Title: On the Principles and Methods for Chinese-Japaneseand Japanese-Chinese Idioms Translation
Abstract:The development of Chinese and Japanese idioms has been a part of the social and cultural history of each country. Due to the close relationship between the two languages, there are many cases in whic...The development of Chinese and Japanese idioms has been a part of the social and cultural history of each country. Due to the close relationship between the two languages, there are many cases in which the two languages are mutually exchangeable and complementary. The existence of such phenomena produces translation difficulties which are less likely to appear in the translation between another two languages.When we try to do Chinese-Japanese and Japanese-Chinese translation of idioms, there are so-called rules and methods of literal translation and free translation.Eg. Literal Translation:(Chinese)晴耕雨读QINGGENYUDOU (Japanese)晴耕雨SEIKOUUDOKUNature-transforming/Structure-transforming Translation:(Chinese)东施效颦DONGSHIXIAOPIN(Japanese)みにうSHIKAMININARAUFree Translation:( Chinese)半斤八两BANJINBALIAN (Japanese)团栗の背比べDONGURINOSEIKURABEThe existence of some part untranslatable is the biggest problem unsolved and a major challenge as well.Eg.untranslatable:( Chinese)过五关,斩六将GUOWUGUAN ZHANGLIUJIAN (Japanese)带に短しにしOBINIMIJIKASHITASUIKININAGASHIJust as translation should follow the existing rules, we should also try to stay close to the connotation during the translation of idioms. When it is considered able to convey the original meaning successfully, we may just as well try to translate with the original ″foreignness.″ In the Chinese-Japanese and Japanese-Chinese translation of idioms, literal translation is preferable. As for certain part not translatable, annotations can be used if possible. The biggest issue unsolved is: What should be done if annotations can not be achieved? That is a problem that calls for further study.Read More
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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