english-proverbs-and-the-translation毕业论文.doc

湖北经济学院继续教育学院本科毕业（设计）论文AbstractAs we know，any kind of language have its linguistic form and characters. When we speak a language, apart from the grammar rules we must obey, our language is also affected by our custom; our habits，our culture，our art，our tradition and so on. Because of these facts, the proverb comes up. This ethics will discuss the definition of the proverb; the characters of the proverb; the category of the proverb and the culture difference and the methods of translating the English proverb into Chinese.Key words: English proverb; definition; charecters; culture; methods.摘要正如我们所知道的，任何一种语言都有其特定的语言形式和特点。当我们说一种语言，除了要遵循语法，我们的语言也会被我们的风俗，我们的习惯，我们的文化，我们的艺术，我们的传统等等所影响。由于这些因素，谚语就这样产生了。这篇论文将讨论谚语的定义；谚语的特点；谚语的种类；如何用中文翻译英语谚语的方法以及文化差异和谚语翻译的关系。关键词：英语谚语；定义；特点；文化；方法ContentsAbstract1Content.2CHAPTER ONE3Introduction.3CHAPTER TWO.32.1Definition of the proverbs.32.2source of the English proverbs.32.3charecterisics of the English proverbs.102.4translation112.4.1methods112.4.2reltionsip between culture difference and translation.13CHAPTER THREE.18Conclusion18CHAPTER FOUR18Bibliography.18CHAPTER ONE IntroductionEach language has its own proverbs in the world. Generally, the proverb is mostly based on its country， the history of a country is longer, the proverbs are richer. Proverb is a form of language to express peoples emotions and feelings in their daily lives; and is a short exact sentence or phrase from creating of peoples social practice; and is gradually the most concise and vivid part of language. With a Holland proverb said, “Proverbs are the daughters of daily experience.” It means proverbs are from peoples daily lives，so, the daily experience is most important factor to affect the proverb. Sometimes, a person who said a sentence as a proverb might be forgotten by others, but his sentence was still remained. In different nations, there are not only some points of similarity, but also a bit of difference on their forms of culture and a lives.For Chinese student, translating English proverbs is a stumbling block. It is very possible that they often not only feel at a loss in understanding conversations because of different idioms and proverbs. CHAPTER TWO 2.1Definition of the proverbsA proverb is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim. If a proverb is distinguished by particularly good phrasing, it may be known as an aphorism.Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. Both the Bible (Book of Proverbs) and medieval, Latin have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs across Europe, although almost every culture has examples of its own.2.2Source of English proverbsProverbs come from a variety of sources. Some are, indeed, the result of people pondering, such as some by Confucius, Plato, etc. Others are taken from such diverse sources as songs, commercials, advertisements, movies, literature, etc. A number of the well known sayings of Jesus, Shakespeare, and others have become proverbs, though they were original at the time of their creation. Many proverbs are also based on stories, often the end of a story. For example, Who will bell the cat? is the end of a story about the mice planning how to be safe from the cat. As for English proverbs, there are some points2.2.1Originating from folk lifeProverbs are the summary of people experience in their everyday life. The summarized experience and reason are abstracted from the practice of peoples life and work. They express peoples simple and healthy thoughts, feelings and sentiments. More often than not, it reveals a universal truth from a particular point so as to enlighten people.A great number of proverbs were created by working people such as seamen, hunters, farmers, workmen, housewives and cooks and so on, using familiar terms that were associated with their own trades and occupations. For example, Living without the aim is like sailing without a compass was first used by seamen; If you run after two hares, you will catch neither by hunters; April rains for corn, May, for grass by farmers; New broom sweeps clean by housewives and Too many cooks spoil the broth by cooks , etc. Such expressions were all colloquial and informal and once confined to a limited group of people engaged in the same trade or activity. But they were proved to be vivid, and forcible and stimulating, so later they broke out of their bounds and gradually gained wide acceptance. As a result, their early stylistic features faded in some way and many have come to become part of the common core of language, now being used in different occasions. Some proverbs are related to some folk practice and customs. For example, Good wine needs no bush. This proverb is from an ancient popular English practice. In the past, English wine merchants tended to hang some ivy bushes or a picture of ivy bushes on their doors as a symbol of wine selling. But some merchants wine was so good that it cant be ignored without sign. This in fact shows the past common practice that merchants of different trades would hang different particular things as a sign for their goods.Another example is involved with peoples wedding practice. English people believed that if the weather were fine and sunny on a girl-wedding day, the girl would most probably enjoy a happy marriage life. Otherwise, all sorts of misfortunes and tragedies would befall on her. Because of this custom, English people have got a proverb Happy is the bride that sun shines on. This proverb originated from the common practice in ancient China. In the past, young girls didnt have the right to decide whom to marry. Their parents had the final decision in their marriage. Usually, the parents would ask a matchmaker for help. The matchmaker went between two families and passed on the messages. Finally, the girls parents made the final decision whether the girl would marry the chosen boy or not. This is known as arranged marriage. Such a marriage, more often than not, would lead the couple to an unhappy life. Because they seldom or even never saw each other before, they knew even little about the other partys behavior or manners, let alone his / her personality or virtues. It was often beyond the couples hopes to enjoy a happy marriage. Some proverbs came from ancient people deeply rooted beliefs such as their superstitious tendency and belief. In the past, English people believed that if a person spoiled salt from the salt bottle, misfortune and bad luck would follow. Then this person must scatter the spoiled salt from their left shoulders so as to drive off their ill luck. In turn, English people have got the proverb Help me to salt and you help me to sorrow. Some proverbs come from peoples distinction between sexes such as their discrimination against women. It comes from a deeply rooted traditional viewpoint. Such as three women and a goose make a market; Long hair and short wit; the more women look in their glass, the less they look to their house.2.1.2Originating from religionBible is essential for British and American cultures. It is said that their cultures are not integrated without Bible. It is safe to say that Bible influences every aspect of its disciples life. Consequently, many sayings and sentences in Bible have been popularly accepted. They have been deeply rooted among people and people frequently use them to cite a truth or express their ideas without paying any attention to their origins any more. These sayings are no longer only confined to religion and they have become proverbs which reflect English people religious faith such as Every man must carry his own cross This proverb is from Bible, Matthew, on the grounds of Matthew, the main idea is like this: As the soldiers went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry Jesus cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a skull), they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watching over him. Over his head they put the charge against, which read, This is Jesus, the king of the Jews. From this, we can know that cross means sufferings. The proverb tends to tell us that everyone should put up with misery in daily life and undertake the lifes burden. Another proverb is also from the Bible: One doesnt live only by bread. It is from the Bible, Deuteronomy, the general idea is: Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with Manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. From this, we can know that material is not the only thing that is indispensable to men. Spirit is also very important. Is one is only searched for material, he will be considered as animals, for the most distinctive characteristic between men and animals is that men have pursuit of spirit but animals havent. Many images in these proverbs have didactic meanings English people believe in Christianity, which is by far the most influential religion in the west. Every aspect of mans life is touched by this religion, so that it has become part of western culture. And the Bible, which includes the Old Testament and the New Testament, is regarded as the scriptures. Almost every family has a version of Bible, so it has come to be one of the major sources of English culture. Many English proverbs show the doctrines of their religion. For example, let not thy left hand knows what thy right hand doeth. According to the doctrines of Bible all human beings are brothers and sisters, and they should help each other. So when you give hands to others, never keep the memory that you have helped them. Another example, If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. It implies that if one has little knowledge, it is difficult for him to teach others some useful things. Even if he tried to help others, he would do nothing good to them.2.2.3Originating from literary works Many English proverbs involves events or characters of English literature, especially from Shakespeare. Shakespeares insight into human beings, his sensitivity to the problem of state, and his genius with words have left an everlasting mark on the English language and the thinking of English-speaking people all over the world. Native speakers of English quote his works every day, often without realizing they are doing so. Although his plays were written over three hundred years ago, many English proverbs from his plays are cited commonly in daily English.Shakespeares works are probably the most colorful literature origin of proverbs. For example, All is not gold that glitters. This proverb is from the great works of Shakespeare the Merchants of Venice. It shows us that those who have a good appearance are not really learned. So we should be careful not to be deceived by those who are superficially flashy but without substance. Another example, Patience perforce is medicine for a mad dog is from Shakespeares works Antony and Cleopatra. It tells us that those who cannot endure anything would lose his temper likes a mad dog. Many English proverbs are also from The Fables of Aesop. These proverbs are very concise and humorous, and they reflect the essence and the true meaning of life. It is very easy for people to understand them and to put them into practice. Many of them are passed down till today. For example, The camel going to seek horns, lost his ears. The general idea of the allusion is: a cow showed off his horns in front of a camel. The camel was envious of cows horns, so he requested Zeus to give a pair of horns to him. Zeus was very angry, because he thought that the camel was greedy to ask for horns with his so huge body. At last, he made a decision that he let the camel have horns but with the cost of cutting off a part of his ears. This proverb tells us that if one is greedy to occupy everything, he will be punished by his greed. Another proverb is also from the Fables of Aesop. The grapes are sour, as the fox said when he could not reach them. The allusion, which this proverb came from, is generally like this: one day, a hungry fox saw a lot of ripe grapes hanging on the grape vine. He beat his brains hard but could notfind a way to pick the grapes. The hungrier he felt, the angrier he got. Finally, he gave up. In order to comfort himself, The grapes are sour, the fox said while walking away. Nowadays, peoplewidely use it to express that someone who wants to take hold of something with all his effort but fails to get it will lower the value of this thing. There are also other proverbs, such as: A barleycorn is better than a diamond to a cock.The allusions main idea is: when a hungry cock was searched for food, he saw a diamond. The cock said to the diamond: To someone who admires you, you are a precious thing; but to me, you have no value at all, for all valuable things can not match with a barley-corn. Indeed, according to our common sense, a diamond is far more valuable than a barley-corn. But to a hungry man, especially to someone who needs grains badly, he would choose grains but not treasure, for treasure can not satisfy his stomach. So this proverb tends to imply that different people have different views no the same thing. The submitting to one wrong brings on another. The allusion, which this proverb came from, is generally like this: a snake was often ridden down by people, so he complained it to Zeus. Zeus told him that if he bit someone who firstly trampled on him, t