ABSTRACT

This thesis investigated the problem of untranslatability in idiom translation from cultural perspective. It aims to make people know more theory about idiom translation and help them translate idioms better. The study used a large amount of examples to show some cultural differences in English and Chinese idioms and the untranslatability caused by those differences. For the first matter, it was discussed from five aspects: living environment, religious beliefs, historical and literary allusions, social customs and modes of thinking. For the second matter, it was analyzed from four aspects: substantial culture, spiritual culture, different custom and system culture and other cultural factors. It also suggested five specific ways to translate idioms: literal translation, free translation, literal translation with explanation or notes, combination of literal translation and free translation and loan translation. The findings have implications for translators in idiom translation practice to emphasize the importance of cultural differences. 

Key words: Idiom Translation; Cultural Difference; Untranslatability

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Idioms and Culture-3

2.1.1 The definition of idiom-3

2.1.2 The definition of culture-4

2.1.3 The relationship between idioms and culture-4

2.2 Translation Studies and the Issue of Translatability-5

2.2.1 Foreign studies on translatability-6

2.2.2 Domestic studies on translatability-7

Chapter Three CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE IDIOMS-9

3.1 Differences Rooted in Living Environment-9

3.2 Differences Rooted in Religious Beliefs-10

3.3 Differences Rooted in Historical and Literary Allusions-10

3.4 Differences Rooted in Social Customs-11

3.5 Differences Rooted in Modes of thinking-11

Chapter Four UNTRANSLATABILITY DUE TO CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE IDIOMS-13

4.1 Untranslatability Due to Substantial Culture-13

4.2 Untranslatability Due to Spiritual Culture-14

4.3 Untranslatability Due to Other Cultural Factors-14

4.4 Some Specific Ways to Translate Idioms-15

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-16

REFERENCES-18