文化因素对汉英翻译的影响—以李克强总理在第七十一届联合国大会上的演讲为例

论文总字数：28333字

摘 要

翻译是一种语言活动，语言与文化之间的关系非常密切，不同的语言所体现的文化特征也不一样。所以翻译的结果会受到各种文化因素的影响。汉语和英语都有着深厚的文化底蕴和历史沉淀，所有只有将翻译与文化相互结合，并且考虑中西方文化的相似和差异性，包括不同的文化内涵、认知思维方式以及价值观等方面，才能达到国家之间的真正交流。本文以李克强总理在第七十一届联合国大会上的讲话为例，具体分析了演讲中的名称翻译、成语翻译和修辞手法的翻译。强调在进行汉英翻译时，不仅要考虑语言因素，还要考虑文化因素，这样才可以最大限度的避免误译，最终实现真正的国际交流与发展。

关键词：文化因素；汉英翻译；联合国大会讲话

Contents

1. Introduction 1

1.1 Research Background 1

1.2 Research significance 1

2. An Introduction to Culture and Translation 1

2.1 The definition of culture 2

2.2 The definition of translation 2

2.3 The relationship between culture and translation 2

3. The Main Cultural Factors Affecting Chinese-English Translation 3

3.1 Geographical environment 3

3.2 Historical background 3

3.3 Customs and habits 4

3.4 Views and values 5

4. A Study of Premier Li Keqiang’s Address to the 71st United Nations Assembly. 6

4.1 Name translation 6

4.2 Idiom translation 7

4.3 Rhetorical device 9

5. Conclusion 11

Works Cited 12

1. Introduction

With the globalization of the economy, international exchanges are also increasing. Translation is very important in international communication and development. Any language reflects some cultural characteristics. Therefore, cultural differences are a problem that requires great attention.

This paper aims to study Chinese-English translation from the perspective of cultural factors, and analyzes Premier Li Keqiang’s speech at the 71st UN General Assembly. In this way, translators can get valuable guidance on translation. The economic exchanges between countries can also be greatly developed. This paper explores the impact of cultural factors on translation. By expounding the translation of names、idioms and rhetorical devices, we can conclude that the awareness of cultural differences is very important for an accurate translation.

1.1 Research Background

Economic and cultural development has promoted exchanges between countries. Cultural differences greatly influence international development. For foreign language learners, by learning the cultural differences between China and other countries, which can help them understand the language and achieve success in intercultural communication. Translation can accelerate international exchanges and bring countries closer together. Therefore, it is meaningful to explore this issue.

1.2 Research significance

This paper allows us to understand how to avoid misinterpretation to the greatest extent. In this way, people can have better communication with foreign friends. Finally, international development and exchange can be greatly developed.

2. An Introduction to Culture and Translation

2.1 The definition of culture

Culture is an extensive concept with humanistic significance. It is not easy to define the “culture” accurately. But there is a common explanation in the dictionaries or encyclopedia of east and west that culture is all the spiritual activity of human being and its products are related to the politics and economy.

Culture is the product of long-term human creation. Culture is also a symbol of historical precipitation. To be precise, culture is formed by the condensation of various things. It includes national culture, customs and habits, thinking ways, values and so on. And all these can be inherited.

2.2 The definition of translation

Translation is a language information conversion behavior performed by translators (Dang 76). Translation is a new way to describe the same thing, which can be expressed in a relatively more familiar way. Nida, translation theorists said: “the so-called translation, refers to the semantic to style with the closest equivalence and the most natural reproduction of the source of information in the target language.” (Nida 192) Now, let’s try to summarize a more complete definition: Translation is a social tool that involves the exchange of two languages. In the case of completely retaining the cultural and logical relationship of a language, thereby converting it into another language.

2.3 The relationship between culture and translation

There is a close connection between culture and translation. Translation is a very important way of international cultural exchanges and is influenced by cultural factors. Language is a barrier to international cultural exchanges, which is influenced and restricted by many aspects. On the one hand, Chinese and English have some common components; on the other hand, influenced by culture, they are very different in many aspects, such as regional culture, historical background, customs, and ways of thinking. Translation as a tool for transforming languages is inevitably affected by the culture. The famous American translation theorist Eugene. A Nida, pointed out that “It is even more important to be familiar with the two cultures than to master the two languages, because the words are meaningful only in the cultural context of their functions (Nida 82).” Translation is not a shallow understanding of linguistic information, but a deeper exploration of cultural factors. When translating one language into another language, we cannot keep away from the culture.

3. The Main Cultural Factors Affecting Chinese-English Translation

3.1 Geographical environment

Different countries have different geographical environments. The geographical environment makes different cultures have their own unique features. Cultural personality and differences are infiltrated into their own language, affecting the process of Chinese-English translation. For example, the eastern part of China is the sea and the west is the mountain, so the east wind is a symbol of the “spring breeze” in China, while the west wind is a symbol of the “cold wind”. The geographical environment of the United Kingdom is opposite to that of China. The British believe that the west wind is warm and pleasant. The famous British poem “Ode to the West Wind”: Oh, the west wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?”(Shelly 231). It is a compliment to the warm west wind. Therefore, in order to fully understand the original text, we must fully understand these differences in the process of translating and translating.

China has been a big agricultural country since ancient times (Dengamp;Liu 10). It is mainly cattle farming. Farm cattle is a symbol of hard work. Related phrases are: “像老黄牛一样干活”(work like an old ox)、“气壮如牛”(strong as a cow); while the horse symbolizes hard work in the Anglo-American culture. So in English, it often has the saying “work like a horse”, “as strong as a horse”.

3.2 Historical background

Culture is precipitated in a specific period of history and is influenced by the historical background. One of the important contents is idioms. The idioms are very broad and generally contain fixed phrase, proverb, allusion and slang.

Chinese idioms are derived from ancient masterpieces, myths and legends, and traditional customs. Similarly, Westerners’ idioms mainly come from the British and American literary works of famous writers such as Shakespeare, as well as people or things in Greek and Roman mythology.

Take “狗” and dog for example, “爱屋及乌” corresponds to “Love me, love my dog”. The Chinese will certainly be surprised. We despise dogs and often use it in an unfortunate way: “狗腿子”, “癞皮狗” and “走狗”. In English, it is often used as a loyal partner. Commonly used “a lucky dog”(幸运儿) 、“a top dog” (优胜者) and so on.

3.3 Customs and habits

There are also many differences between countries in terms of social customs and habits. These differences not only make the language have its own characteristics, but also make our lifestyle and language expression habits different. Cultural backgrounds are different, and relative views on the same thing are very different. For example, in ancient China, the dragon was a totem image worshipped by the Han people, which symbolized honor, auspiciousness, power, and struggling. We claim to be the “descendants of the dragon”, with great and strong qualities. In Chinese, most of the idioms about dragons and phoenixes are pejorative, such as “龙飞凤舞”, “龙凤呈祥”, “生龙活虎”, “卧虎藏龙”. These idioms all indicate that the dragon is a good symbol in China. But in English, the dragon has a bad meaning, and the things about the dragon are derogatory. This is because in the Bible, a devil against God is recorded as Satan. Satan is also known as “the Great Dragon” (Wang 32). The dragon symbolizes evil forces in the West. In modern English, it often has the saying, “chase the dragon”(服用鸦片).

Different countries have different national cultural regulations and customs in terms of greetings, titles, acknowledgments, compliments, apologies, farewells, and telephone calls. For example, foreigners are used to calling each other’ s name, and for the person that meet for the first time, they usually add Mr. or Mrs. before their surname, like “Mr.Smith”, “Mrs.Green”. However, in Chinese, we often use the surname and the word of occupation as a salutation, such as “王老师” and “张老板”. When Westerners meet, they usually discuss the weather, i.e. “It is a nice day, isn’t it?”. While Chinese like asking some personal questions, like “你多大年纪了?”(How old are you?). In Western culture, they think it would be discourteous to ask some personal questions, it will make others feel embarrassed. Especially for the madams, it is taboo to ask their ages.

Therefore, we need to understand the different customs and habits of Chinese and Western countries in the translation, and constantly improve the sensitivity of the language. Choosing the language expression which conforms to each other’s habit, and ensuring that translation can go with a swing.

3.4 Views and values

3.4.1 Differences in thinking mode

Language is the most effective tool for expressing thoughts, and communication needs to proceeded with the help of language. Different modes of thinking lead to different ways of thinking about the same thing, such as Chinese people like red, which represents good luck and it is usually used as a commendatory term. However, in Western culture, red represents blood, cruelty and disaster, which is usually used as a derogatory term. So, if you don’t know some sensitive words like this, it is easy to misunderstand the original intention of the word or sentence.

From the perspective of using the language, the thought pattern of Chinese is screw-type, which means that always put the most important thing in the end during the process of communication. However, the typical thought pattern of Western is linear-type, which means that prioritize things according to the importance.

3.4.2 Differences in values

Values are perceptions, understandings, judgments, or choices based on person’s mind. That is, a kind of thinking or orientation in which people recognize things and distinguish between right and wrong, thus reflecting the value or role of people or things. The values of China and the West differ, mainly in three aspects.

Firstly, in China, people think a human should respect for natural law and be obedient to natural law. People think the day and night alternating, seasonal transformation affect people’s life and activity cycle. In the relation of mankind and nature, Westerners stressed that people should continue to deal with the challenges of nature and to challenge nature. Only by this, can they show the value and power of mankind. If you cannot get what you want in your life, not because of destiny, but because of your laziness and lack of fighting spirit.

Secondly, China is influenced by Confucianism and emphasizes unity and stability. We insist on stability rather than mobility, and insist that happiness lies in satisfaction. But in this way, the thought has been imprisoned and it becomes difficult for us to make innovation and breakthrough. On the contrary, the west countries prefer to change. They dare to break the normal procedure. They are always trying and innovating. However, it is easy to stimulate social instability factors.

Thirdly, in China, the collective interests are higher than personal interests. Therefore, most Chinese people are very modest. But on the contrary, in Western countries, they prefer to develop personal potential. They always put their personal interests first.

4. A Study of Premier Li Keqiang’s Address to the 71st United Nations Assembly.

4.1 Name translation

Name is an inseparable part of the national culture. It not only reflects the common characteristics of each national culture, but also reflects the unique cultural phenomenon of each ethnic group. The following are examples of name translations in the United Nations General Assembly to explore the differences between Eastern and Western cultures.

1) 我也赞赏上届联大主席吕克托夫特先生卓有成效的工作。

I also appreciate the effective work of Mr. Lykketoft as President of the last session of the UNGA.

2) 我还要向潘基文秘书长致以敬意。

I also wish to pay tribute to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

3) 在大会上，中国国家主席习近平做出了讲话。

At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech.

Westerners are used to calling each other’ s name, and in order to show the courtesy, they usually add Mr. or Mrs. before their surname, like Mr. Lykketoft. They also like to put titles such as status or position in front of their names, such as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In terms of the order of names, China and the West are completely opposite. The Chinese first say the surname, such as Ban Ki-moon, Xi Jinping; while Westerners say name first. We know that the surname is the code of a family, and the name is the code of the individual. For a family, the surname is the common symbol of all members of the family, that is, the commonality; and the name is the code of each member, which is a personality. The different order of surnames and names reflects the concepts held by the Chinese and Western people in the relationship between commonness and individuality. Chinese traditional culture emphasizes the commonality first. In the traditional Chinese cultural atmosphere, the “surname” representing the clan, blood, and group must be in the first place, and the symbol “name” that represents personality must be placed behind. This is the opposite of the West. Therefore, in the name ranking, the “name” representing the individuality concept is placed in front, and the “last name” representing the concept of commonality is placed behind it.

4.2 Idiom translation

Both English and Chinese have rich idioms. Due to geography, history, customs, thinking patterns and values, English and Chinese idioms differ not only in terms of vocabulary, grammar and rhetoric, but also in cultural backgrounds. China’s profound cultural heritage has greatly promoted the development of Chinese, which has brought great difficulties to Chinese-English translation. Here are some typical examples of Premier Li Keqiang’s Address.

1) 我也赞赏上届联大主席吕克托夫特先生卓有成效的工作。

剩余内容已隐藏，请支付后下载全文，论文总字数：28333字