Domestication & Foreignization In E-C/C-E Idiom Translation

Idioms, generally regarded as the essence of language, play an important role in language. The E-C/C-E idiom translation involves not only the transfer of language but also the transmission of culture. From the perspective of culture, the present thesis is aimed at finding a solution to the problem of cultural transplantation in idiom translation.Idioms are strongly culture-loaded. It is found that English and Chinese idioms have similarities in their characteristics and functions. However, there are cultural differences between English and Chinese idioms due to the distinction in living environment, custom, religion, and ways of thinking etc. Such cultural differences endow the two languages with their respective cultural flavors, but at the same time give rise to difficulties in idiom translation. To deal with this dilemma, theorists have come up with two kinds of cultural strategies—domestication and foreignization, which have aroused heated debates. Domestication and foreignization do not contradict each other, but are two different inclinations in translation. Therefore, how to determine which one is more appropriate is very important in translating process.This paper focuses on the choice between foreignization and domestication and the applications of them in idiom translation. By reviewing the proposition and development of these two translation strategies and analyzing the factors conditioning the choice of translation strategies, the author points out that foreignization should be taken as a priority and domestication as the supplementary in idiom translation because of its incomparable advantages in cultural exchange and enrichment. Whenever necessary, the combination of the two should be applied so as to better serve the cross-cultural communication.