On E-C Animal Idioms Translation From The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence

Idiom is an important ingredient of a language, which reflects its cultural connotation profoundly and vividly. There exists closely relationship between human beings and animals. Animals affect human life and production greatly. People express their feelings or emotion by different animals. Also, they can explain some complex social phenomena and rules with diverse vivid animal images. Thus, it forms some animal idioms containing cultural meaning. In both English and Chinese, there exist abundant animal idioms. They have not only similarities, but also obvious differences in expression and cultural meaning. These diversities may make the translation a difficult task. Meanwhile,"Function Equivalence" put forward by Eugene A. Nida, the outstanding American linguists and translation theorist, is significant in directing animal idioms translation.We can fully grasp the cultural connotation of animal idioms in both languages with an adequate understanding of English and Chinese cultures. In translating animal idiom, the most difficult task is to know how to reflect some language characteristics and cultural meanings of the source languages (SL) in the target language (TL), and also transfer the live image of animal. To a degree, it can make the animal idioms in TL have the same influence on the one in SL. The essential of Nida’s functional equivalence theory is to make translation reach the similar effect as close as possible on the readers of TL as on the readers of the SL Under the direction of this theory, this thesis makes a research of proper approaches of animal idioms translation from SL to TL through analyzing abundant examples. In line with varied cultural corresponding phenomenon, translator can flexibly apply borrowing, literal translation, free translation, and literal translation with note in idiom translation, so as to meet the target readers’ response as far as possible. However, idioms convey distinct connotative meanings in varied contexts. When translating, it’s necessary for a translator to select different translation strategies accordingly so that the readers can achieve the true meaning of idioms.The learning, translation and research of animal idioms can avoid the culture shock and further intercultural exchange between China and the West, which can not only help the westerners have a better and further understanding of Chinese civilization, but absorb and utilize the excellent western culture and enrich our nation’s cultural treasure-house as well.