中西文化差异与翻译Word文档下载推荐.docx

1、Culture is the soil in which language can exist and develop. The most basic task of translation is to spread and communicate the culture. In the 1970s, Western translation studies began to focus on the influence of culture on translation. Translation is called “Intercultural Communication” and “cros

2、s-cultural cooperation”. Peoples understanding of translation gradually deepened. People realized that translation is not limited to language-level cross-language activities, but also involves two kinds of cultural activities. The differences in historical background, geographical environment, relig

3、ious beliefs and values have led to the differences between Chinese and Western culture, which has caused the barrier of translation. To achieve real communication between China and the West translators should combine culture and translation naturally.1.2 Significance and ObjectivesThe research of t

4、his paper is of great significance. First of all, language learners can get a deeper understanding of the cultural differences between China and the West, which is very helpful to our translation. In addition, learning in this area facilitates our intercultural communication and enhances our cross-c

5、ultural awareness. The purpose of this paper is to promote cultural exchanges between China and the West, and to promote cross-cultural communication with other countries by understanding the cultural differences between China and the west and translating strategies.1.3 Structure of the ThesisIn ord

6、er to systematically analyze the cultural differences between China and the west, this paper will be divided into four parts. The first part is a comprehensive introduction to this research. The second part introduces the relationship between culture and translation. It also introduces the factors t

7、hat influence the differences between Chinese and Western cultures, including geographical environment, social customs, religions and values. The third part will introduce the translation of methods, including foreignization, domestication, transformation and annotation. In this order, I will analyz

8、e the influence of cultural differences on translation.Part Two The Relationship Between Culture and Translation2.1 Definition of CultureFirstly, in the broadest sense, culture is the mixture of material wealth and spiritual wealth created by human beings in the practice of social history. However,

9、being viewed from a narrow standpoint, then culture is the social ideology and the related system and organization. Culture in the narrow sense is the reflection of the corresponding social politics and economy, and it can also react to the corresponding social politics and economy. In view of the e

10、mergence and progress of the nation, culture has a national nature. No matter which ideology a culture represents, of course, the culture will be accompanied by the advance of social material. The continuity of the social material advance means that the cultural advance also has the continuity and t

11、he historical inheritance. Secondly, culture refers to the ability of writing and general knowledge. Culture has an unusually close relationship with all science and art. Translation is a kind of art, so of course, it should also be supported by culture. The scope of the culture involves an unusuall

12、y broad range, encompassing not only history and customs, but also idioms closely related to language.2.2 Cultural Differences Between China and the West2.2.1 Geographical DifferencesThe geographical environment has a great influence on the local climate and also has a significant impact on the lang

13、uage used by the people. For example, the differences between Chinese and English regional cultures are very prominent in their orientation and their corresponding objects. In China, since ancient times, there have been the tradition of “南面为王,北面为朝” “南为尊北为卑”. People often say “从南到北,南来北往” “南” is often

14、 placed in the front. The English culture is the opposite. The English and American people understand the Chinese language “从南到北” from the English regional culture, which is “from north to South”. And “北屋” is “a room with a southern exposure”. Such azimuth words as “西北”, “西南”, “东北” and “南” are the o

15、pposite of Chinese culture. They are “northwest”, “southwest”, “northeast”, “Southeast”, respectively. In addition , although the word “东风” in Chinese and the word “east wind” in English are literally relative, their connotations are completely different. The characteristics of Chinas terrain are: i

16、n the west lie the mountains, but the east is the sea. In the Chinese consciousness, “东风” refers to “spring”, symbolizing the “warmth”. But in Britain, the “east wind” is blowing from the northern part of the continent. In the hearts of the British, it is signs of “cold” . And the “westerly wind” is

17、 blowing from the Atlantic, and Chinas “东风” has the same symbolic meaning. Therefore, the British love the “West Wind”. The last verse of the famous British poet Shelles Odetothe West Wind expresses the good meaning of the westerly winds: “O,wind,if winter comes,can spring be far behind?（啊，西风，假如冬天已经

18、来临，春天还会远吗?）” Of course, without comment, Chinese readers cannot understand or will misunderstand the expression.2.2.2 Differences in Social CustomsCustoms run through the daily life and communicative activities. Different nationalities show different national culture statutes and customs in greeting

19、, appellation, compliment and telephone. In greeting, the Chinese often say “Have you eaten?” “Where to?” “What are you doing?” when they met. The Chinese think this is an easy-going, cordial greeting. If those expressions are literally translated into “Have you had your meal?” “Where Are you going?

20、” “What are you going to do?” It will be hard for westerners to accept. Because in the view of Westerners, these are personal privacy, and should not let others know. Such greetings should be translated into “hello!” “OK morning!” “How are?” In terms of appellation, the meaning and use of the same c

21、oncept in different languages varies. The meaning of “姐姐” and “妹妹”, “哥哥” and “弟弟” in Chinese are very clear. The words that denote the kinship of the cousins are entirely distinct. “表哥”, “表弟”, “表姐” and “表妹”, “堂兄” and “堂弟” are all specific words, but English is very vague, general, all known as cousi

22、n. Modesty is the virtue of the Chinese nation, so the Chinese people used to speak “self-deprecating” to show “humble”. Westerners do not understand this. For example, the Chinese will often say: “Preparation is not good.” “My understanding is very superficial.” “If there is any wrong place, please

23、 correct it.” When facing a table of rich dishes, the host often say:“There is no good food, please feel free to eat.” Westerners do not understand the connotations of the expressing. Again, Chinese people will always be humble and polite when they hear compliments, they will say: “哪里,没有,没有.” It is

24、very difficult for The westerners to understand. They will use “Thank you” to express acceptance of each others praise and approval. When The Chinese make a call, they will say: “Hello, who are you?” “Who are you looking for?” “Whats your surname? I am so-and-so.” In Western culture, the customary t

25、elephone usage is “Whos this speaking, please?”2.2.3 Differences in Religious BeliefsThe generation of language is bound to be closely related to religion. It is always influenced by the long development of language. The shadow of religion has been projected into every field of language and culture.

26、 The number of words related to Religion in Chinese and English is huge and spectacular. For example, “天公”, “阴阳”, “菩萨”, etc. Language is the direct reflection of thought. The two totally different religious words are the true portraiture of two ethnic groups. Before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Confu

27、cianism and Taoism dominated the two religions in China. Many Chinese words related to religion were related to this, such as “太极”, “道”, “尊天命”, “行孝道”, “听天由命”. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, a large number of Buddhism came in, and a large number of Buddhist words came along. The idea of recurrent

28、 retribution was accepted and digested by Confucianism and Taoism. So Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism occupies the dominant position in China. In Britain, Christianity is the main religion. The teaching was introduced into Britain in 597 years. For a long time, a large number of related words came

29、 into English. There are words from Latin to English, such as angel（天使）, monk（僧侣）, as well as the words borrowed from French in the middle ages, such as religion（宗教）, dean（教长） and so on, as well as the large amount of words borrowed from other foreign languages in the modern English period. Its much more than other languages. For religious cultural differences, we should pay special attention to translation, otherwise it will cause misunderstanding or even cause disputes and contradictions because of improper translation.2.2.4 Differences in ValuesThe values of east and west are d