英语本科毕业论文

本科毕业论文

汉语中处世谚语汉翻英的翻译方法—归化和

题目 （中文） 异化

Domestication and Foreignizaion---The Way to

Deal With CE Translation of Chinese Proverbs （ 外文） Conducting Oneself in Society

Translation of Chinese Proverbs of Conducting Oneself in Society

Abstract

This paper explores the way to deal with CE translation of Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society--- domestication and Foreignizaion. It focuses on the differences of using domestication and Foreignizaion in translating those proverbs. At the same time, this paper discusses the definitions and causes. Chinese proverbs are the concise phrases or clauses that spread widely in folk discourse. Most of them are connected with people‟s working experiences or life experiences, and generally have been passed down orally. As is known to all, although Chinese proverbs are among the essence of Chinese culture, it is easy to understand because of short form and simple meanings. Chinese proverbs have various kinds, like proverbs of life, livelihood, and agriculture, and so on. Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society summarize hundreds of years of people‟s experiences. And the translation of Chinese proverb of conducting oneself in society should pay attention to culture, custom, and language limitation. Domestication and Foreignizaion are the basic ways to translate from a language to another. This paper is devoted to find the balance between domestication and foreignizaion when translators deal with CE translation of Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society.

Key words: proverb; Foreignizaion; domestication; translation

Translation of Chinese Proverbs of Conducting Oneself in Society

Outline

Thesis Statement: This paper explores the differences of using domestication and

Foreignizaion in translating those proverbs and discusses the

definitions and causes of them. All these are devoted to find the

balance between domestication and Foreignizaion.

I. Introduction

II. The Usage of Foreignizaion in CE Translation of Chinese Proverb of

Conducting Oneself in Society

A. Appropriate Uses of Foreignizaion

B. Inappropriate Ways of Foreignizaion

III. The Usage of Domestication in CE Translation of Chinese Proverb of

Conducting Oneself in Society

A. Appropriate Uses of Domestication

B. Inappropriate Ways of Domestication

IV. The Complementarities of Domestication and Foreignizaion

A. The Combined Usages of Foreignization and Domestication

B. The Use of Foreignization and Domestication

C. The Principles of Balance

V. Conclusion

Translation of Chinese Proverb of Conducting Oneself in Society

I. Introduction

Mostly, every nation has its language and culture. In China, we have proverbs which are easy to understand in our pockets while other nations have their own slangs. All aspects of life and work have been involved in Chinese proverbs, like farming customs, climate, business, study, family, military, experiences, conduct, and so on. In order to communicate different culture with other nations, it is significant to translate Chinese proverbs into English. However, facing this kind of intercultural communication, the Chinese proverb translation needs to deal with the problems of translation. And with the great differences in two kinds of cultures, translators should know how to deal with "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance"? Translation is a kind of expression that sends out meaning from one language to another in order to communicate spirit and emotion, to spread culture and knowledge, to improve social civilization, especially to promote the prosperity of translating language and culture. Basically, there are two way of translation---domestication and Foreignizaion. Both ways have their own benefits. Venuti said: “foreignization is an approach that the translator leaves the author in peace, as much as possible, and moves the reader towards him while domestication is one that the translator leaves the reader in peace, as much as possible, and moves the author towards him” 1 It‟s noteworthy that this thesis is dealing with CE translation, therefore, domestication needs the translators to cling to English language and foreignizaion should lean to Chinese. And the purposes of translation are: (1) Communicating with other cultures. (2) Spreading Chinese culture. In order to achieve the two purposes, the most important thing is to keep balance between these two translating ways.

II. The Usage of Foreignizaion in CE Translation of Chinese Proverbs

of Conducting Oneself in Society

Foreignizaion is the strategy which breaks the rules of target language in purpose so that the translated text can keep the characteristics of the foreign culture. It is source language culture oriented or source language culture-oriented.

Foreignizaion requires translators to get closer to the original text (Chinese) than the received language (English), and tries to keep foreign flavor (sinicize) as possible as it could be.

A. Appropriate Uses of Foreignizaion

Lu Xun stated clearly that the only translation was foreignizing translation, and domesticating translation was not accepted nor was it encouraged. He declared that foreignness was the only requirement for translation and fluency could only be harmful to translation. There are many advantages of foreignization for the translation of Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society:

Firstly, foreignization conveys the meanings of source language (Chinese proverb) more accurately and adequately. e.g.:

(1) 人往高处走，水往低处流

People want to move up as water has to flow down. 2

(2) 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳

Once bitten by a snake, one shies at a coiled rope for the next ten years. 3

Example (2) has the same meaning in English “a scalded cat fears cold water”. Some people may doubt that “a scalded cat fears cold water” is more acceptable to English speakers to understand this Chinese proverb, however, there is a huge difference of these two translations. For most Chinese people, a snake is dangerous and evil and a cat is their friend as a house guarder. Therefore, the first way of translation expresses the feature of the Chinese proverb more accurate.

Secondly, foreignization is more active and interesting in translation of Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society. It can be provided with the Chinese

characters. e.g.:

你走你的阳关道，我走我的独木桥

You take the open road, and I‟ll take the one-log bridge—you go your way,

and I‟ll go mine. 4

Considering the culture and custom of English, some people translate this proverb into “All roads lead to Rome”. Both translated texts are about choosing of

我roads. However, “All roads lead to Rome” is entirely improper. “你走你的阳关道，

走我的独木桥” contain a potential meaning that one will take his or her own way while others choose another way.

Thirdly, foreignization of translating Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society clings to not only their meanings but also their forms. Chinese proverbs, unlike the Chinese ancient poem, have many kinds of forms. Foreignization in forms offers a chance for English speaking readers to learn Chinese proverbs better. What‟s more, it can bring enjoyment of artistically rhythm. e.g.:

(1) 不求无功，但求不过

Not aspire to be meritorious but only to be blameless. 5

(2) 不入虎穴，焉得虎子

Nothing venture, nothing gain. 6

(3) 吃一堑长一智

A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit. 7

(4) 月满则亏水满则溢

The moon waxes only to wane, the water brims only to overflow. 8

(5) 看菜吃饭量体裁衣

Fit the appetite to the dishes and the dress to the figure. 9

If we just use the method of foreignizaion to translate Chinese proverbs and only care about offering an easier way for readers to understand, readers will never get the original text.

Language is the reflection of culture. The purpose of translation is to use appropriate language to transfer the proper meaning to readers. Although the culture of China and English speaking country are very different, translators have the

translating strategy --- foreignization ---a way of being foreign flavor to show an alien culture for readers.

B. Inappropriate Ways of Foreignizaion

Although foreignizaion is the major method of translation, it doesn‟t mean that we could use it everywhere. Actually, overuses of foreignizaion will lead misunderstandings and doubts of source text. Foreignization has two major limitations in translation: the limitations of the culture of target language (English); the limitations of understanding of readers in target language (English). e.g.:

(1) 打狗看主人

You‟d better look at its master before you hit a dog. (False) 10

Don't you know what his background is? (True)

Look at this example, and we can learn the importance of the balance of two very different cultures. In English speaking countries, dogs stand for loyalty and braveness and even are named “the best friend of human”. What‟s more, phrases like “love me, love my dog” “Every dog has its day” show that their culture of loving dog. However, it‟s hardly to find in Chinese proverbs to speak highly of dogs. For example:“狗头军师(a person who offers bad advices)”；“挂羊头卖狗肉hang up a sheep‟s head but sells dog‟s meat---try to palm off something inferior )”；“好狗不挡道(god dog doesn‟t block the way)”；“狗皇帝(the dog emperor---means the emperor is too bad to be a human being)”. And the translation---“don't you know what his background is?” ---is the corresponding proverb in English. It‟s much easier for English language speaking readers to understand.

(2) 请神容易送神难

It is easy to invite god but hardly to send him home. (False)

It is easy to invite somebody but hardly to send him away. (True) 11

In this example, “god” meets the same situation in example (1). In those kinds of proverbs, we can‟t just translate in foreignizaion.

(3) 宁可信其有，不可信其无

Would rather believe it‟s to have, not suspect its no. (False)

You‟d better believe the bad thing exist rather than suspect no. (True) 12

The target language readers‟ reception is one of the most important things for a translator because their understandings and interests are the purposes of translation. In example(3), “Would rather believe it‟s to have, not suspect its no.” it is impossible for the target language readers to understand these “have” or “no”. So I prefer the second translation which explains the meaning clearly to the readers.

(4) 没有规矩，不能成方圆

No rules, no square and round. (False)

Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. (True) 13

In this example, it might be difficult for readers to understand that “square and round” means “rules” in Chinese, but square and round in English dictionaries are just square and round. However, it also means accomplished things. In those kinds of proverbs, we can‟t just translate in foreignizaion.

III. The Usage of Domestication in CE Translation of Chinese

Proverb of Conducting Oneself in Society

Domestication is the strategy which reduces the readers‟ unfamiliarity of foreign texts by translating them transparently. It is target language culture oriented or TL culture-oriented. If foreignizaion doesn‟t work, translators should try to escape from the limitations of the original text when dealing with the Chinese to English translation of Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society. In this occasion, translators often use domestication in translation.

A. Appropriate Uses of Domestication

Nida said: “Translation is that in the target language we use the most appropriate and most natural words of equivalence to reproduce the information in source language, during which meaning is the first and the following is style.”14 Domestication requires translators to get closer to the target language(English) text and try to be accepted by readers.

Firstly, when the obstructions of different cultures cannot be surmounted,

translators should elude the limitations of the source proverbs and find out common uses in the same conditions. e.g.:

(1) 谋事在人，成事在天

Man proposes, Heaven disposes.

Man proposes, God disposes.

Sentence (1) belongs to foreignizaion translation, while sentence two belongs to domestication translation. In Chinese culture, “天” dominates nature, and God(上帝) is in charge of nature in western faith.

(2) 十年河东十年河西

Luck goes from person to person. 15

The example (2) “十年河东十年河西” means “Luck goes from person to person” in English. Some other people translated this proverb in foreignization “someone lived ten years in the east of the river and another ten years in the west”. This kind of translation puzzles readers with their little knowledge about Chinese culture.

(3) 冤家宜解不宜结

Better make friends than make enemies. 16

In example (3), the phrase “冤家” means a person whom one can‟t help loving dearly in spite of all his fault and the enemy or foe of a person in Chinese. When translators deal with this kind of fuzzy words in Chinese, they should translate the proverbs in domestication for eluding the misunderstanding in the CE translation of Chinese proverbs.

(4) 近朱者赤近墨者黑

Touch pitch and you will be defiled. 17

In the translating way of foreignization, sentence (4) means “one who nears vermilion becomes red and one who nears ink becomes black”. However, this proverb is not talking about the color but who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl. Therefore, translators should choose a selected intelligible translated text in domestication for readers.

Secondly, although the source proverbs are visualized, it‟s unable to translate

them properly in foreignization. And when English speakers are familiar with the source proverbs in Chinese translators choose a more accepted way---domestication to translation Chinese proverbs for readers. e.g.:

良禽择木而栖

Good birds select their own roots---a learned man chooses a master of

integrity to serve under.

This Chinese proverb indicates “a learned man chooses a master of integrity to serve under” in Chinese. If we don‟t take care of readers‟ understanding, it could be “a fine birds chooses a tree to perch”. It‟s completely strange! So we have to bring it into domestication. Although the translation “good birds select their own roots---a learned man chooses a master of integrity to serve under” is much longer, it shows clear meaning.

Thirdly, borrowing the proverbs with the same meanings in target language, translators can translate the proverbs more clear to readers. Although many differences exist between Chinese and English language, there are still some similar parts. e.g.:

(1) 自助者，天助也

God helps those who help themselves. 18

(2) 有志者事竟成

Where there is a will, there is a way. 19

(3) 为人不做亏心事，夜半敲门人不惊

A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder. 20

(4) 己所不欲勿施于人

Do not do to others as you would not be done by. 21

(5) 一次被火烧，二次避火苗

A burnt child dreads the fire. 22

(6) 鹬蚌相争渔翁得利

Two dogs for a bone, and the third runs away with it. 23

Because of the massive culture gap between Chinese and English, all these previous Chinese proverbs are extremely difficult to understand for English. As a

result, translators need to find proper proverbs in English to translate those Chinese proverbs.

B. Inappropriate Ways of Domestication

A normal overdoing expression of domestication is to use English slangs indiscriminately to replace the Chinese proverbs. The abused moves and copies may break the exotic atmosphere of source language and engender illusory feelings. These kinds of wrong uses of domestication may be the causes of extra imaginations or lead to an illusion of culture. For example:

无毒不丈夫

No cruelty, no victor. (False)

Ruthlessness is the mark of a truly great man. ／ One who is not ruthless is

not a truly great man. (True) 24

The first example, “No cruelty, no victor” explain the spirit of “无毒不丈夫”, however, the Chinese phrase “丈夫” in Chinese does not only mean a husband or a winner but a kind of quality which contains courage, responsibility, loyal and so on. So the word “victor” is inappropriate for this Chinese phrase, because “丈夫” might be a failure but he is till respected by people. “No cruelty, no victor” is the over usage of domestication. What‟s more, this proverb involves the Chinese cultures and traditions which are different from the other countries. Therefore, when dealing with the culture shocks, translators need to put the Chinese proverbs into an article and understand the resource meaning firstly.

IV. The Complementarities of Domestication and Foreignizaion

A. The Combined Usages of Foreignization and Domestication

For many occasions, either domestication or foreignization was fails to translate because of the differences of two cultures. Therefore, translators need to combine domestication and foreignization together. e.g.:

(1) 司马昭之心路人皆知

Sima Zhao‟s ill intent is known to all; the villain‟s design is obvious. 25 (2) 话不投机半句多

When the conversation gets disagreeable, to say one word more is a waste

of breath. 26

(3) 各人自扫门前雪，休管他人瓦上霜

Sweep the snow from your own front door and leave the frost on the other man‟s roof to thaw. Hoe one‟s own potatoes. 27 (4) 井水不犯河水

Well water and river leave each other alone, stay out of things that don‟t concern you. 28

In example (1), the first half of the translated text “Sima Zhao‟s ill intent is known to all” is translated in foreignization so that readers will be familiar with the old story about Sima Zhao in Chinese history. And the rest part “the villain‟s design is obvious” is translated in domestications for readers to understand the deep meanings of this proverb. Example (2), (3) and (4) also combine foreignization with domestication in CE translation ensuring the accuracy and attraction of the translated texts.

B. The Use of Foreignization and Domestication

For example: (1) 五十步笑一百步

The soldier who is treated fifty paces laughed at the one who had fallen back a hundred paces.

The pot calls the kettle black. 29

(2) 忠言逆耳，良药苦口

Honest opinions go against your ears while the good medicine tastes bitter. What hurts us instructs us. 30

(3) 水能载舟亦能覆舟

Water can float a boat, and it can also overturn a boat.

Something that can help you to success usually carries great risk. 31 It is accepted by readers when the translated texts have explained the meanings

of Chinese proverbs clearly in foreignization. At the same time, translations in domestication can be adopted as they are faithful to the source texts. Therefore, translators can use both of the translated texts in foreignization and domestication to transmit the Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society for readers. C. The Principles of Balance

Foreignizaion and domestication are both important for the practice of translation. If we want to translate the Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society clearly, we should not only choose one method. We need to associate the ways for translating with the types, culture background, the target language readers‟ receiving limitations and so on.

For foreignizaion, we can not only insist the “be alike in appearance” or “foreign flavor”. The main purpose of Chinese proverb translation is to show the westerns our culture, and to explain the meanings to them until they understand. However, we should not show off, otherwise, no one knows what we are talking about.

For domestication, we need to know that the spirit of our translation is to spread our history and culture. If translators take little care of the target language (English) and only use the source language (Chinese) to express the Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society, it will be a disaster for English speakers who want to learn and know more about Chinese culture, because they might be totally misunderstand the meanings of these old Chinese proverbs.

For the Chinese proverb of conducting oneself in society, the huge difference between Chinese culture and western cultures block the translation. Therefore, we need to be more careful and find the balance between foreignizaion and domestication while we are translating the Chinese proverbs of conducting oneself in society.

V. Conclusion

According to Liu Bingbing‟s research, “Compare with Chinese character of

being inclined to be modest, the westerns tend to emphasize self-value and independence, therefore, they consider more about individual aspect than social aspect, and speak directly according to the truth.”32 As these kinds of culture gaps existed, a responsible translator will study as far as possible about the source language and the target language for making sure the veracity of translation. For foreignizaion and domestication, the major methods of translation, they have their own advantages and disadvantages. Just like Shuna said: “There is no perfect translation method for a particular text. In translation practice, these two methods will be adopted to pursue the best translation result. ”33 Although she didn‟t mean foreignizaion and domestication, the substance is the same one---look for the best translation result.

We should make full use of both Foreignizaion and domestication according to different conditions. “The translator can either leave the writer in peace as much as possible or bring the reader to him, or he can leave the reader in peace as much as possible and bring the writer to him. „Bring the reader to the original text‟ would correspond to requiring him to process the translation in context of the original; „[The translator] thus tries to transport [the reader] to its location, which, in all reality, is foreign to him.‟ ”34

Notes

1

Lawrence Venuti, The Translator’s Invisibility：A History of Translation

(London and New York: Routledge, 1995), 56.

2 3 4 5

冯广鹏，《新编百事谚语》，北京：北京燕山出版社，2008年，第48页。 同上, 第57页。 同上, 第56页。

司显柱，《汉译英教程》，上海：东华大学出版社，2009年，第47页。 同上，第77页。 同上, 第55页。 同上, 第54页。 同上, 第46页。 冯，第36页。 同上, 第98页。 同上, 第59页。 同上, 第88页。

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14

Eugene A. Nida, Language, Culture And Translation (Shanghai: Shanghai

Foreign Language Education Press, 1993), 116.

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

司，第38页。 同上, 第35页。 同上, 第81页。 同上, 第69页。 同上, 第74页。 同上, 第73页。 同上, 第112页。 同上, 第74页。 同上, 第45页。 冯，第56页。 司，第78页。

26 27 28 29 30 31 32

同上, 第64页。 同上, 第63页。 同上, 第65页。 同上, 第66页。 同上, 第64页。 同上，第66页。

余利军，《英语翻译理论与实践论文集》，北京：对外经济贸易大学出版

社，2009年，第27页。

3334

同上，第98页。

Wolfram Wilss, The Science of Translation: Problems and Methods (London

& New York：Routledge, 2001), 172.

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Venuti, Lawrence. The Translator’s Invisibility：A History of Translation. London &

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