動(dòng)物比喻(Animal
Metaphors)在英漢兩種語言中均有廣泛的使用,它使語言生氣勃勃,形象鮮明。然而,由于文化背景、思維方式的不同,人們對動(dòng)物比喻的正確理解和翻譯存有障礙。從翻譯的角度總體說來,動(dòng)物比喻可以分為兩大類:
一類是:譯語與原語存在對應(yīng)的關(guān)系,使動(dòng)物形象再現(xiàn)成為可能。根據(jù)兩種語言在意義、形象或風(fēng)格上的相似性,翻譯時(shí)可采用同值、近值互借法,以再現(xiàn)原語形象。例如:
1.What a dull speech! He's merely parroting what many others have
said.多么單調(diào)乏味的講話!他不過是鸚鵡學(xué)舌,重復(fù)許多人說過的話而已。
2. A wolf in sheep's clothing 披著羊皮的狼
3. One swallow does not make a summer.孤燕不成夏。
4. He is as sly as a fox. You've got to watch him.他狡猾得像個(gè)狐貍。對他你可要當(dāng)心點(diǎn)兒。
5. You stupid ass! How could you do a thing like that? 你這頭蠢驢!怎么會(huì)干出那種事兒來?
6. The children were as busy as bees, making preparations for the
festival.孩子們準(zhǔn)備過節(jié)忙得像蜜蜂一樣。
另一類是:同一動(dòng)物形象在原語和譯語中的語用意義相去甚遠(yuǎn),甚至完全相悖。因此,在翻譯過程中就出現(xiàn)了動(dòng)物形象名稱的轉(zhuǎn)換。這種動(dòng)物形象的轉(zhuǎn)換可以是一種動(dòng)物形象轉(zhuǎn)換為另一種動(dòng)物形象。例如:
1. Talk horse.吹牛。(horse譯為“牛”)
2. Ass in a lion's skin.狐假虎威。(ass譯為“狐”,lion譯為“虎”)
3. Black sheep.害群之馬。(sheep譯為“馬”)
4. Lock the stable door after the horse is stolen.亡羊補(bǔ)牢。(horse譯為“羊”)
5. Cast pearls before swine.對牛彈琴。(swine譯為“?!保?
6. When the cat is away, the mice will
play.山中無老虎,猴子稱大王。(cat譯為“老虎”,mice譯為“猴子”)
7. As hungry as a bear.餓得像狼。(bear譯為“狼”)
8. Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.殺雞取卵。(goose譯為“雞”)
9. As timid as a hare.膽小如鼠。(hare充為“鼠”)
10.Neither fish, flesh nor fowl.非驢非馬。(fish, flesh譯為“驢”owl譯為“馬”)
11.Break a fly upon the wheel.殺雞用牛刀。(fly譯為“雞”)
(通訊員稿
英語點(diǎn)津姍姍編輯)
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(英語點(diǎn)津姍姍編輯)