On Proverb Translation: A Functional Equivalence Approach

Translation is regarded as a cross-cultural,cross-social,and cross-linguistic communicative activity.In this light,the process of translation is perceived as one of establishing functional equivalence between the source text and the target text in order for the latter to be as faithful as possible to the former in both meaning and function.Proverbs are language-and culture-specific expressions,which often cause difficulties in translation.This paper aims to approach proverb translation from the functional equivalence perspective.

On the Understanding and Translation of English and Chinese Proverbs

Proverbs are results of human wisdom.As a particular part of language,proverbs are full of embodiments of many differences culture both in form and content.The understanding and translation of English and Chinese proverbs involve not only the transference of the two languages but also the transmission of English and Chinese culture.When proverbs are being translated,translators are confronted with difficulties of retaining the characteristics as well as the meaning and national flavor of the original.Judging from this key point,how to achieve the transference of the source language culture to the target language has become one of the important criteria to know whether or not a translation version is successful.Therefore,to a great extent,the principles and methods play a key role.

A Cultural Analysis to English Proverbs and Its Comparison with Other Expressions

This analysis purposely mines the connection between English proverbs and other means of expressions in English.English proverbs locate an indispensable role in English language,which obtain the characteristics of metaphor,rhythm,eloquence,syntax,etc.

On the Strategies of English Proverb Translation

A proverb is the refinement of a culture, the short but best description of a national character, and the marked representatives of a value sense. Both Chinese and English have affluent proverbs. With the development of globalization and the widely use of English, more and more English proverbs are introduced into China."Proverbs strengthen the English language force."(Luo, 2006)The introduction of English proverbs into Chinese has largely enriched the expression of Chinese. It is the translation that makes the transmission process smooth. "Translation is the transformation and the embodiment of two languages, and it requires us to cross the barrier of both languages and cultures"(Chen,2002), therefore, the translation of proverbs needs attach more importance to cultural connotation.

On the Factors of the Formation of Proverbs

A proverb is the refinement of wisdom, the condensation of experience, and the concentration of culture.Both Chinese and English have possessed a large number of proverbs. When we enjoy those words that sparkle with philosophical thinking, it is not difficult to find many Chinese and English proverbs are describing things similarly in human's common feeling and thinking. This paper will study the factors that contribute to the formation of proverbs.

Proverbs—Reflection of Influence of the Holy Bible on Western Culture

Christianity is the most influential religion in west world while the Bible is often labeled as a"Western book"and considered a vital part of western culture.With the help of related English proverbs as well as the Holy Bible -the major resource of Christian doctrines and western concept of values, the thesis analyzes the influence of this scripture on western culture from the angle of human nature orientation, relationship of humankind to nature, time orientation, activity orientation and relational orientation.

On the Comprehension and Translation of English Proverbs

本文就如何正确翻译英语谚语这一话题展开讨论 ,指出正确的谚语译文不应源自错误的字面意义上的理解 ,而有时应根据其用法 。

Problematic Areas in the Translation of Proverbs

Passing through the world of translation opens new windows towards getting familiar with the literature,language,and culture of a specific country or countries.Proverbs express the wisdom of a nation and they are closely related to its culture.During the translation process,we might encounter a lot of difficulties with the non-linguistic features.These non-linguistic features,in this paper,are going to be analysed the proverbs.Understanding this unique group of proverbs has been a topic of great importance for many scholars and language educators.The translation of proverbs includes feelings,history,religion,and the ways of living and thinking,all of which are part of a specific culture.Therefore,when we analyse proverbs,we are also analyzing the culture of a specific country,the period when these proverbs were first used,the manner how these proverbs were understood years ago,how people understand them now,etc.This paper is focused generally on some strategies that are suggested by various theorists that should be used while translating these kinds of proverbs.Later,there are presented some Albanian and English proverbs and they are compared to each other in order to clarify the language differences and/or similarities and the translation strategies that are used during the translating process.This is a wide topic and the author has tried to give a glimpse in the wonderful world of wisdom sayings that are passed orally from one generation to another and are considered a cultural and folkloric heritage of every country.

On the Study of Cultural Connotation in Zhuang Proverbs: Religious Belief and Ecological Ethics

Zhuang’s proverbs are derived from the long-term experience in the survival and development of nature, andinextricably related to it. Many of Zhuang’s proverbs reflect the folk religious belief’s reverence, prudence,compliance and protection of the ecological environment. The implicit or explicit ecological ethics consciousnessin Zhuang proverbs has a subtle influence on Zhuang people’s thoughts and behaviors, and objectively regulates therelationship between man and nature, which helps the Zhuang people consciously keep the balance of naturalecology in their daily life.

Power Representation on Sundanese Proverbs

This study examines the representation of power on a number of Sundanese proverbs.The objective is to analyze traditional views on the perceptions of power in Sundanese society and explore the interrelation between language,power and culture.The data for this study were collected from Rosidi(2005,2010).The results showed that power is represented mostly in neuter and noble contexts.This study concludes that Sundanese proverbs depict that anybody can hold power,regardless their genders,social status and ages,as long as they have the supporting factors,i.e.wealth,nobility and knowledge.

Proverbs

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Comparative Analysis of Amharic and Afaan Oromoo Proverbs:A meta-communication perspective

Proverbs are timeless human wisdom in the form of concise figurative speech.They reflect the conceptual experience of the speakers,particularly the elders in speech communities.This study aims at presenting a comparative study between Amharic and Afaan Oromoo proverbs from the standpoint of meta-communication perspective.Meta-communication is conceptualized as communicating about communication.Communication is believed to have many things in common with culture in that it shapes and dictates the communication behavior of a given society.In verbal communication,the use of proverbs is quite often,explicitly to comment on communication behavior.Despite the multifaceted functions of proverbs in several disciplines,the focuses of this study are proverbs as sources of communication that are relevant in linguistics and anthropology.In so doing,sample proverbs have been purposively selected based on semantic criteria and analyzed by using psycho-analysis method.In the analysis of the proverbs,we built a cognitive model for their semantic relationships.This is because the proverbs have relatively stable,conventionalized and contextual meaning of form as continuum,residing in their common conceptual base.Above of all,they are metaphor-dependent as a common on conceptual base.Hence,there are a number of proverbs in Amharic and Afaan Oromoo as well that comment on importance of communication,communication behavior or processes,among others.In both ethno-linguistic groups,thus,employing such proverbs to comment on communication is quite common which tend to show the communication behavior of each group.

Cultural Implications Reflected by Animal Metaphors in Proverbs of English,Chinese,and German

Proverbs are summaries of people’s life experiences with profound philosophies,among which animal proverbs are universally and frequently used in various languages.This paper analyzes the similarities and differences in the meanings of several representative animal metaphors in the proverbs of English,Chinese,and German,and discusses the potential reasons of their formation and the cultures involved.This paper provides learners with examples of understanding culture-loaded animal proverbs.

proverb变用现象漫话

proverb(格言、谚语、箴言)属于习语(idiom)的范畴。同其他习语类型一样,proverb 也具有两种明显的特征:一是语义的统一性(semantic unity),二是结构的固定性(structural stability),也就是说,与各种常规或变异表达手段相比,proverb 具有更为稳定的内容和形式。然而,尽管如此,在特定的语境中,却可以根据需要对 proverb 进行特殊处理.从而通过变异(deviation)所产生的突出效果(foregrounding)使语言产生独特的风格。

Analysis of Sexism in English and Chinese Proverbs

Since language and gender research has gradually become a heated topic for linguists,according to Sapir-Whorf hypothesis,some linguists argue that language is sexually discriminatory against women.Language is the most crucial tool for human communication,which reflects idiology and culture of language users.Moreover,proverbs,as the essence of language,can better reflect the connotation of social culture.Therefore,it is more representative to study linguistic sexism in proverbs.Under the light of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in sociolinguistics,this paper uses comparative methods to present sexism in English and Chinese proverbs from six aspects,such as women’s social status,speech,wisdom,temper,vices,and marriage.Based on our analysis,we find that the emergence and prevalence of sexism in English and Chinese proverbs roots from social and historical aspects.Hopefully our research will make people recognize sexism in language and avoid discriminatory language practices.

PROVERBS“…the mother of…”

1. Diligence is the mother of happiness. (Japan)2. Diligence is the mother of success. (England)3. Experince is the mother of wisdom. (England)4. Measure is the mother of good health. (Russia)5. Ignorance is the mother of devotion. (England)6. Insistence is the mother of victory. (Latin America)

Cultural Connotation and Translation of English Proverbs

There are more and more cross cultural communication nowadays. Different cultures have different features. Proverbs, as an essential part of language, reflecting the culture of a nation, have cultural connotations about geography, history, customs and religion. Therefore, in this paper I intend to analyze cultural connotations in English proverbs, and to discuss the translation strategy- Domestication and Foreignization, then to put forwards three aspects that should be paid attention to in English proverbs translation.

Love and Hate Between England and Other European Nations——A Glimpse Through Proverbs and Idioms

English proverbs and idioms are quite common in the language use due to its expressiveness.However,without the deep understanding of the cultures,history,folktales or legends behind them,English proverbs and idioms may easily lead to con⁃fusion or even misinterpretation.From a number of European-nation-related proverbs and idioms listed,the readers can have a glimpse of Greek legends,Roman wisdom,Anglo-Spanish and Anglo-Dutch Wars,and joking with their neighbouring coun⁃tries,and thus feel the love and hate between England and those nations in the profound historical background.

The Differences in English and Chinese Proverbs and Its Form Reason

Proverbs are the fixed sentences that is spread and transferred by masses of people.People use these accessible sentences to express and reflect the profound truth.To compare the sources of English and Chinese proverbs is the topic this paper is to discuss.

Gender Difference in Proverbs

The language research about gender has been a heated topic in linguistics. Gender difference and sexism in language is a natural phenomenon during its use and development. It is the fact that language is discriminatory against women.