见仁，智者见智。Everyone thinks in his way.4.生米煮成熟饭了。Whats done cannot be undone.5.人怕出名猪怕壮。Fame
27、portends trouble for men just as fattening does for pigs.6.少小不努力，老大徒伤悲。A man who neglects his studies in youth will regret it in later years./A young idler,an old beggar./To idle away the time in youth will leave sorrow in old age.7.胜者为王，败者为寇。Losers are always in the wrong.8.人人都有弱点。Every man has his
28、 weak side.9.少说话，多观察。Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.10.什么人交什么朋友。A man is known by his friends.11.石沉大海，杳无音讯。Like a stone dropped into the sea,it has produced no reaction.12.杀鸡取卵；竭泽而渔。Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.13.打的主意 have an eye on14.明白事理 know whats what15.成为泡影 end in smokeEXE
29、RCISES 1.天长地久2.胆小如鼠3.泰然自若4.水中捞月5.苦如黄连1.as old as the hills2.as timid as a hare3.as cool as a cucumber4.to fish in the air5.as bitter as wormwood6.鸡皮疙瘩7.狐假虎威8.物以类聚9.如释重负10.挥金如土6.goose-flesh7.ass in the lions skin8.Birds of a feather flock together.9.to take a load off ones mind10.to spend money like
30、water11.泪如泉涌12.翁中捉鳖13.扬眉吐气14.一针见血15.孤注一掷11.a stream of tears12.a rat in a hole13.to hold ones head high14.to touch one on the raw15.to put all ones eggs in one basket16.纸上谈兵17.白费唇舌18.一文不名19.体无完肤20.鸦雀无声16.armchair strategy17.to speak to the wind18.without a penny to ones name19.tear apart to scold so
31、meone20.were completely still/a stone silence21.一箭双雕22.装模作样23.铁石心肠24.易如反掌25.半途而废21.kill two birds with one stone/bear all at once22.put on all the air23.a heart of stone24.as easy as turning the palm25.give up halfway26.甘拜下风27.提心吊胆28.千辛万苦29.水落石出30.粗枝大叶26.take a back seat27.remain on pins and needles
32、28.be through hell and high water29.the truth would have been out30.to be crude and careless 31.扬眉吐气32.无孔不入33.大张旗鼓 34.风雨飘摇35.趁热打铁31.to feel proud and elated32.to take advantage of every weakness33.on a large and spectacular scale34.(of a situation)being unstable35.to strike while the iron is hot36.火上加油37.晴天霹雳38.浑水摸鱼39.轻如鸿毛40.空中楼阁 36.to pour oil on the flame37.a bolt from the blue38.to fish in the troubled water39.as light as a feather40.castle in the air Thank you
