A Functional Equivalence Study Of The Problems In The English Translation Of Chinese Idioms And Possible Solutions

Under the guidance of Nida's functional equivalence theory, the present thesis conducts a research on the English translation of Chinese idioms. It aims to propose some suitable methods on English translation of Chinese idioms and achieve functional equivalence in the process of translation. After reading the translated work, the target language readers should react the same as the source language readers do to the biggest degree.As the most important component of Chinese language, Chinese idioms certainly reflect the long history and brilliant culture of China. In the English translation of Chinese idioms, cultural conflict is a very common phenomenon. To put simply, idiom translation is closely related to culture. Idioms reflect culture and culture determines how to use idioms. In the process of English translation of Chinese idioms, translators should take all the relevant factors into consideration, including the different status and cultural conditions of both source language and target language, the cross-cultural ability of target language readers and so on. Only in this way can the translator use the proper method to translate. Therefore, the English translation of Chinese idioms is not an easy job. With the further development of China's reform and opening policy and its increasing communication with other countries, more and more foreigners are longing for knowing the history and current situations of China. Hence, in the course of English translation of Chinese idioms, we should choose suitable methods better to convey Chinese culture. However, up to the present time, translation researches in this field are still rather limited. How to apply suitable methods to translate works effectively is one urgent problem to be solved.In the present thesis, our efforts are vested mainly on the translation methods under the guidance of Nida's functional equivalence theory. After the study on literal, free translation theories and the combination of the two, the author believes that translators should choose the methods according to the actual context in which Chinese idioms are used. It will certainly help us in our cross-cultural communication with other countries.