Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Previous Studies on the Translation of English Proverbs-1

1.3 Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Theoretical Framework—Functional Equivalence-3

2.1 Functional Equivalence-3

2.2 Application of Functional Equivalence-4

Chapter Three Translation Techniques of English Proverbs-5

3.1 Literal Translation-5

3.2 Free Translation-7

3.3 Combination of Literal and Free Translation-9

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

References-13

Abstract

English proverb is a kind of English national folk literature with thousands of years of cultural precipitation, extraction of masses experience. It is easy to understand, lively and vivid , reflecting the people's life and thought. It plays a decisive role on the translation of English proverbs for us to correctly understand the meaning of proverbs and the national culture. As the theoretical basis of English proverbs translation, Nida’s functional equivalence theory points out that the reader’s response is the standard of evaluation in the translation of English proverbs. Therefore, in the translation of English proverbs we must consider the language features and cultural background, flexibility in the use of literal translation and free translation to express the meaning of original accurately and fully understand the profound meaning of proverbs. The thesis discusses the characteristics and the translation methods of English proverbs. 

Keywords:  English proverb  Functional equivalence  Translation method