摘要

习语是一种特殊的语言形式，是某一语言在使用过程中形成的独特的固定的表达方式，承载着不同的民族特色和文化信息，最能体现一个民族的文化。同一句话，不同的文化背景的人反应有时是不同的，甚至会截然相反。究其原因是说话双方没有真正了解对方的文化。英汉两种语言都有着大量习语，因此，加强对英汉习语文化内涵差异的了解和翻译有着重要意义。本文从最能体现中西文化差异的习语着手，简单分析了中英文习语的来源，习语和文化以及习语翻译的关系。通过重点讨论习语在文化上五个方面中所反映的中西文化差异，即宗教文化、价值观、思维方式、社会关系、词语文化内涵，归纳了英文习语翻译的技巧和策略。

关键词：习语；文化内涵；中西文化差异；习语翻译； 翻译技巧

Abstract

Idioms are special language forms. It is a specific and structurally fixed expression in a certain language which carries a lot of information and cultural connotation. And it is one of the most important ways to show a nation’s culture. Different people from different cultures may have different understandings or reactions towards the same sentence. Both English and Chinese are rich in idioms. Therefore, in order to understand English idioms and translate them properly, it is necessary to know the cultural connotation of idioms and cultural differences between Chinese and English idioms. In this paper, the author will starts with analyzing the sources of Chinese and English idioms, the relations between idioms and culture, idioms and translation. By discussing the cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms in religions, values, thinking patterns, social relations, and cultural connotation in vocabulary, the author concludes the translation methods and skills for translating idioms.

Key Words: Idioms; Cultural Connotation; Cultural Differences; Translation of Idioms; Translation Methods
 
1 Introduction

Idioms are the essence of a language, which are always philosophical and eternal. English idioms and Chinese idioms are gems of the two languages as well as the crystallization of the two national cultures. According to the latest Webster's New World College Dictionary.
“Idiom is a phrase, construction or expression that is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and either differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together.”