Metaphor Translation In English Political Speeches From The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence

The research of metaphor in the academic field has undergone a time-honoredhistory, which can be traced back to the Aristotle period. Metaphor was traditionallyregarded as a figure of speech and this conception occupied a dominant position at thattime. However, it was the publication of Metaphors We Live By in1980thattremendously transformed this stereotype, which meant a turning point in metaphorresearch. This book points out that metaphor, based on individuals’ language, thinkingand culture, is not only an ornament of language but also a sort of cognitive means.Metaphor enables people to comprehend the abstract and unfamiliar concepts as wellas phenomena with the aid of relatively concrete and well-known ones.In western countries, the political speeches delivered by government leadershave been increasingly eye-catching in public places. Their political views areconveyed to the audience via various means. Metaphor is one of them. The foreigngovernment leaders’ political speeches exert great influence on Chinese people,academically and politically. Thus it is of great significance to study the metaphortranslation of political speeches. The thesis probes into metaphor and its translationstrategies under the guidance of Functional Equivalence Theory to increase themetaphorical awareness, and make audience appreciate the charm of metaphor inforeign government leaders’ political speeches.