动物词在汉英文化中的喻义及其翻译 [3]
论文作者:施小钦论文属性:短文 essay登出时间:2009-04-09编辑:黄丽樱点击率:13274
论文字数:7284论文编号:org200904091635122211语种:中文 Chinese地区:中国价格:免费论文
关键词:animal wordsfigurative meaningassociation vehicleEnglish and Chinese culturesintercultural communication
an expression “色狼”.
“Ass(驴)” in English and Chinese has the same connotation and figurative meaning “foolish, stupid”. In Chinese the expression “笨驴” is used to indicate a fool or an idiot. In English, most of the set phrases, idioms and proverbs including the word “ass’’ all imply the meaning of “foolish”, e.g. “ass in grain (十足的大傻瓜)”; “an ass in a lion’s skin (from Aesop’s Fables, 冒充聪明人的傻瓜)”; “all asses wag their ears (谚语:驴子摇耳朵,傻瓜装聪明)”; “asses’ bridge (笨人难过的桥)”; “act the ass (做糊涂事)”; “make an ass of oneself (做蠢事)”; “sell you ass (口语:不要这样呆头呆脑)”. [4]
The word “dove” in Chinese and English shares the same meaning, and symbolizes for peace. We regard the dove as “peace dove”. In some grand celebrations, we often see the scene of taking the doves away, standing for cherished desire for peace world of all of us. [5]
The following are some other familiar examples: as free as a bird (像鸟儿一样自由); as ugly as a toad (像癞蛤蟆一样丑); as busy as a bee (像蜜蜂一样忙碌); as slow as a nail (像蜗牛一样慢).
This kind of terms with same or similar figurative meanings show that in different cultures there does exist something in common, which reflects the commonness of different national cultures.
2.2 Same animal association vehicles and different figurative meanings
Different living conditions have caused varied states of mind and ways of thinking, so Chinese and English people have different ideas and attitudes to some animals such as dragon, dogs, etc. And their figurative meanings in both languages and cultures differ greatly.
2.2.1 Some animal words with commendatory figurative meaning in Chinese, but with derogatory figurative meaning in English
We must be very familiar with the word “dragon (龙)”, which is completely opposite in Chinese and English. “Dragon (龙)”is not a real animal but an imaginary one. In China, dragon is the symbol of the Chinese nation, especially in the ancient time, people worshiped dragon to beg for rain. And the Chinese feudal emperors were often referred to as sons of dragons (龙子), wearing clothes with designs of dragons (龙袍). And also the Chinese all call themselves descendents of the dragon(龙的传人)and are very proud of being the descendents of the dragon. However, in Western people’s minds, the dragon is some evil monster with a large tail with wings and claws, breathing out fire and smoke. It symbolizes evil.
“Monkey (猴子)” has different figurative meaning in Chinese and English languages. In Chinese, “monkey” is often likened to a smart and agile person, with commendatory sense. The Chinese people often jokingly call clever and cute children “little monkey”. But, if you praise a western child “You are like a little monkey.”, he will be angry, thinking that you curse him. Because in English, “little monkey,” means “a troublesome playful child”. And “monkey” is often likened to a person with a whole bag of tricks, e.g. “The man is as tricky as a monkey. (那人诡计多端,极为狡猾。)” Therefore, in English, expressions with “monkey” have derogatory meanings, e.g. “monkey business (捣鬼,骗人的勾当)”; “monkey around (闲荡,瞎弄)”; “monkey meat (美俚:劣等牛肉)”; “suck the monkey (英俚:酗酒)”. [6]
Let’s take a look at the word “petrel (海燕)”. In English the petrel is considered as an omen of disaster. The Longman Dictionary of English-Chinese offers us the explanations: “A stormy petrel is a person whose presence excites discontentment, quarrelling, etc. in a social group.” The reason for such a dislike is that they think petrel is the symbol for disaster. However, in Chi
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