The Priciples for the Translation of English Idioms.docxVIP

Abstract：Idiom s are important, peculiar and indispensable part of a language. They are special linguistic units, for they are mainly characterized by their structural stability, semantic unity and contain various kinds of rhetorical devices and thus acquire a figurative meaning. Furthermore, being heavily loaded with cultural elements, they best reflect the culture of a nation. Consequently, they have been described as the crystallization of language and the concentrated culture. Having strong national characteristics as well as specific linguistic features, they bring about difficulties in translation. This paper suggests the principles that may be app lied in the translation of English idioms and also offers some points for attention. The author hopes that this paper will be of some help in guiding the English idiom translation and thus enhancing the effectiveness of cultural communication. Keywords：idioms; translation; principles 1. Introduction According to Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language(and college edition,1972), an idiom refers to an accepted phrase, construction, or expression contrary to the usual patterns of the language or having meaning different from the literal. That is, an idiom must be well established and accepted through common practice and an idiom usually has an implied meaning. In general, no elements in the idiom can be changed without destroying the sense as a whole and also it cannot be interpreted only according to its literal meaning. In a broad sense, English idiom s include set phrases, proverbs, sayings, colloquialisms, all us ions and slangs. Idiom’s are important, peculiar and indispensable part of a language. They are special linguistic units, for they are mainly characterized by their structural stability, semantic unity and contain various kinds of rhe2torical devices and thus acquire a figurative meaning. Furthermore, being heavily loaded with cultural elements, they best reflect the culture of a nation. C