12Content一、习语的特点二、习语的翻译3一、习语的特点广义的习语(idioms),包括俗语(colloquialisms)、谚语(proverbs)和俚语(slangexpressions)。英语习语是在英语的发展过程中,经过长期的社会实践提炼出来的短语和短句,是语言的精华部分。习语大都具有鲜明的形象,适合用来比喻事物,且短小精悍,易懂易记,为广大人民群众所喜闻乐见。4辨认习语(1)违背常理的句子Myneighborsarecontinuallyquarrelling,butitisusuallyastorminatea-cup.我的邻居们老是争吵不休,常常是为了点小事儿大吵大闹。5(2)违背语法规则的表达。Hewasblowntokingdomcome.他被炸死了。I'mafraidthissuddenwetweatherhasputpaidto(=finish,destroy)ourpicnic.恐怕这突如其来的雨天已使我们的野炊泡汤了。6(3)以like,as等简单的词开头的习语。Heacceptedhisdefeatlikealamb(=meekly).他毫无反抗地接受了自己的失败。They'rethesameheight,orasnearas(=nearly;almost)makesnodifference.他们全是一般高,分不出谁高谁矮。7二、习语的翻译一、直译法所谓直译法,是指在不违背译文语言规范以及不引起错误联想的前提下,在译文中保留英语习语的比喻、形象、和民族色彩的翻译方法。8underone’snosearmedtotheteethpackedlikesardinessourgrapesagentleman’sagreementtheTrojanhorsetheheelofAchillestheswordofDamoclesthecold/hotwar在某人鼻子底下武装到牙齿挤得象沙丁鱼罐头酸葡萄君子协定特洛伊木马阿基里斯的脚跟悬在达摩克里斯头顶上的剑冷/热战9Acathasninelives.猫有九命。Barkingdogsdonotbite.吠犬不咬人。Arollingstonegathersnomoss.滚石不生苔。Alightheartliveslong.不恼不愁,活到白头。10二、直译加注Don'tknow,Captain,butitsoundslikeGraceisintheretalkingtoherbossatNIS.Shementionedkillingofftheinvestigation.Soundstomelikesomeseriouscirclingofwagonshasbeengoingon.不知道,上校,不过听起来葛瑞丝好像正和她的调查局老板谈话,她提及撤消调查。听起来像是真的要把大篷车围起来了。(circlingofwagons涉及美国的文化背景,美国人从东部向西部移民时,路上常遇印第安人袭击,于是他们就把大篷车围起来自卫。此处指当权者怕调查深入,火烧到自己身上,于是撤销调查自保。)11三、意译法1)Theydidn’tinvitehim,forheisawetblanket.他们没有邀请他,因为他是个令人扫兴的人。2)Amongsomanywell-dressedandculturedpeoplethecountrygirlfeltlikeafishoutofwater.在众多穿着体面而又有教养的人群里,这位乡下姑娘感到很不自在。3)Westillloveeachotherverymuch,butwefightlikecatanddog.我们常吵吵闹闹,但仍很相爱。12四、兼用直译和意译Thecaptainscratchedthebeginningsoffiveo'clockshadowandlookaway.上校一边用手抓着下午五点钟长出来的络腮胡子茬,一边向远处望去。(这句里的”fiveo'clockshadow”,如果直译为“五点钟的阴影”,中国读者一定难以理解,只好一部分直译,一部分意译。)13五、汉语同义习语套用法Ithink,andIcertainlyhope,thosestoriesareterriblyexaggerated.Ourintelligencesaystheyare.Still,wherethere’ssmoke—我觉得,我当然也希望,这些报道是夸大了。我们的情报人员说是这样。不过,无风不起浪——“wherethere’ssmoke”是习语“wherethere’ssmoke,there’sfire.”(有烟必有火;无火不起烟)的简化。Well,it’stoolatetohidenow.Imusttrytoavoidsuspicionbythrowingthemoffthescent.如今即使赶着躲,想罢也躲不及了,少不得要使个金蝉脱壳的法子。英语习语“tothrow(put)sb.offthescent”与汉语成语“金蝉脱壳”形象喻义很接近,都含有“用计脱身”的意义,在这里可以借用。14topraisetotheskiestofishintroubledwaterstoaddfueltothefiretobeonthiniceatsixesandsevenssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheotheradropintheoceantolaughoffone’sheadtoshedcrocodiletearstospendmoneylikewater捧到天上浑水摸鱼火上加油如履薄冰乱七八糟/颠三倒四半斤八两沧海一粟笑掉大牙猫哭老鼠/鳄鱼的眼泪挥金如土15Strikewhiletheironishot.趁热打铁。Wallshaveears.隔墙有耳。Doasyouwouldbedoneby.己所不欲,勿施于人。Littlechipslightgreatfires.星星之火,可以燎原。It’sapoormousethathasonlyonehole.狡兔三窟。Donotteachfishtoswim.不要班门弄斧。Moneymakesthemarego.有钱能使鬼推磨。16六、增添法milkandwater牛奶掺水,淡而无味toshedcrocodiletears鳄鱼掉泪,假慈悲17译者在翻译习语时,不仅要忠实地传达原文的语言意义,还要准确地阐述原作的文化内涵。通过两种语言文化的对比,尽可能地保证原文与译文等效或等值,使译文读者能够获得与原文读者如出一辙或大致相同的感受。18Assignmentsrestonone'soarskeepone'sheadabovewaterallatseagotohellmeetone'swaterlooPenelope'swebaPandora'sboxgiveadogabadnameandhanghimdog-tiredgotothedogs暂时歇一歇奋力图存不知所措下地狱去一败涂地永远完不成的工作潘多拉之盒,灾难、麻烦、祸害的根源谗言可畏精疲力尽完蛋、毁灭、破产19(1)(Thereis)norosewithoutathorn.没有不带刺的玫瑰(世上没有十全的幸福;有乐必有苦)。(2)Badworkmenoftenblametheirtools.拙匠常怪工具差。(3)Itisalonglanethathasnoturning.路必有弯;世上没有直路。(4)Oneswallowdoesnotmakeasummer.一燕不成夏。(5)Greatmenarenotalwayswise.再聪明的人也有糊涂的时候。(6)Hewhokeepscompanywiththewolfwilllearntohowl.近朱者赤,近墨者黑。(7)Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.上帝帮助自助的人。20(8)Loveme,lovemydog.爱屋及乌。(9)Youarealuckydog.你是一个幸运儿。(10)Anolddogwilllearnnonewtricks(Youcannotteacholddogsnewtricks).老狗学不出新把戏(老顽固不能学新事物)。(11)Agooddogdeservesagoodbone.好狗应该得好骨头(有功者受奖)。(12)Inancienttimesifaman'seyewasputoutbyhisenemy,hemightgetrevengebyputtinghisenemy'seyeout.Thiswastheruleofaneyeforaneyeandatoothforatooth.古时候要是一个人的眼睛被敌人挖去了,对方可以把敌人的眼睛挖下来作为报复。这就是以眼还眼,以牙还牙的原则。21(13)Ifitisawetsummerthefirmmakingmackintosheswillfindgoodmarkets,ifthereisaheatwavetherewillbeaspecialbigdemandforbathingsuits,ifwehavesharesinbothweneednotfeelundulyanxiousabouttheweather,forwhatweloseontheswingweshallgainontheroundabouts.要是夏天雨水多,做雨衣的厂商就大有销路;要是热浪袭人,游泳衣便特别吃香。如果我们两头都有股份,那就用不着为天气担心。因为失之东隅可以收之桑榆。(14)Thenewsthatthefirmwasclosingdowncameasaboltfromthebluetothestaff.公司要倒闭的消息对该公司职员来说犹如晴天霹雳。(15)Isupposehewillbeawfullyproud,andthatIshallbetreatedmostcontemptuously.StillImustbearmyhardlotaswellasIcan.-VanityFair我猜他是骄气凌人,不把我放在眼里,我有什么办法呢?只能逆来顺受了。