摘　要

语言是文化的载体。语言使人脑中零碎的感念和印象以具体的文字方式重组。习语，作为语言的精华之一，在经过数千年的积累后已承载着丰富的文化内涵。随着人类历史的发展，习语的广泛使用给人类生活带来了深刻的影响。习语鲜明的形象和突出的特征使人类将喜爱、同情、厌恶、恐惧等错综复杂的情感赋予其中。它们一般都与自然现象，社会活动，一些抽象的概念与具体实例相联系。随着经济全球化的深入，我国需要更多的对外交流。中国人民渴望更多地了解世界和被了解。因此，从文化的角度看英语习语的翻译在促进当今多元文化的国际交流中发挥着重要作用。本文拟从文化角度对习语的汉译进行研究，对习语中所反映的文化差异，如宗教，风俗习惯等进行探讨，从而引出在成功的翻译中所应用的理论和方法，意在减少跨文化交际中的语言障碍, 促进文化交流。

关键词：英语习语；汉译；文化角度；跨文化交际

Abstract

Language is the carrier of culture. It is through language that pieces of abstract notions and impressions in man’s mind can be reconstructed in concrete words. Idioms, as one of the essences of language, carry abundant cultural connotations after thousands of years' accumulation. Along with the development of human history, the frequent use of English idioms has inflicted a profound influence on human’s life. Because of the vivid images and prominent features of idioms, people endue human’s abounding emotions, like love, joy, hatred, fear and jealousy in idioms. Generally, they are bonded with natural phenomena, social activities, some abstract concepts and concrete instances. With the gradual deepening of the globalization, our country needs more and more exchanges with the outside world. And the Chinese people are more eager to know the world and to be known by the world. As a result, mastering the Chinese translation of English idioms from a cultural perspective is really significant in promoting the international communication in today’s multicultural society. The paper will make an intensive study on the Chinese translation of some English idioms from a cultural perspective. In addition, the cultural differences reflected in idioms are explored, such as religions, customs etc.. Several translation theories and methods employed in the Chinese translation of English idioms are elaborated to achieve a successful translation. It is aimed to reduce language barriers in the cross-cultural communication and promote cultural exchanges.

Key words: English idiom; Chinese translation; cultural perspective; cross-cultural communication

1 Introduction
Language is a vehicle that records and interprets culture. Vocabulary, as one of the most important parts of language, will surely reflect the multi-dimensional image of society. To a certain extent, language is the symbolic representation of a nation, which comprises its cultural backgrounds as well as ways of living and thinking. Languages of different cultures attach various associative meanings to their vocabulary, which is especially obvious in English idioms. In the vast culture of China and Britain, idioms exist in both of them, reflecting a nation's history, custom, religion and etc.. Idioms are frequently used to convey people’s emotions and gradually acquire specific connotations beyond their literal meanings. Generally, they are bonded with natural phenomena, social activities, some abstract concepts and concrete instances.