Translation Of Metaphor From English Into Chinese: A Cultural Perspective

Since language is a very important component and also the carrier of culture, the process of translation involves not only the transfer of language, but also the transfer of culture. Metaphor, as one of the most outstanding manifestations of culture, often constitutes obstacles to translation. As culture is increasingly integrated into translation, the author in this paper centers on the approaches to metaphor's translation from English into Chinese. The whole paper is divided into five chapters:Chapter I introduces the intention of the author and the outline of this paper.Chapter II elaborates on the advancement of translation studies in China as well as definition and classification of culture; Emphasis is given to the interrelations between language, culture and translation.Chapter III focuses on the cultural translation of metaphor. The author first discusses the definition of metaphor and the traditional view people hold towards it. After explaining the differences and similarities between metaphor and simile, the author expounds on the nature, origin, working mechanism, types, and functions of metaphor. In the last part of the chapter, the author concentrates on cultural connotations and corresponding relations of English and Chinese metaphors, and then proposes six approaches to metaphor's translation from English into Chinese.Chapter IV first introduces the two translation strategies of domestication and foreignization, then presents a discussion of how the two translation strategies are applied to metaphor's translation from English into Chinese, and of which factors should be taken into consideration.Chapter V draws the conclusion based on the above research and points out some subjects for further studies concerning the translation of metaphor. The author hopes this paper will make its due contribution to the translation theories and practice of metaphor.