On Lexicographical Translation Of Idioms In A Chinese-English Dictionary (3^rd Edition) From The Perspective Of Cultural Context

Chinese idioms,with its simplicity of form,fixture in structure,profoundness in meaning,and vividness in image-invoking,are a good representation of Chinese language and Chinese culture.It has also caused much difficulty in cross-cultural communication and learning Chinese language as a second or foreign language.The translation of Chinese idioms into English has drawn various scholars'attention.The Chinese-English dictionary has also gained a weightier role to play in meeting the needs of contemporary users and the requirements of "Chinese booming" worldwide.Great importance has been attached to A Chinese-English Dictionary(3rd Edition)(ACED3 for short)edited by Yao Xiaoping since its publication yearn Starting from the macrostructure and microstructure of ACED3,this paper summarizes research perspectives of previous people,including part-of-speech labelling,definitions and their inadequacies,insufficient treatment of culture-bound words and neologisms,etc.Combined with definitions,classifications and characteristics of Chinese idioms,this paper analyzes research perspectives of Chinese idioms in other Chinese-English dictionaries,and makes learners comprehensively understand connotations of Chinese idioms,thus paving the way for lexicographical translation of idioms in Chinese-English dictionaries.The study finds that there are few literatures which analyze lexicographical translation of idioms in ACED3 from the perspective of cultural context.Therefore,the main research questions are as follows:1)How do influencing factors of cultural context impact lexicographical translation of idioms in ACED3?2)How does lexicographical translation of idioms in ACED3 spread culture?3)What are the principal ways,compiling principles,and features of lexicographical translation of Chinese idioms in ACED3?The paper systematically combines knowledge of context,summarizes scholars'researches about its concepts,functions and especially categories,which lead to the concept of cultural context and its influencing factors.General translation methods and research procedure are also briefly analyzed to better comprehend ways of lexicographical translation of idioms.By analyzing influencing factors of cultural context,this paper makes detailed analyses about specific reasons of Chinese and English cultural differences from six aspects,namely,geographical natural factor,historical factor,religious factor,concept of values,way of thinking,living habits and customs.After that,it analyzes how these factors affect lexicographical translation of idioms in ACED3 with chosen examples,and sums up the contribution of lexicographical translation of idioms in embodying Chinese culture in Chinese-English dictionary.In addition,English idiomatic dictionaries and authentic language in Corpus of Global Web-Based English are combined to check whether the lexicographical translation of idioms is equivalent English idioms.Contrastive frameworks are put forward to compare lexicographical translation of idioms in ACED3 with those in its first two editions,The Chinese-English Dictionary(3rd Edition),and New Age Chinese-English Dictionary(1st Edition),whose ways,principles,and features are also analyzed.Advantages and disadvantages of lexicographical translation of idioms in ACED3 are briefly summed up,which provides a reference for future compilation of lexicographical translation of idioms in Chinese-English dictionaries.After the systematic study,this paper finds the wide and profound influence of cultural context on lexicographical translation of idioms in ACED3 as well as its cultural transmission,and summarizes its methods,principles and features.Its research results are extended to other subjects such as foreign language teaching,translation and cross-cultural communication.Therefore,this study has some guiding significance in theory and practice.Theoretically,perspectives of cultural context are systematically analyzed and summarized,and are introduced into lexicographical translation of idioms in dictionaries.Practically,it has certain guiding importance for ways and principles of lexicography,cultural transmission and foreign language teaching.This paper provides systematic lexicographical translation of idioms under the influence of Chinese and English cultural differences,and contributes to the improvement of students' English expression,the comprehension of Chinese and English ways of thinking and the promotion of intercultural communication.The final part also gives advice to lexicographical translation of idioms in Chinese-English dictionaries,and puts forward limitations and suggestions for further research.