摘 要

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

1.1 Need for the Study 1

1.2 Research Purpose 1

1.3 Structure of the Thesis 2

Chapter 2 Literature review 3

2.1 The Definition of Functional Equivalence Theory 3

2.2 The Theoretical Studies on Functional Equivalence Theory 3

2.3 The Application of Functional Equivalence Theory 5

2.4 A General Overview of Translation between Chinese and English Idioms 5

Chapter 3 Research Methodology 7

3.1 Research Questions 7

3.2 Data Collection 7

3.3 Data Analysis 7

Chapter 4 Results and Discussion 8

4.1 Strategies Used in Chinese-English Translations of Idioms to Achieve Functional Equivalence 8

4.1.1 Literal Translation Plus Annotation 8

4.1.2 Free Translation 9

4.1.3 A Combination of Both Literal Translation and Free Translation 9

4.1.4 Omission 10

4.2 Strategies Used in English-Chinese Translations of Idioms to Achieve Functional Equivalence 10

4.2.1 Literal Translation Plus Annotation 10

4.2.2 Free Translation 10

4.2.3 A Combination of both Literal Translation and Free Translation 11

4.2.4 Amplification 12

4.3 Similarities and Differences between the Functional Equivalence Strategies of the Translation of Chinese and English Idioms 12

4.3.1 Similarities between the Functional Equivalence Strategies of the Translation of Chinese and English Idioms 12

4.3.2 Differences between the Functional Equivalence Strategies of the Translation of Chinese and English Idioms 12

Chapter 5 Conclusion 14

5.1 Major Findings 14

5.2 Implications 14

5.3 Limitations for this Study and Suggestions for Future Research 14

Acknowledgement

As a senior, I am obligated to write a qualified paper. In order to complete it, I prepared for a long time and read some professional books and electronic documents. Despite this, I am still not confident. During this time, I have been criticized and encouraged. Hereby I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to those who have given me their valuable suggestions and support.

First, my thanks go to Prof. Hu Yuanjiang, my supervisor, who has providing necessary opinion for me. He always reads my drafts carefully and gives revision recommendations as soon as possible. I’m so thankful for that. I am stubborn and have gone through a detour. I had a disagreement with the teacher. He advised me to adopt his opinion and tell me the pros and cons. Because of my humble opinion, I added a lot of unnecessary trouble to the teacher. I am not only grateful but also apologize to Prof. Hu Yuanjiang. Without his critical advice, there would not have been the present thesis.

Besides, I’m also grateful to my dear classmates for their kindness and generous help throughout my life in the college.

Last but not least, I’d like to express my gratefulness to my dearest parents who always show their enduring love and support to me, which motivates me to make unremitting efforts to accomplish my present thesis.

Abstract

Idioms are both a living fossil of language and a creative pioneer. Using idioms can make our articles vivid. No one can deny that it is very necessary to study the translation of Chinese and English idioms. It is also a challenging task for translators to deal with cultural idioms. Considering the hardship in and the importance of idiom translating, Euge Nida's functional equivalence theory has a deep theoretical and practical basis. It not only sets the ideal goal for the translator, but also points out the relativeness and flexibility of translation, and it plays a significant role in the translation of Chinese and English idioms.

Through the basic research of this theory, combined with representative case analysis, the author tries to go through several different commonly used translation strategies, and seeks the Chinese-English and English-Chinese translation of idioms to reach the equilibrium of functional equivalence. The Author found that whether the Chinese idiom is translated into English or vice versa, the essence is the same, that is, the translated works should make the foreign readers produce the same natural reaction as the native readers.

To sum up, first, free translation, literal translation plus annotation, a combination of both literal translation and free translation and omission are used in Chinese-English translations of idioms to achieve functional equivalence. Second, free translation, literal translation plus annotation, a combination of both literal translation and free translation and amplification are used in English-Chinese translations of idioms to achieve functional equivalence. Third, the similarities between the functional equivalence strategies of the translation of Chinese and English idioms are free translation, literal translation plus annotation, a combination of both literal translation free translation. The differences are the former also uses omission and the latter uses amplification. This view may have a positive impact on future idiom translation studies and promote the dissemination and application of functional equivalence theory in China. Above all, it not only allows Westerners to better understand China's profound and unique culture, but also helps us to absorb and utilize the excellent culture of the West to enrich our existing culture.

Keywords: idioms; Functional Equivalence; translation

中文摘要

习语既是语言的活化石，也是创造性的先驱。而且使用习语可以使我们的文章更加生动。毋庸置疑，研究汉英习语的翻译是非常有必要的。翻译人员处理文化习语也是一项具有挑战性的任务。考虑到习语翻译的困难和重要性，尤金奈达的功能对等理论具有深刻的理论和实践基础。它不仅为译者设定了理想的目标，而且指出了翻译的相对性和灵活性，在翻译中英文成语中起着重要作用。

通过对该理论的应用，并结合代表性案例分析，笔者试图通过几种不同的常用翻译策略，寻求习语的汉英翻译从而达到功能对等的均衡。 研究发现，汉英习语互译的本质是相同的，即翻译好作品应该使译语接受者与原语接受者能获得大致相同的反应。

首先，意译，直译和注释，直译和意译结合与省略用于习语的汉英翻译，以实现功能对等。其次，意译，直译和注释，直译和意译结合与增译法用于成语的英汉翻译，以实现功能对等。第三，汉英习语翻译的功能对等策略之间的相似之处是自由翻译，直译和注释，两种翻译的结合。差异是前者也使用省略，后者使用增译法。译者希望这一观点对未来成语翻译研究产生积极影响，促进功能对等理论在中国的传播和应用。最重要的是，它不仅可以让西方人更好地了解中国深厚而独特的文化，还可以帮助我们吸收和利用西方的优秀文化，丰富我们现有的文化。

关键词：习语；功能对等；翻译

Chapter 1 Introduction

Grammar is the induction and summary of linguistic rules, and it is the law of word-making. But only most of the language rules can be summarized in the grammar book, and there are many things that go beyond the language rules: idioms. Idioms are a common expression of a nation's use of its own language. It has both grammatical parts and parts that go beyond grammar and logic. Its expressions are beautiful in syllable, temperamental coordination, or thought-provoking humor, and they are sententious, iconic , and interesting, giving people a sense of enjoyment. I chose to study idioms because some people despise idioms and think that it is too simple to study. I believe that simple idioms are easy to be ignored. Since many people study idioms, they illustrate the charm and enduring value of idioms. And I respect Eugene Nida very much. When I try to translate idioms, I got some thoughts from the functional equivalence theory.

1.1 Need for the Study

The thesis has both practical and academic meanings. On the one hand, I have a new understanding of the cultural connotations represented by idioms, such as the main background sources of idioms such as history, navigation, and animal symbols. On the other hand, the study of various translation versions will in return enrich the existing translation theories and make the translation field more flourishing.

1.2 Research Purpose

This paper intends to make a judgment on this method and try to give some suggestions. The world is changing with each passing day, and the popularity of the Internet has made the language undergo greater transformation and integration than ever before. The idioms are in a state of continuous development. Social progress gives new meaning to idioms. With the help of Nida’s theory, this paper will focus on the overlap and difference between Chinese and English cultur from the perspective of idiom translatione.

1.3 Structure of the Thesis

This chapter explains the theoretical framework in detail on which the thesis will be put forward. It mainly consists of some fundamental introduction about functional equivalence theory，the origin and classification of Chinese and English Idioms, several translation methods combined with specific examples and relevant summarized similarities and differences.

Chapter 2 Literature review

This chapter mainly introduces what is functional equivalence, how to use functional equivalence.

2.1 The Definition of Functional Equivalence Theory

Functional equivalence theory can withstand the test of time, pointing out the direction of progress for countless scholars who are trekking on the road of translation. In brief, the exact equivalence of Eugene Nida's functional equivalence theory mainly corporate: 1. lexical equivalence, 2. syntactic equivalence, 3. chapter equivalence, 4. stylistic equivalence. Take Chinglish as a common example.