Abstract:Language is closely connected with culture，and it is greatly influenced by culture. And idioms are the set and special elements in the language．They，including proverbs，sayings，colloquial phrases，allusions and slangs，are the products of national culture and wisdom and represent the national features and various rhetorical skills．Idioms are related to the geographical enviromnment, historical background, customs and conventions and religious beliefs of the English speaking countries. Religion is an important part of human ideas and culture．It has a great effect upon the English language. As the core and essence of culture，idioms have an inseparable relation with religious beliefs.

Idioms have a strong charateristics of their nationalities and their cultures. Plenty of the idioms, having a complex relationship with other cultures, are full of western cultural charateristics. Therefore, it is difficult for Chinese readers to understand the exact meaning of the idioms. Being the essence of the English language, translation of the idioms plays an important role. Thus, the translation should not only remain the style of its own but also suit the Chinese readers. During the process of translation, translators can use the literal translation, free translation or imitative translation or even mix them up in order to convey the exact meaning and avoid the cultural comflicts as possible. Remaining the style and conveying the meaning is the proper way to acquaint ourselves with other foreign cultures and enrich our own, thus making a great progress of the communications on the crossculture.

Key words: idioms; Christianity; the Holy Bible; translation methods

Table of Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to idioms-1

1.2 Introduction to Christianity and the Holy Bible-2

2. Effects on Idioms from Christianity and the Holy Bible-3

2.1 Literature background-3

2.2 Mode of thinking-3

2.3 Religious beliefs-4

3. Idioms from the Holy Bible-6

3.1 Idioms about the characters from the Holy Bible-6

3.2 Idioms about the stories from the Holy Bible-7

3.3 Idioms about animals and plants from the Holy Bible-7

4. Translation Methods-9

4.1 Literal translation.-9

4.2 Free translation-10

4.3 Imitative translation-12

5. Conclusion-14

References-15

Acknowledgements-16