Abstract

This paper focuses on the translation of English slang into Chinese based on Eugene A. Nida’s functional equivalence theory. Slang is an indispensable and important component in English language and is favored by worldwide English learners and users for its novelty, vividness, humor, and strong expression. Therefore, knowing how to translate it is significant to English learners and users. Nida’s theory of functional equivalence attempts to convey the thought expressed in a source text, if necessary, regardless of literalness, original word order, the source text’s grammatical voice, etc. This theory plays an important role in guiding slang translation and demands people to accord with three principles of semantic equivalence, cultural equivalence and stylistic equivalence in translating. Then based on the above principles, some useful strategies are studied for translators to apply in translating slang. These include literal translation, free translation, back translation and substitution. Mastering the principles and strategies of slang translation could bring great benefits to English users themselves and to the enrichment of English language as well as enhance the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication.

Key words: slang, slang translation, functional equivalence, principles, strategies


摘要

本文着重探讨在尤金•奈达的功能对等理论的指导下英语俚语的汉译。俚语以其新颖、生动、幽默等特点成为英语中最活跃、最具表现力和感染力的一种语言形式，越来越受到全世界英语学习者及使用者的喜爱。影视作品、文学作品以及各种报刊杂志中都充斥着大量的俚语。因此，了解俚语的翻译对于英语学习者和使用者来说是颇为重要的。18世纪初，奈达提出的功能对等理论给俚语的翻译带来了新的契机，使得俚语的翻译不再只停留在语言层面或形式上的“忠诚”，而是更深层次的“对等”。功能对等理论要求俚语的翻译要保持语义对等、文化等值以及文体对等。这也是英语使用者在俚语翻译中所需要遵循的三大基本原则。但是，由于俚语本身所具有的局限性和时效性等特点，一些俚语的产生和消亡可能只在一小段时间内、在一定的范围内，从而给俚语翻译带来巨大的挑战。本文通过奈达功能对等理论的指导，在遵循三大对等原则的基础上，提出了一些俚语翻译的有效策略：直译、意译、回译和替代。

关键词：俚语，俚语翻译，功能对等，原则，策略

Introduction
English slang, featured by a variety of characteristics like novelty, vividness, humor, and strong expression, is becoming more and more favored by English users throughout the world. Slang is an indispensable and important component in English language. It can be found in the newspapers, magazines and books, or be heard over the radio and CDs, on the TV shows, and in the movies and TV-series. However, even though some slang expressions are composed of simple and common words, most of them are difficult to understand, for they are created by people in a specific group with a specific culture.