論數(shù)字習語翻譯的文化取向

摘要：本文旨在探討中英數(shù)字習語及其翻譯。數(shù)字不僅僅用于計算，它包含豐富的內(nèi)涵，折射出中國和英語國家獨特的文化。眾所周知，數(shù)字習語來源于各自民族的歷史事件，傳說故事，宗教和生活等等方面。數(shù)字習語的含義遠遠超過習語中各個字詞意思的簡單組合，比單個數(shù)字的意思豐富得多。要正確理解及恰當?shù)姆g數(shù)字習語，必須廣泛了解兩種文化。譯員須分清特定語境中數(shù)字習語的字面意思，比喻意思，內(nèi)涵意義，才能著手翻譯。在翻譯中，可運用替代，直譯，意譯使譯文與原文盡可能的相符。

關(guān)鍵詞：文化；數(shù)字習語；內(nèi)涵；翻譯

On the Cultural Aspect of Numeral Idiom Translation

Abstract

This paper is to explore both the Chinese and English numeral idioms, and to discuss the translation strategies. A number is not only used as a counting and calculation tool, but also carries profound connotations, reflecting the unique culture of both China and English-speaking countries. As is known, numeral idioms are formed on the basis of a nation’s history, economy, culture, tradition and custom. Their meanings are beyond the simple sum of each word in the idioms, and much more profound than that of a single number. To correctly comprehend and properly translate numeral idioms calls for a wide range of background knowledge concerning the culture in both source language and target language. The translator should distinguish the literal, figurative and connotative meanings of the numeral idioms in the given context before they get down to translating them. The three mainly translation strategies, substitution, literal translation, free translation, are suggested to be carefully selected to make the rendition equivalent to the original numeral idioms as much as possible.

Key words: culture; numeral idioms; connotation; translation

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Li Fangqin, both for her intellectual guidance and for her warm and constant encouragement during the process of writing this thesis. With patience and prudence, she labored through drafts of this thesis and pointed out defects in my theorizing. Therefore, I owe all the merits in this thesis, if any, to her, though I am fully aware that the thesis might still contain some mistakes, for which I bear the whole responsibility.
My cordial and sincere thanks go to all the teachers in the Department of English, whose interesting and informative courses have benefited me a lot during my college years. The profit that I gained from their profound knowledge, remarkable expertise and intellectual ingenuity will be of everlasting significance to my future life and career.
I am also very grateful to my classmates, who have given me a lot of help and courage during my stay in the University and throughout the process of writing this thesis.
Last but not the least, big thanks go to my family who have shared with me my worries, frustrations, and hopefully my ultimate happiness in eventually finishing this thesis.

Contents
中文摘要………………………………………………………………...………….i
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………..ii
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………iii
Introduction……………………………………………………………………….....1
Ⅰ. Numeral Idioms and Their Cultural Connotations………………………………2
   A. Distinctive Preference towards Numbers…………………………………….2
   B. Concept of “Idioms”………………………………………………………….3
C. Main Origin of Numeral Idioms and the Connotations………………………3
Ⅱ. Translation of Numeral Idioms…………………………………………………..7
   A. Comprehension……………………………………………………………….7
   B. Expression…………………………………………………………………….8
 1. Substitution………………………………………………………………...9
      2. Literal Translation………………………………………………………..10
      3. Free Translation…………………………………………………………..12
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..16
Notes………………………………………………………………………………...17
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………....19