Contents
Acknowledges ii
Contents iii
English Abstract iv
Chinese Abstract v
Part I
Introduction 1
Part II
Characteristics of English proverbs 1
1. Many eloquence characteristics 2
2. Deep thought and moral 3
3. Bright ethnic and geographical characteristics 4
Part III
Cultural backgrounds of English proverbs 5
1. Traditional customs 5
2. Religion 7
3. Historical stories and literary works 8
Part IV
Translation methods of English proverbs 10
1. Literal translation 10
2. Free translation 11
3. Substitution translation 12
4 .Combination of literal and free translation 14
Part V
Conclusion 16
References 18 Abstract
The author of this paper tries to prove that English proverbs, which are the gems of the English language, have such close relations to British culture that they truly reflect the colorful life of British people throughout history. From the perspective of language form, English proverbs are characterized by religious structure, concise form, deep moral, bold image, unique geography and ethnic characteristics, and from the perspective of cultural backgrounds, they are associated with religious beliefs，habits and customs，fables and myth，and culture and art. So it is not an easy job for our Chinese people to translate English proverbs precisely. In the end of the paper, the author proposes four translation methods of English proverbs: literal translation，free translation，substitution translation，literal translation combined with free translation． Key words： English； proverb； translation； culture 摘 要
英语谚语是英国人民智慧的结晶。作者从语言形式上介绍了英语谚语的特点：简练的文字，短小的形式，鲜明的比喻，深刻的寓意，具有鲜明的民族特色和地方色彩等。同时，作者从文化背景方面介绍了英语谚语的产生与英国的传统习俗，宗教信仰，典故及其文学著作有关， 正是以上这些因素使得英语谚语翻译比较困难。最后，作者略论了英语谚语的四种翻译措施：直译，同义谚语套用法，意译，直译与意译相结合。 关键词： 英语；谚语；翻译；文化 Part I
Introduction
Like other nation’s proverbs, English proverbs are the essence of English people’s wisdom. A well-translated English proverb can not only teach, enlighten and persuade people, but also can enrich our Chinese language and culture. So it is necessary to study a nation’s proverbs when we try to study its language and culture．
English proverbs have many characteristics, such as religious structure, concise form, deep moral, bold image, unique geographical and ethnic characteristics. These characteristics make difficulties for us to translate English proverbs if we want to keep the original proverb’s language form and taste.
Moreover, because of the differences of religious beliefs，habits and customs，fables and myth，and culture and art，English proverbs and Chinese proverbs carry on the different national cultural characteristics and information. If we do not know these cultural backgrounds, we cannot understand the English proverb’s connotation and cannot translate them precisely. To our Chinese people with a little cultural knowledge about English, it is very difficult for us to understand and translate English proverbs. So when studying English, we should try to study its culture firstly.
In order to present an adequate translation of a proverb，we can use the four translation methods flexibly：literal translation，free translation，substitution translation，literal translation combined with free translation．When translating, we should try to choose a proper translation method firstly. Secondly, we should translate the proverb’s connotation. Meanwhile, we should try to keep the original proverb’s form.
In this paper, the author aims to introduce the characteristics of English proverbs, and discuss the four translation methods and their advantages respectively．
Part II
Characteristics of English proverbs
English proverbs have the same characteristics like the other nations‘ proverbs. They are produced orally by farmers, hunters, workers, sailors, housewives, etc, so they conclude British people’s experience of fighting with the society and nature, and have the function of teaching, enlightening, and persuading people. English proverbs possess the following characteristics.
1. Many eloquence characteristics
1.1 Oral and concise words
We all know that English proverbs are produced by British working people orally, so the words of English proverbs are very concise and oral. When we translate them, we should try our best to keep the original proverb’s oral characteristic. For example, “Bad workmen quarrel with their tools.”拙工咎器.(彭小红，英语论文范文，2017). Obviously, we can see that the translation is more formally, and it will lose its oral characteristic. So the above one should be translated like this, “拙工常怨工具差” , which will be easier for people to recite.
Now we will give two kinds of translations of some English proverbs. From these translations, we can see that the second translation is more popular, and is easier for people to recite.
1. Well begun is half done.
能言其始，事已成半。（良好的开端是成功的一半。）
2. Waste not, want not.
俭以防匮。（不浪费，不愁缺。）
3. A good beginning makes a good ending.
欲善其终，必先善其始。（有了好的开始，才有好的结果。）
4. A danger foreseen is half avoided.
预见其患，则患不足惧。（预见了危险，就等于防备了一半。）
1.2 Syntax structure and rhythm
Moreover, when we read proverbs, we will find that the syntax structure of English proverbs is compact and symmetrical; and the rhythm is gentle and united. For example, “You may take a horse to the water, but you can not make it drink” (陈红玉，2017) . If we translate it like this, 你把马牵到河边去，但不能叫它饮水, it will lose the characteristics of concise words, symmetrical and compact syntax structure and gentle rhythm. So it is better for us to translate like this, 牵马河边易，英语毕业论文，逼马饮水难.
Proverbs have the characteristics of concise and oral word, symmetrical and compact syntax structure and gentle rhythm. Therefore, when we translate them, we should try our best to keep these characteristics. Only in this way, can the translation have the taste of proverb.
2. Deep thought and moral
Like other proverbs, English proverbs imply deep thought and moral. They usually express people’s noble thought, and they can teach, encourage, enlighten and persuade people, like people’s good friends and motto. For example,
1. Fish and guests smell in three day.
鱼不过三日鲜，言不过三日亲。
2. A wise man thinks all that he says; a fool says that entire he thinks.
智者思其所言，愚者言其所思。
3. Learning is better than house and land.
学富五车胜过万贯家财。
4. A hedge between keeps friendship green.
君子之交淡如水。
5. All that glitters is not gold.
闪亮的不一定都是金子。
6. Complacency is the enemy of study.
学习的敌人是自己的满足。
7. Failure is the mother of success.
失败是成功之母。
8. Knowledge makes humble, ignorance makes proud.
博学使人谦虚，无知使人骄傲。
9. No rose without a thorn.
没有不带刺的玫瑰。
10. Pleasure comes through toil.
苦尽甘来。 |
