摘要习语是一种语言的精华与文化的结晶。习语与普通表达法不同，它有着自身独特的特征。虽然许多的翻译学家对习语的翻译做了大量的研究但习语翻译至今仍是一个难题。本文采取例证分析方法研究习语的翻译。本文以等值理论以及杨宪益杜乃义夫妇在《红楼梦》翻译中采取的翻译策略为基础从各个角度探讨习语的翻译。习语的英译必须在翻译等值理论的基础上才能实现各个方面的等值。希望本文能对习语翻译提供帮助，使其对目标语读者更易于理解。49822              毕业论文关键词：翻译等值；习语；红楼梦

Abstract  Idioms are the essence of a language and the crystallization of a culture. They possess unique features that make them different from other common expressions. Although many translators have done a lot of researches on the translation of idioms, idiom translation still remains a hard nut to crack. This paper would adopt the method of case study. Based on Eugene Nida’s equivalence theory and translating strategies in the translation of A Dream of Red Mansion adopted by Yang, Xianyi, and Yang Gladys, this paper will study idioms translation from different aspects. Only based on the translation equivalence theory can the idiom translation achieve equivalence from various aspect. Hopefully this paper will be of great use for idiom translation so as to make them easy to understand for target readers.

Key words: equivalence translation; idiom; A Dream of Red Mansion

 Translation of the Idioms in A Dream of Red Mansion from the Perspective of Translation Equivalence

Contents

摘 要 i

Abstract ii

I. Introduction 1

II. A Brief Review of the Translation Equivalence Theory 2

 2.1 General Description of Equivalence Theory 2

 2.2 The Use of Equivalent Translation 3

III. Chinese Idioms in A Dream of Red Mansion and Factors Affecting Their Translation 4

 3.1 A Brief Introduction to A Dream of Red Mansion 4

 3.2 The Definition and Classification of Idiom 4

 3.3 The Features of Idioms in A Dream of Red Mansion 5

 3.4 Factors Affecting the Translation of Idioms 6

IV. Application of Translation Equivalence in Translation of Idioms in A Dream of Red Mansion 7

 4.1 Literal Translation 7

 4.2 Liberal Translation 8

 4.3 Combination of Literal and Liberal Translation 10

 4.4 Other Feasible Methods 11

V. Conclusion 13

Bibliography 15

Acknowledgements 16

I. Introduction

Idioms were described as the essence of language. They have vivid images and stable structures but special information of social history. As a matter of fact, there is no end of translating idioms in the famous literary works. A Dream of Red Mansions is one of the greatest classical novels in China and idioms are widely used in it. Many scholars have already discussed the translation of idioms in it from different aspects. 

Translation equivalence is not only a single concept but a series of thoughts, which can be regarded as equivalence theories. Many linguists and translation theorists have contributed a lot to it. It aims at conveying all the information in the source language into the target language to achieve the maximal equivalent effects in forms, meanings, styles and image function. This paper mainly talks about how to translate idioms in the book A Dream of Red Mansion with the equivalence theory.