ABSTRACT

The English idiom is a language phenomenon which reflects the history and culture of English-speaking countries, and it is the core and essence of English language. The cultural reflection of English idioms makes the translation of English idioms difficult, so it’s important to study the translation of English idioms from the cross-cultural perspective. The author of this thesis collects much relevant literature and spends much time reading up these materials. Based on the current studies of English idioms at home and abroad, the thesis points out the deficiencies of the past studies and future explores the cultural factors of English idioms, the translating strategies, and methods and the importance of the cross-cultural perspective. The author thinks that cultural factors help us know more about the translation of English idioms from an overall perspective, and make contributions to the cultural communication. Translating the English idioms from the cross-cultural perspective can be better for the later study of translation.  

Key words：English idiom; the cross-cultural perspective; translating strategies and method 

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Research Objectives-2

1.3 Significance of this Research-2

1.4 Structure of the Thesis-3

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-4

Chapter Three ENGLISH IDIOMS AND WESTERN CULTURE-7

3.1 English Idioms-7

3.1.1 Definitions of idioms-7

3.1.2 Forms of English idioms-9

3.1.2.1 Set phrases-10

3.1.2.2 Proverbs-10

3.1.2.3 Slang-11

3.2 Western Culture Reflected in English Idioms-11

3.2.1 Historical factor-12

3.2.2 Religious factor-12

3.2.3 Customary factor-13

3.3 Summary-13

Chapter Four THE TRANSLATION OF ENGLISH IDIOMS-14

4.1 Strategies for Translating English Idioms-14

4.1.1 Domestication-14

4.1.2 Foreignization-15

4.2 Methods of Translating English Idioms-16

4.2.1 Literal translation-16

4.2.2 Free translation-17

4.2.3 Combination of literal and free translation-18

4.3 Summary-19

Chapter Five CONCLUSION -20

REFERENCES-21