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Thispapercontainsthreeparts:thesourcesofEnglishproverbs、thefunctionsofEnglishproverbsandtherhetoricaldevicesofEnglishproverbs.
Firstly,itintroducesthesourcesofEnglishproverbs.Proverbshavealonghistory.Theyarebriefandwell-polishedexpressionsembeddedinphilosophicalideasconcerningdifferentaspectsoflife.Theyarethesummaryofpeopleexperienceineverydaylife,sotheyoriginatedfrompeople’sdailylifeandexperience.Tobespecific,theycomefromfolklife,religion,mythology,literaryworks,otherlanguages,famouswriters’wisdom,anation’shistoryandsoon.
Secondly,itmentionsthefunctionofEnglishproverbs.Itsfunctionistoteachandadvisepeoplewhattheyseeintheirlives.ManyEnglishproverbsguidepeopletoadoptacorrectattitudetowardslifeandtotakeaproperwaytogetalongwellwithothers.Someotherproverbstellpeoplewhattodoandhowtodoit,sotheproverbsguidepeople’sdailylife.Fromthem,peoplemaybroadentheirknowledgeandoutlook.
Thirdly,itdescribestheirrhetoricaldevices.Englishproverbsarerichandcolorful.WithregardtotheeverlastingcharmoftheEnglishproverbs,therearemanydifferentreasons.Themostimportantoneistheextensiveuseofrhetoricaldevicesandrhythmaticalways,sotheirlanguageisfullofimageandvividnessandhasastrongartisticbeautyandpower.
[KeyWords]Englishproverbs;sources;functions;rhetoricaldevices
谚语丰富多彩,生动隽永,反映了每个民族追崇的重要而独特的文化价值观。谚语简单通俗,精辟凝练,尤其以朗朗的口语形态承传沿用,渐渐成为民族主流文化不可缺少的一部分。
1.Introduction
Proverbsareshortsayingsoffolkwisdomofwell-knownfactsortruthscompendiousexpressedandinawaythatmakesthemeasytoremember.Becausetheproverbsaresobrief,theyhaveuniversalappeal.Manypeoplelovetopickupproverbs.Theuseofoneortwointheoriginallanguageisoftenaminorvictoryforthebeginningforeignlanguagelearners.Proverbsmayprovideinterestinglittleglimpsesorcluestoapeople’sgeography,history,socialorganization,socialviews,andattitudes.Peoplewholivealongseacoastsandwhoselivelihoodisdependentontheseawillhaveproverbsaboutsailing,aboutbravingtheweather,aboutfishandfishing.Incultureswhereoldageisrevered,therewillbeproverbsaboutthewisdomoftheelders.Andinsocietieswherewomen’sstatusislow,therewillbeanumberofsayingsdemeaningthem.
Proverbstellmuchaboutapeople''''straditionalwaysofexperiencingreality,abouttheproperorexpectedwaysofdoingthings,aboutvaluesandwarnings,andrulesandwisdomstheelderswanttoimpressonthemindsoftheiryoung.Theimportantcharacterofproverbs‘theshorterthebetter’makesiteasytocommitthemtomemoryforreadyrecallwhentheoccasioncallsforseriousorhumorouscommentorwarning.Createdbypeopleinhighandlowstatus,humblefolkandgreatauthors,borrowedfromancientorneighboringcultures,proverbshavebeenaccumulatingovermanycenturies.Someareonlylocallyknown;manyaresharedaroundtheworld.IfonewantstohavebetterknowledgeofEnglishculture,heshouldbefamiliarwiththesourcesandfunctionsofEnglishproverbs.
2.ThesourcesofEnglishproverbs
2.1Originatingfromfolklife
Proverbsarethesummaryofpeopleexperienceintheireverydaylife.Thesummarizedexperienceandreasonareabstractedfromthepracticeofpeople’slifeandwork.Theyexpresspeople’ssimpleandhealthythoughts,feelingsandsentiments.Moreoftenthannot,itrevealsauniversaltruthfromaparticularpointsoastoenlightenpeople.
Agreatnumbero
fproverbswerecreatedbyworkingpeoplesuchasseamen,hunters,farmers,workmen,housewivesandcooksandsoon,usingfamiliartermsthatwereassociatedwiththeirowntradesandoccupations.Forexample,Livingwithouttheaimislikesailingwithoutacompasswasfirstusedbyseamen;Ifyourunaftertwohares,youwillcatchneitherbyhunters;Aprilrainsforcorn,May,forgrassbyfarmers;NewbroomsweepscleanbyhousewivesandToomanycooksspoilthebrothbycooks,etc.Suchexpressionswereallcolloquialandinformalandonceconfinedtoalimitedgroupofpeopleengagedinthesametradeoractivity.Buttheywereprovedtobevivid,andforcibleandstimulating,solatertheybrokeoutoftheirboundsandgraduallygainedwideacceptance.Asaresult,theirearlystylisticfeaturesfadedinsomewayandmanyhavecometobecomepartofthecommoncoreoflanguage,nowbeingusedindifferentoccasions.
Someproverbsarerelatedtosomefolkpracticeandcustoms.Forexample,Goodwineneedsnobush.1ThisproverbisfromanancientpopularEnglishpractice.Inthepast,Englishwinemerchantstendedtohangsomeivybushesorapictureofivybushesontheirdoorsasasymbolofwineselling.Butsomemerchant’swinewassogoodthatitcan’tbeignoredwithoutsign.Thisinfactshowsthepastcommonpracticethatmerchantsofdifferenttradeswouldhangdifferentparticularthingsassignsfortheirgoods.
Anotherexampleisinvolvedwithpeople’sweddingpractice.Englishpeoplebelievedthatiftheweatherwerefineandsunnyonagirl-weddingday,thegirlwouldmostprobablyenjoyahappymarriagelife.Otherwise,allsortsofmisfortunesandtragedieswouldbefallonher.Becauseofthiscustom,EnglishpeoplehavegotaproverbHappyisthebridethatsunshineson.2ThisproverboriginatedfromthecommonpracticeinancientChina.Inthepast,younggirlsdidn’thavetherighttodecidewhomtomarry.Theirparentshadthefinaldecisionintheirmarriage.Usually,theparentswouldaskamatchmakerforhelp.Thematchmakerwentbetweentwofamiliesandpassedonthemessages.Finally,thegirl’sparentsmadethefinaldecisionwhetherthegirlwouldmarrythechosenboyornot.Thisisknownasarrangedmarriage.Suchamarriage,moreoftenthannot,wouldleadthecoupletoanunhappylife.Becausetheyseldomorevenneversaweachotherbefore,theyknewevenlittleabouttheotherparty’sbehaviorormanners,letalonehis/herpersonalityorvirtues.Itwasoftenbeyondthecouple’shopestoenjoyahappymarriage.
Someproverbscamefromancientpeopledeeplyrootedbeliefssuchastheirsuperstitioustendencyandbelief.Inthepast,Englishpeoplebelievedthatifapersonspoiledsaltfromthesaltbottle,misfortuneandbadluckwouldfollow.Thenthispersonmustscatterthespoiledsaltfromtheirleftshoulderssoastodriveofftheirillluck.Inturn,EnglishpeoplehavegottheproverbHelpmetosaltandyouhelpmetosorrow.3Someproverbscomefrompeople’sdistinctionbetweensexessuchastheirdiscriminationagainstwomen.Itcomesfromadeeplyrootedtraditionalviewpoint.SuchasThreewomenandagoosemakeamarket;Longhairandshortwit;Themorewomenlookintheirglass,thelesstheylooktotheirhouse.
2.2Originatingfromreligion
AnotherproverbisalsofromtheBible:Onedoesn’tliveonlybybread.ItisfromtheBible,Deuteronomy,thegeneralideais:“RememberthelongwaythattheLordyourGodhasledyouthesefortyyearsinthewilderness,inordertohumbleyou,testingyoutoknowwhatwasinyourheart,whetherornotyouwouldkeephiscommandments.Hehumbledyoubylettingyouhunger,thenbyfeedingyouwithManna,withwhichneitheryounoryourancestorswereacquainted,inordertomakeyouunderstandthatonedoesnotlivebybreadalone,butbyeverywordthatcomesfromthemouthoftheLord.”5Fromthis,wecanknowthatmaterialisnottheonlythingthatisindispensabletomen.Spiritisalsoveryimportant.Isoneisonlysearchedformaterial,hewillbeconsideredasanimals,forthemostdistinctivecharacteristicbetweenmenandanimalsisthatmenhavepursuitofspiritbutanimalshaven’t.Manyimagesintheseproverbshavedidacticmeanings.
EnglishpeoplebelieveinChristianity,whichisbyfarthemostinfluentialreligioninthewest.Everyaspectofman’slifeistouchedbythisreligion,sothatithasbecomepartofwesternculture.AndtheBible,whichincludestheOldTestamentandtheNewTestament,isregardedasthescriptures.AlmosteveryfamilyhasaversionofBible,soithascometobeoneofthemajorsourcesofEnglishculture.ManyEnglishproverbsshowthedoctrinesoftheirreligion.Forexample,Letnotthylefthandknowwhatthyrighthanddoeth.6AccordingtothedoctrinesofBible:allhumanbeingsarebrothersandsisters,andtheyshouldhelpeachother.Sowhenyougivehandstoothers,neverkeepthememorythatyouhavehelpedthem.Anotherexample,Iftheblindleadtheblind,bothshallfallintotheditch.7Itimpliesthatifonehaslittleknowledge,itisdifficultforhimtoteachotherssomeusefulthings.Evenifhetriedtohelpothers,hewoulddonothinggoodtothem.
2.3Originatingfromliteraryworks
ManyEnglishproverbsinvolveeventsorcharactersofEnglishliterature,especiallyfromShakespeare.Shakespeare’sinsightintohumanbeings,hissensitivitytotheproblemofstate,andhisgeniuswithwordshaveleftaneverlastingmarkontheEnglishlanguageandthethinkingofEnglish-speakingpeopleallovertheworld.NativespeakersofEnglishquotehisworkseveryday,oftenwithoutrealizingtheyaredoingso.Althoughhisplayswerewrittenoverthreehundredyearsago,manyEnglishproverbsfromhisplaysarecitedcommonlyindailyEnglish.
Shakespeare’sworksareprobablythemostcolorfulliteratureoriginofproverbs.Forexample,Allisnotgoldthatglitters.ThisproverbisfromthegreatworksofShakespeareTheMerchantsofVenice.Itshowsusthatthosewhohaveagoodappearancearenotreallylearned.Soweshouldbecarefulnottobedeceivedbythosewhoaresuperficiallyflashybutwithoutsubstance.Anotherexample,Patienceperforceismedicineforamaddog8isfromShakespeare’sworksAntonyandCleopatra.Ittellsusthatthosewhocannotendureanythingwouldlosehistemperlikesamaddog.
ManyEnglishproverbsarealsofromTheFablesofAesop.Theseproverbsareveryconciseandhumorous,andtheyreflecttheessenceandthetruemeaningoflife.Itisveryeasyforpeopletounderstandthemandtoputthemintopractice.Manyofthemarepasseddowntilltoday.Forexample,Thecamelgoingtoseekhorns,losthisears.9Thegeneralideaoftheallusionis:acowshowedoffhishornsinfrontofacamel.Thecamelwasenviousofcow’shorns,soherequestedZeustogiveapairofhornstohim.Zeuswasveryangry,becausehethoughtthatthecamelwasgreedytoaskforhornswithhissohugebody.Atlast,hemadeadecisionthatheletthecamelhavehornsbutwiththecostofcuttingoffapartofhisears.Thisproverbtellsusthatifoneisgreedytooccupyeverything,hewillbepunishedbyhisgreed.
AnotherproverbisalsofromtheFablesofAesop.“Thegrapesaresour”,asthefoxsaidwhenhecouldnotreachthem.10Theallusion,whichthisproverbcamefrom,isgenerallylikethis:oneday,ahungryfoxsawalotofripegrapeshangingonthegrapevine.Hebeathisbrainshardbutcouldnotfindawaytopickthegrapes.Thehungrierhefelt,theangrierhegot.Finally,hegaveup.Inordertocomforthimself,“Thegrapesaresour”,thefoxsaidwhilewalkingaway.Nowadays,peoplewidelyuseittoexpressthatsomeonewhowantstotakeholdofsomethingwithallhiseffortbutfailstogetitwilllowerthevalueofthisthing.
Therearealsootherproverbs,suchas:Abarleycornisbetterthanadiamondtoacock.11Theallusion’smainideais:whenahungrycockwassearchedforfood,hesawadiamond.Thecocksaidtothediamond:“Tosomeonewhoadmiresyou,youareapreciousthing;buttome,youhavenovalueatall,forallvaluablethingcannotmatchwithabarley-corn.”Indeed,accordingtoourcommonsense,adiamondisfarmorevaluablethanabarley-corn.Buttoahungryman,especiallytosomeonewhoneedsgrainsbadly,hewouldchoosegrainsbutnottreasure,fortreasurecannotsatisfyhisstomach.Sothisproverbtendstoimplythatdifferentpeoplehavedifferentviewsnothesamething.Thesubmittingtoonewrongbringsonanother.12Theallusion,whichthisproverbcamefrom,isgenerallylikethis:asnakewasoftenriddendownbypeople,sohecomplainedittoZeus.Zeustoldhimthatifhebitsomeonewhofirstlytrampledonhim,thenextonewouldnottramplehim.Itshowsthatifoneputupwiththemistakehemadeatthefirsttime,hewillmakeanothersimilarmistake.Soweshouldgainalessonfromtheaboveallusionsoastoavoidmakingthesamemistakes.
2.4OriginatingfromGreekandRomanmythology
“WesternersareheirstoGreco-Romancivilization.ManyideasnowprevailinginwesterncountriescanbetracedbacktothethinkersinancientGreeceandRoman.GreekandRomanmythologiesarewellknowninthewestandhavebeardonastronginfluenceuponpeople’slivesinwesterncountries.ItisnaturalthatitbecomesacommonsourceofEnglishproverbs.”13
SomeproverbsarefromGreekandRomanmythology.Eachofthemhasanallusion.Forexample,TheDeviltoohasAchilles’heel.14AccordingtotheHomer,wecanknow:AchilleswasaGreekhero.Excepthisheel,everypartofAchilles’bodyisswordproof,sohisheelishisfataldefect.TheproverbtellsusthateventheDevilhashisweakness.Nomanisabsolutelypowerful.ThereisasimilarexamplefromRomanmythology.NotevenHerculescouldcontendagainsttwo.15Hercules,asonofZeus,wasaheroinRomanmythology.Hehadincredibleforce,whichhelpedhimgaintwelveheroicachievements.Althoughhewaspowerfulenough,hecouldn’tdefeatalargenumberofenemiesonhisown.Sotheproverbstellsusthatman’senergyislimitednomatterhowpowerfulheis.Anotherexample,withoutCeresandBacchus,Venusgrowscold.16CeresisRomangoddessofgrainandagriculture;BacchusistheGreetgodofwine;Venusisthegoddessofbeautyandlove.Fromthis,wecanknowthatCeresandBacchusstandforbasicnecessityoflife.Sotheproverbtendstoexpressthatlovecan’tbesweetwithoutmaterialsupport.
2.5Originatingfromotherlanguages
Withthedevelopmentofsociety,alanguagecannotavoidcontactingwithotherlanguages.Inthecontact,thecertainlanguagesurelyabsorbssomeproverbsfromothers.Withalonghistory,EnglishlanguageborrowedalargenumberofproverbswidelyfrommanyotherlanguagesincludingGreek,Latin,German,Italian,Spanish,Dutch,Hebrew,Arabic,Chinese,andotherlanguages,amongwhichLatin,GreekandFrenchprovidetherichestnutrition.MostoftheborrowedproverbsinEnglish,duetotheremotenessoftime,havealreadyassimilatedormergedintotheEnglishlanguagewiththeirtracesalmostimpossibletofollow.
ManyEnglishproverbsoriginatedfromFrench.17William,DukeofNormandy,France,landedhismightyarmyatPevensyanddefeatedSaxonkingHarold’smennearHastings.WilliamwascrownedaskingofEngland,andthenheopeneddoorstothecontinentandextendedcultureandcommercialrelationswithFrance.Norman-Franceculture,languageandarchitecturewereintroduced.TheconquerorsruledEnglandinalongperiodoftime,andmostofthegovernorsusedFrenchastheirformallanguage.AlthoughEnglandfinallywonhersovereignty,therewerestillmanyborrowedwordsfromFranceremained.Especially,EnglishpeopleacceptedmanyFrenchsayings.Forexample,Don’tputthecartbeforethehorse;Ventureasmallfishtocatchagreatone;Ifthelion’sskincannot,thefox’sshall.
ManyEnglishproverbscamefromLatin.18BecauseoftheintroductionofChristianityintoBritain,theinfluenceoftheNormanConquestandtheRenaissanceonEnglish,LatinwordshadmadetheirwayintotheEnglishlanguage.AmongtheseLatinwordstherealsoincludedmanyproverbs,whichgainedwideacceptanceofEnglishpeople.Suchas:Fortunefavorsthebrave;Hewhosayswhathelikes,shallhearwhathedoesnotlike;IfeartheGreeks,evenwhenbringinggifts;Thereisnorulewithoutanexceptionandsoon.
2.6Originatingfromfamouswriters’wisdom
FamouswritersprovidedoneoftherichestsourcesforEnglishproverbs,whichisonlynexttotheproverbsoffolkorigin.Wealsocansaythatmostproverbs,regardlessoftheirinitial,havebeenpolishedandpreservedandpopularizedbyfamouswritersintheirworks.ItisgenerallyagreedthatsuchfamouswritersasBacon,Pope,Franklinandsooncontributedquitealottothecreation,preservationandpopularizationofEnglishproverbs.
BaconisadistinguishedEnglishphilosopherandwriter.Heisnotedforastyleofthoroughexpositionandalternativemaxims.ManysentencesinBacon’sworkshavebecomegoldensayingandprevailedamongpeople.Forexample,Readingmakesafullmantellspeoplethatonlybyreadingcanapersonbecomelearnedandprofound.AnotherproverbKnowledgeispoweremphasizestheimportanceofknowledgeandencouragespeopletostudymoreandlearnmore.
PopeisanothercelebratedfigureinEnglishliterature.Heemphasizeseducationandknowledgeverymuch.Somesentencesfromhisworkshavebeenacceptedbythereadersandbecomedeeplyrootedamongpeople.TakeAlittlelearningisadangerousthingforexample.ThisdidacticproverbisasentenceinPopeAnEssayonCriticismanditreflectshisideasaboutknowledgeandlearning.
BenjaminFranklinisafamousAmericanstatesman,scientistandwriter.Manysayingsfromhisworkswerewidelyacceptedandenlightenpeople.Forexample,Littlestrokefellgreatoaks.19Ittellsusthatonenevergivinguppursuingknowledge,becauseonlythosewhoarestrong-mindedcanbehighlyintellectual.Anotherexample,Godhelpthemthathelpthemselves.20Ittendstotellusthatsolongasonevaluesself-relianceandindependence,hecancreateopportunities,seekcompetitionandbereadyfortherisks.
3.ThefunctionofEnglishproverbs
ThefunctionsofEnglishproverbsarethattheyexpresssomerulesofconductandquiteoftenconveysomeadviceorcounsel.Inotherwords,mostEnglishproverbspossessphilosophicdepthorinstructivefunction.ForthousandsofyearstheyhavebeeninstructingandinspiringEnglishpeople,sotheyhavebeenregardedastheguidelineofpeople’sthoughtsanddeeds,whichmeansEnglishpeoplearethinkingordoingthingsbyfollowingthedirectionoftheirproverbseitherconsciouslyorunconsciously.Englishproverbshavebecomeanimportantsourcesofinspirationjustbecausetheycontaintruth,wisdom,counsel,ruleofconduct,etc.FollowingwillmentiontwofunctionsofEnglishproverbs.
3.1Thefunctiontoadvise
Someproverbsareintendedtopersuadeandteachpeople.Topersuadeistopraisejustice,tofightagainstthebully.Toteachistoguidepeopletoadoptacorrectattitudetowardslife,totakeaproperwaytogetalongwellwithothers.Forexample,Betterdiewithhonorthanlivewithshame;Don’thavecloaktomakewhenitbeginstorain.Suchproverbssoundveryfirmandresoluteandtheycanstrengthenpeopleconvictionandawakenpeopleconsciousnessoflifeorbettertheirthinkingmethods.Theyareveryhelpfulforpeopletomakedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong,tobeclearaboutwhattoloveandwhattohate.Becausetheyaregoodforpeople’sself-cultivationandtheycancallfordeepthought,manypeopletaketheseproverbsastheirlifemotto.
Someotherproverbsrevealandcriticizethedarksideoftheagesorsociety.Theyattackthedirtypracticesofthesocietysoastoremindpeopletokeepconsciousandmaintainsharpwarning.Forexample,Thefoxchangeshisskin,butnothishabit;Aleopardcannotchangeitsspots.Peopletendtorecitesuchproverbswhentheyaredisclosingtheevilinthesocietyorwhentheyareremindingotherstokeepalert.
3.2Thefunctiontospreadexperiencesandknowledge
venings.
4.TherhetoricaldevicesofEnglishproverbs
IfwesaythephilosophicorinstructiveaspectofEnglishproverbsisagoodhelptothepeople,thenwecanalsosaythattheartisticoraestheticaspectofEnglishproverbsisaccelerantthatattractspeople’sattentiontomakefulluseofthem.Englishproverbsarealwaysterse,figurativeandwithpleasantsoundeffect,whichmakethemeasytomemorizeandpleasanttoears.FollowingwewilldiscusstherhetoricaldevicesofEnglishproverbs.
4.1Repetition
(1)Soundinbody,soundinmind.
(2)Foolslearnnothingfromwisemen,butwisemenlearnmuchfromfools.
(3)Oneboyisaboy,twoboyshalfaboy,threeboysnoboy.
(4)Awisemanthinksallthathesays;afoolsaysallthathethinks.
Fromtheaboveexamples,wecanfindthattherepeatedwordorideahasareinforcingeffect.Withtherepetitionofthesamewordinclosesuccession,wemaynoticethatthemainpointofthesentencebecomesclear.Itcanalsobeusedtoexpressstrongemotionandgiveusanaestheticfeelingandasenseoflogicalprogressionofideas.21
4.2Phonology
4.2.1Alliteration
(5)Hewhomakesconstantcomplaintsgetslittlecompassion.
(6)Afairfacemayhideafoulheart.
(7)Thefairestflowerssoonestfade.
(8)Timeandtidewaitfornoman.
Fromtheaboveexamples,wecanfindthattheseproverbsarevividwithrhythm.Becauseofrhythm,alliterationisagreathelptomemory.Itcancatchtheattentionofthereadersandmaketheideaimpresseddeeplyonthereaders,sotheproverbsareeasiertoremember.
4.2.2Consonance
(9)Inyouththehoursaregolden,andinmatureyearstheyaresilvern,andinoldagetheyareleaden.
(10)Hopeforthebest,preparefortheworst.
(11)Wherelovefails,weespyallfaults.
Fromtheabove-mentioned,consonancemakestheproverbsmorerhythmicandmoreappealing.Itisalsogoodforsoundrhyme,musicaleffectandsignificantemphasis.
4.2.3Assonance
(12)Wheretheneedlegoes,thethreadfollows.
(13)Whothatinyouth,novirtueuses,inoldallhonorhimrefuses.
(14)Afriendinneedisafriendindeed.
Therepetitionoftheabovevowelproducesmusicalrhythmandsoundeuphony.
4.3Comparison
4.3.1Simile
(15)Marchcomesinlikealionandgoesoutlikealamb.
(16)Truefriendshipislikesoundhealth,thevalueofwhichisseldomknownuntilitbelost.
(17)Alambisasdearasdearastoapoormanasanoxtotherich.
Aswecanseefromtheaboveexamples,simileexplainsabstract,complicatedideasinsimpleandconcreteway.
4.3.2Metaphor
(18)Moneyisagoodservantbutabadmaster.
(19)Knowledgeisatreasurebutpracticeisthekeytoit.
(20)Hopeisthepoorman’sbread.
Aswecanseefromtheaboveexamples,animpliedcomparisonbetweentwodifferentthingsthatshareatleastoneattributeincommon.
4.3.3Metonymy
(21)Alightheartliveslong.
(22)Asoftanswerturnedawaywrath.
(23)Anironhandinavelvetglove.
(24)Aclosemouthcatchesnoflies.
Aswecanseefromtheaboveexamples,unlikesimile,thecomparisoninmetaphorisimplied.Itrequiresgreaterabilityonthepartofthereadertomakeoutthehiddenassociationorinsight,sometaphorisgenerallymorecomplicatedandmoreinvolvedthansimile.Theaboveproverbsenrichandstrengthenthereader’sexistingassociationandbringingaboutgreaterrhetoricaleffectiveness.22
4.4Personification
4.4.1Inanimateobjectspersonalizing
(25)Wallhasears.
(26)Moneymakesthemarego.
(27)Thepotcallsthekettleblack.
4.4.2Animalspersonalizing
(28)Thefoxknewtoomuch,that’showhelosthistail.
(29)Nightingaleswillnotsinginacage.
(30)Thetortoisewinstheracewhilethehareissleeping.
(31)Twosparrowsononeearofcornmakeanillagreement.
4.4.3Plantspersonalizing
(32)Agreattreeattractsthewind.
(33)Asingleflowerdoesnotmakeaspring.
4.4.4Abstractideaspersonalizing
(34)Truthconquersallthings.
(35)Opportunityseldomknockstwice.
(36)Virtuedwellsnotinthetonguebutintheheart.
Intheaboveproverbs,thereareincludingthreepartsofpersonification.Usingpersonificationmakestheproverbsmorevividandmoreattractive.Itcanimpressthereadersdeeply.
4.5Parallel
(37)Inforapenny,inforapound.
(38)Inyouththehoursaregolden,andinmatureyearstheyaresilvern,andinoldagetheyareleaden.
(39)Theleastsaid,thesoonestmended.
Aswecanfromtheabove,parallelstructurecancreateagoodvisualimageandhel
preadersmovequicklyfromoneideatothenext.Parallelismgivesemphasis,charityandcoherenceofideas,anditalsogivestherhythmoftheproverbs.Ithelpsthereaderstocatchtheideaofthespeakersorwritereasilyandpleasantly.23
4.6Synecdoche
(40)Twoheadsarebetterthanone.
(41)Greatmindsthinkalike.
Herethewords“head”and“mind”arebothrepresent“aperson”.
4.7Hyperbole
(42)Athousandyearscannotrepairamoment''''slossofhonor.
(43)Theworldisbutalittleplace,afterall.
(44)Anunfortunatemanwouldedrownedinateacup.
Hyperboleisacommonlyusedasignofgreatemotionasshownintheaboveexamples.Thereisnointenttodeceivethereader,instead,inthespeaker’smindheistrulydescribinghisintensefeelingatthetime.
4.8Pun
(45)Measureyourselfbyyourownfoot.
Heretheword“foot”hastwomeanings:onemeanshuman’heel,theotherisdimensionalunit.Sotheaboveproverbhastwodifferentmeanings,whichcreateapun.
(46)Rueandthymegrowbothinonegarden.
Heretheword“rue”hastwodifferentmeanings:oneisthenameofkingofflower,theothermeansregret.Theword“thyme”andtheword“time”havethesamepronunciations.Thesetworeasonsmakeapun.
5.Conclusion
Proverbsaretheoutcomeoflanguage.Theycomefrompeopleandareusedbypeople.“Proverbs,asaprominentscholaroncesaid“themirrorofanation”and“thelivingfossilofalanguage”,doplayanimportantroleindifferentlanguagesandcultures.InthewordsofFrancisBacon,“theGenius,witandspiritofanationarediscoveredinitsproverbs.””24ThereareavarietyofproverbsalmostallEnglishspeakersarefamiliarwith.Theyregardthesewordsofwisdomwithrespect.
Tosumup,themajorsourcesofEnglishproverbsaretheexperienceofthecommonpeople,literaryworks,religiousscripture,mythology,translatedloans,andhistory.SowecangainsomebasicknowledgeofEnglishculturethroughlearningEnglishproverbs,whichplaysanimportantroleincross-culturalcommunication.Becauseofusingrhetoricaldevicesandrhythmicalways,Englishproverbsarefilledwithimageandvividness,whichcancatchtheattentionofthereadersandmaketheideaimpresseddeeplyonthereaders.Theyalsorevealauniversaltruthfromaparticularpointinordertoenlightenpeople.Soproverbsgivepeopleadviceorwarningsindealingwitheverydayissues,andpointoutthepathtoknowledgeandself-cultivation.
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18林承璋.《英语词汇学引论(修订版)》[M].武汉:武汉大学出版社,1997.4.PP36-37
19同注6,P88
20同注1,P100
21张秀国.英语修辞学[M].北京:清华大学出版社;北京交通大学出版社,2005.P127
22同注22,P165
1、Happinessliesfirstofallinhealth.
幸福首先在于健康。
2、Cheerfulnessishealth;itsopposite,melancholy,isdisease.
欢乐就是健康,忧郁就是病痛。
3、Itisnotworkthatkills,butworry.
工作不损寿,忧郁才伤身。
4、AllworkandnoplaymakesJackadullboy.
只工作,不玩耍,聪明小伙也变傻。
5、Peoplewhocannotfindtimeforrecreationareobligedsoonerorlatertofindtimeforillness.
6、Heiswisethatknowswhenheiswellenough.
知足为智者。
7、Hewholiveswithhismemoriesbecomesold.Hewholiveswithplansforthefutureremainsyoung.
终日怀旧催人老,计划未来葆青春。
8、Agoodconscienceisacontinualfeast.
问心无愧天天乐。
9、Anounceofpreventionisworthapoundofcure.
一分预防胜过十分治疗。
10、Dietcuresmorethandoctors.
自己饮食有节,胜过上门求医。
11、Itisnotworkthatkills,butworry.
12、Peoplewhocannotfindtimeforrecreationareobligedsoonerorlatertofindtimeforillness.
13、Heiswisethatknowswhenheiswellenough.
14、Hewholiveswithhismemoriesbecomesold.Hewholiveswithplansforthefutureremainsyoung.
15、Agoodconscienceisacontinualfeast.
16、Anounceofpreventionisworthapoundofcure.
17、Heishappythatthinkshimselfso.
自乐者常乐。
18、Anappleadaykeepsthedoctoraway.
每天一只苹果,无需医生进门。
19、Betterwearoutshoesthansheets.
宁愿把鞋子穿漏,不愿把床单磨破。
20、Healthisnotvaluedtillsicknesscomes.
病时方知健康可贵。
21、Leaveoffwithanappetite.
吃得七分饱,就该离餐桌。
22、Hewhohasgoodhealthisyoung,andheisrichwhoowesnothing.
健康葆青春,无债即富足。
23、Laughandtheworldlaughswithyou,weepandyouweepalone.
欢笑,则世界与你同乐;哭泣,则独自悲伤。
24、Happyishewhoonlydesireswhathemayanddoeswhatheought.
不作非分之想又能尽本分的人是快乐的。
25、Thereisnogreatergriefthantorecallatimeofhappinesswheninmisery.
没有比在悲惨中回忆幸福的时刻更痛苦。----Dante但丁(意大利诗人)
26、Alightheartliveslong.(WilliamShakespeare,Britishdramatist)
豁达者长寿。(英国剧作家莎士比亚。W.)
27、Sloth,likerust,consumesfasterthanlaborwears.(BenjaminFranklin,Americanpresident)
懒惰像生锈一样,比操劳更能消耗身体。(美国总统富兰克林。B.)
28、Thefirstwealthishealth.(RalphWaldoEmerson,Americanthinker)
健康是人生第一财富。(美国思想家爱默生。R.W.)
29、Walkingisman'sbestmedicine.
行走是人的最佳良药。()
Theendjustifiesthemeans.只要目的正当,可以不择手段。
Theendmakesallequal.死亡面前,人人平等。
Theeyeisbiggerthanthebelly.贪多嚼不烂。
Thefarthestwayaboutisthenearestwayhome.抄近路反而绕远路。
Talkofthedevilandhewillappear.说曹操,曹操就到。
TalltreescatchmUChwind.树大招风。
Teachothersbyyourexample.躬亲示范。
Thebestheartsarealwaysthebravest.无私者无畏。
Thebestmanstumbles.伟人也有犯错时。
Thecatshutsitseyeswhenstealing.掩耳盗铃。
ThedangerpastandGodforgotten.过河拆桥。
Thedarkesthourisnearestthedawn.黎明前的黑暗。
Thedarkestplaceisunderthecandlestick.烛台底下最暗。
Thedevilknowsmanythingsbecauseheisold.老马识途。
Thedevilsometimesspeaksthetruth.魔鬼有时也会说真话。
Thedieiscast.木已成舟。
Thefinestdiamondmustbecut.玉不琢,不成器。
Thefireisthetestofgold,adversityofstrongman.烈火验真金,艰难磨意志。
Thefirststepistheonlydifficulty.迈出第一步是最艰难的。
Thefoxknewtoomuch,that”showhelosthistail.机关算尽太聪明,反误了卿卿性命。
Thefoxpreysfarthestfromhome.兔子不吃窝边草。
Thefroginthewellknowsnothingofthegreatocean.坐井观天。
Thegrassisgreenerontheotherside.这山望着那山高。
Thegreatesttalkersarealwaysleastdoers.语言的巨人总是行动的矮子。
Thehigherup,thegreaterthefall.爬得高,摔得惨。
Thetongueisnotsteel,yetitcuts.人言可畏。
Thewaterthatbearstheboatisthesamethatswallowsitup.水能载舟,亦能覆舟。
Thewisemanknowsheknowsnothing,thefoolthinksheknowsall.清者自清,浊者自浊。
Thewolfhasawinninggamewhentheshepherdsquarrel.螳螂捕蝉,黄雀在后。
Theworldisaladderforsometogoupandotherstogodown.世界如阶梯,有人上有人下。
Theworldisbutalittleplace,afterall.海内存知己,天涯若比邻。
Timeflies.光阴似箭。
Timelostcannotbewonagain.时光流逝,不可复得。
Timetriesall.路遥知马力,日久见人心。
Twoheadsarebetterthanone.一个好汉三个帮。
Twoofatradeseldomagree.同行是冤家。
Twowrongsdonotmakearight.别人错了,不等于你对了.
Thinktwicebeforeyoudo.三思而后行。
Thingsattheworstwillmend.否极泰来。
Timeandtidewaitfornoman.时不我待。
Theleopardcannotchangeitsspots.本性难移。
Themorenoble,themorehumble.人越高尚,越谦虚。
Themorewit,thelesscourage.初生牛犊不怕虎。
Theoutsiderseesthemostofthegame.旁观者清。
ThepenismightierthanthesWord.笔能杀人。
Thepotcallsthekettleblack.五十步笑百步。
Therearespotsinthesun.太阳也有黑点。
Therearetwosidestoeveryquestion.问题皆有两面。
Thereisaskeletoninthecupboard.家家有本难念的经。
Thereiskindnesstobefoundeverywhere.人间处处有温情。
Thereisnogeneralrulewithoutsomeexception.任何法规均有例外。
Thereisnomedicineagainstdeath.没有长生不老药。
Thereisnoplacelikehome.金窝银窝不如咱的狗窝。
Thereisnoroyalroadtolearning.书山有路勤为径,学海无涯苦作舟。
Thestyleistheman.字如其人。
Toomuchpraiseisaburden.过多夸奖,反成负担。
Touchpitch,andyouwillbedefiled.常在河边走,哪有不湿鞋。
Troublesnevercomesingly.福无双至,祸不单行。
Titfortatisfairplay.人不犯我,我不犯人;人若犯我,我必犯人。
Toerrishuman.人非圣贤,孰能无过。
Toknoweverythingistoknownothing.什么都知道,一如什么都不知道。
Toknowoneselfistrueprogress.人贵有自知之明。
Tomorrownevercomes.我生待明日,万事成蹉跎。
Toomuchfamiliaritybreedscontempt.过分熟悉会使人互不服气。
Toomuchknowledgemakestheheadbald.学问太多催人老。
Toomuchlibertyspillsall.自由放任,一事无成。
Truthnevergrowsold.真理永存。
Turnoveranewleaf.洗心革面,改过自新。
Twodogsstriveforabone,andathirdrunsawaywithit.鹬蚌相争,渔翁得利。
2.Initiativeisdoingtherightthingwithoutbeingtold.主动性就是在没有人告诉时做正确的事情.
3.Thinktwicebeforeacting.三思而后行.
4.Adversityrevealsgenius,fortuneconcealsit.苦难显才华,好运藏天知.
5.Thewaterthatbearstheboatisthesamethatswallowsitup.水能载舟,亦能覆舟.
6.Betterbetheheadofadogthanthetailofalion.宁为鸡头,不为凤尾.
7.Astitchintimesavesnine.防微杜渐.
8.Diamondcutsdiamond.强中更有强中手.
9.Theearlybirdcatchestheworm.捷足先登.
10.Whateveryougo,gowithallyourheart.无论做什么事,一定要全力以赴.
11.Thegoodseamanisknowninbadweather.惊涛骇浪,方显英雄本色.
12.Wherethereislife,thereishope.留得青山在,不怕没柴少.
13.Allthingaredifficultbeforetheyareeasy.万事开头难.
14.Lifeisnotallroses.人生并不都是康庄大道.
15.Heavenneversealsoffalltheexits.天无绝人之路.
16.Isitnotajoytohavefriendscomefromafar有朋自远方来不亦乐乎
17.Readingisalwaysprofitable.开卷有益.
18.Agentlemanactsonbehalfofanunderstandingfriend,asawomanmakesherselfbeautifulforherlover.士为知己者用,女为说悦己者容.
1、Abigblackbugbitabigblackbear,madethebigblackbearbleedblood.
大黑虫咬大黑熊,大黑熊流血了!
2、Abigblackbugbitabigblackbear.Where'sthebigblackbearthebigblackbugbit
大黑虫咬大黑熊,被大黑虫咬的大黑熊在那里呢?
3、Abitterbitingbitternbitabetterbrotherbittern,andthebitterbetterbitternbitthebitterbiterback.Andthebitterbittern,bitten,bythebetterbittenbittern,said:"I'mabitterbiterbit,alack!"
一只沮丧而尖刻的麻鳽咬了牠兄弟一口,而没有牠那么沮丧的兄弟又咬牠一口。那只被咬的沮丧麻鳽对牠的兄弟说:「我是一只充满怨恨的麻鳽!我害人终害己了!
4、Abloke'sbackbikebrakeblockbroke.
一个家伙的脚踏车后制动器坏了。
5、Aboxofbiscuits,abatchofmixedbiscuits.
一盒饼干,一炉杂饼干。
6、Afleaandaflyflewupinaflue.Saidtheflea,"Letusfly!"Saidthefly,"Letusflee!"Sotheyflewthroughaflawintheflue.
一只跳蚤和一只苍蝇飞进烟道里。跳蚤说:「让我们飞吧!苍蝇说:「让我们逃跑吧!就这样,牠们就飞越了烟道里的一条裂纹。
7、Alaurel-crownedclown!
戴桂冠的小丑。
8、Alustyladylovedalawyerandlongedtolurehimfromhislaboratory.
一个精力充沛的女士爱上了一位律师,她渴望诱惑律师离开实验室,投入她的怀抱。
9、Anoisynoiseannoysanoyster.
嘈吵的噪音惹恼牡蛎。
10、Apleasantplacetoplaceaplaiceisaplacewhereaplaiceispleasedtobeplaced.
放置鲽最好的地方是鲽愿意被放置的地方。
11、Askunksatonastump.Theskunkthoughtthestumpstunk,andthestumpthoughttheskunkstunk.
一只臭鼬坐在树墩上,臭鼬认为树墩发臭,而树墩又认为臭鼬发臭。
12、Atidytigertiedatietightertotidyhertinytail.
一只老虎将领带系紧,清洁牠的尾巴。
13、Atreetoadlovedashe-toadwholivedupinatree.Hewasatwo-toedtreetoadbutathree-toedtoadwasshe.Thetwo-toedtreetoadtriedtowinthethree-toedshe-toad'sheart,forthetwo-toedtreetoadlovedthegroundthatthethree-toedtreetoadtrod.Butthetwo-toedtreetoadtriedinvain.Hecouldn'tpleaseherwhim.Fromhertreetoadbowerwithherthree-toedpowertheshe-toadvetoedhim.
一只树蟾蜍爱上另一只住在树上的蟾蜍女郎…是一只二趾的蟾蜍,而蟾蜍女郎是三趾的。那只二趾的树蟾蜍尝试夺取三趾蟾蜍女郎的方心,因为二趾蟾蜍喜欢三趾蟾蜍女郎所踩踏的土地。可是,二趾蟾蜍徒劳无功…不能满足三趾蟾蜍女郎的心意。在三趾蟾蜍女郎的卧室,三趾蟾蜍女郎用牠的三趾能力将二趾蟾蜍的念头打消了。
14、Atutorwhotootedaflutetriedtotutortwotooterstotoot.Saidthetwototheirtutor,"Isithardertotootortotutortwotooterstotoot"
一个吹笛的导师尝试教两个吹笛者吹笛。那两个学吹笛的问导师:吹笛难,还是教两个学吹笛的人吹笛难呢?
15、AllIwantisapropercupofcoffeemadeinapropercoppercoffeepot,youcanbelieveitornot,butIjustwantacupofcoffeeinapropercoffeepot.Tincoffeepotsorironcoffeepotsareofnousetome.IfIcan'thaveapropercupofcoffeeinapropercoppercoffeepot,I'llhaveacupoftea!
我只想要一杯用真正铜制的咖啡壶煮的正统咖啡。信不信由你,我只想要一杯用真正铜制的咖啡壶煮的正统咖啡。锡制的咖啡壶和铁制的咖啡壶对我而言也是没用的。假如我不能要一杯用真正铜制的咖啡壶煮的正统咖啡,那我就要一杯茶吧!
16、Amidstthemistsandcoldestfrosts,withstoutestwristsandloudestboasts,hethrustshisfistagainstthepostsandstillinsistsheseestheghosts.
在满布薄雾,严寒期最冻的那天,他用最结实的手腕和最自夸的话用拳头猛力推打柱子,而且声称他见鬼。
关键词:英语谚语;直译;意译;套译
1引言
谚语是对各种生活现象进行综合概括并在群众中广泛流传运用的语言,它同文学作品一样,是语言的精华。它以最简短的形式表示最丰富的内容,语言生动活泼,富有生活气息。不少谚语以形象的比喻阐述事物的发展规律,具有很深的哲理。谚语鲜明的民族特性,一定程度上反映了本民族的文化特点。
英语谚语不仅语句、结构严谨而且隐含着深层的民族文化含义。因此,英语谚语的汉译是将源语文化信息转换成译语文化信息并求得二者相似,也就是说,“英谚汉译已经不仅仅是一种简单的文本间语言层面的语符转换,或是一种机械的复制活动,而是以文化篇章为翻译单位的文化交流行为。”(王宁,2004:110)
2英汉谚语的翻译
谚语在形式上是语义相对完整的固定句子。使用时可作为句子成分,也可作为独立的交际单位,表达完整的意思。“翻译英语谚语时,仅仅以语言之间词汇的同义性(等价性)为前提,寻求对等的表现是不够的。译者须巧夺运用汉语的表现手法,力求能再现英语谚语的语言风格和丰富内涵。”(张培基,1983:157)只有多注意英语谚语字面以外所特有的语言内涵色彩,才能使译文讽喻得当,宜于说理,又不失原来谚语所具有的语言形象。以下从四个方面探求英谚翻译的方法。
21直译法
如果所要翻译的谚语喻义清晰,形象逼真,按其字面直译其意,就能表达出原文的喻义来,则可直译。这样做既能叫完整地保存原文的表达方式,且又可丰富我们自己的语言文化,一举两得。如:
(1)Acathasninelives猫有九条命。
(2)Agoodtreeisagoodshelter大树底下好乘凉。
(3)Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves自助者天助之。
(4)Romeisnotbuiltinaday罗马不是一日建成的。
通过直译法而传神翻译的谚语,往往成了英谚作为思想财富进入汉语,并成为汉语借用的基础。
22意译法
有些英语谚语虽然在语言习惯和文化背景方面和其相对的汉语之间存在着某些差异,而且所比喻的事物并不一样,但他们的含义却相互吻合,而且表达方式也很相似,汉译这些英语谚语时采取意译的方法,能够再现原文所具有的语言效果,帮助读者更好地理解原文。“可以避免在某些情况下因直译而引起的拖泥带水,隔靴搔痒,甚至以辞害意,造成误解等等弊病”(曾自立,1983:74)。如:
Don’tputthecartbeforethehorse
cart是“大车,手推车”的意思。在西方国家,马曾经是主要的劳动工具,经常用马拉车驮运货物。将车套在马前,马又如何工作呢?这句话可翻译成“勿本末倒置”。
23直译、意译相结合
有些英语谚语虽然在语言习惯和文化背景方面和其相对的汉语谚语之间存在着某些差异,而且所比喻的事物并不一样,但他们的喻义却相互吻合,而且表达方式也很相似,汉译这些英语谚语时,常常需要“易其形式,存其精神”,即采用直译意译结合的方法。这样同时“弥补了直译难达意、意译难传神的不足,在直译后加上谚语的真实含义,以期达到画龙点睛的效果”(刘季春,1996:203)。如:
(1)Firstcatchyourhare先抓到兔子再说,到手的东西才算数。
(2)Cutyourcoataccordingtoyourcloth量布裁衣,量入为出。
(3)Donotkickagainstthepricks莫踢刺棍,莫作无谓的抵抗。
24套译法
有些英语谚语意在言外,语言含蓄,寓意深刻。如果仅从字面意义直译成汉语,而不领会原文的具体含义及其效果,译文势必平淡无味。这样既不能表达意思,又有损于原文的语言形象和丰富内涵。因此应采用套译,“可使译文更加通顺,另一方面更容易为译文读者理解和接受。”(冯庆华,1995:144)如:
(1)Peoplewholiveinglasshousesshouldnotthrowstones
如译成“住在玻璃房子里的人,不应仍石头”,不如译成“己有过,勿正人”或“责人必先责己”。
可以发现,这种套用均属于意译的范畴。因为尽管英汉谚语所表达的意义相同,但双方所使用的形象比喻或修辞色彩等都不相同。因此切忌滥用这种意译式的套用,否则就达不到“洋为中用”的目的,并且还会失去原文的形象比喻和修辞色彩。
另外,套用还有直译式的套用。例如:Strikewhiletheironishot(趁热打铁。)Betteragloriousdeaththanashamefullife(与其忍辱偷生,不如光荣而死。)但套用时应注意不要用汉语中具有鲜明民族、地方色彩的习语硬套英语的习语,以免把汉语的民族或地方色彩强加到译文中去,以致和原作的上下文形成矛盾。如:Twoheadsarebetterthanone(一个不及两人智。)就不应套用“三个臭皮匠,胜过诸葛亮”,Anewbroomsweepsclean(扫帚新,扫得净。)不应套译为“新官上任三把火”。
前文讲述了英谚汉译的四种主要方法。但针对某个具体的英谚,究竟应采用哪种方法呢?这不难回答,直译法是英谚汉译的基本方法,译者最先考虑的应是采用该方法。如果直译不易表达原文的含义,或不易被理解,则应考虑用意译或直译兼意译法。至于那些在中英文化涵义及表达方式上都有着许多共同点的英谚,则适用套用法。如:Giveapersonadoseofhisownmedicine(以其人之道还治其人之身。)
3英谚汉译应注意的问题
在翻译英语谚语前,必须充分了解英国的文化背景和风俗习惯,翻译成既要完全表达出原文的含义,又要符合汉语表达习惯的句子,切忌断章取义。例如“Killthegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs”直译为“杀掉会生金蛋的鹅”,但汉语中不说“杀鹅取卵”,喻体不同,因此汉译时须遵循汉语成语的搭配规律。
另外,谚语的翻译要注意语言的艺术性。有些英语谚语常常采用对称的修辞手段,这样能够加强语势,宜于说理。如:“Anidleyouth,aneedyage”译为“少壮不努力,老大徒伤悲。”
4结语
综上所述,我们可以看出,谚语是大众智慧的结晶,是经过生活长期积淀和陶冶,才把丰富多彩的内容浓缩在高度洗练的形式之中。在学习使用英语谚语的过程中,可以管窥异国的历史、文化和风情,从而丰富知识,扩大视野。在翻译英语谚语时,译文首先要做到忠实准确地表达原文的意义,保持原文的风格,反映原文的面貌;可区分不同情况,分别采用直译,意译,直、意结合和套译等方法,使译文“善解人意”,自然传神。
参考文献
[2]刘季春实用翻译教程[M]中山大学出版社,1996
[3]冯庆华实用翻译教程[M]上海:上海外语出版社,1995
[4]世界名言、名谚大全[M]红旗出版社,1983
[5]王宁再论翻译学忠的学科丁伟和文化特征[J]中国翻译,2004
Twopeopleareofthesamemindtheirsharpnesscancutthroughmetal.
二人同心其利断金。
Solidaritymeansstrength.
团结就是力量。
Ricetypemeterstomore,morepeopletospeakout.
稻多打出米来,人多讲出理来。
Wheneverybodyaddsfuel,theflamesrisehigh.
众人拾柴火焰高。
Muchmorethanabellsound,muchmorethanacandlelight.
多一个铃铛多一声响,多一枝蜡烛多一分光。
Donotdropsea,makesdifficulttogarland.
滴水不成海,独木难成林。
Thecollectiveisthesourceofpower,allisthecradleofwisdom.Peopletogetherwhoisstrong.
集体是力量的源泉,众人是智慧的摇篮。
Withalltheforce,isunmatchedintheworld;Withallthewisdom,thefearlessinsage.
能用众力,则无敌于天下矣;能用众智,则无畏于圣人矣。
Astakewiththreefence,agoodbravefellowthreehelp.
一个篱笆三个桩,一个好汉三个帮。
Oneboyisaboy;twoboyshalfboy;threeboysnoboy.
三个和尚没水吃。
Twoheadsarebetterthanone.
三个臭皮匠,顶个诸葛亮。
鱼不能离水,雁不能离群。
PeoplewithonemindwillremoveMountTai.
人心齐,泰山移
Unionisstrength.
Forbetterorforworse.
同甘共苦。
2、Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.天助自助者。
3、Easiersaidthandone.说起来容易做起来难。
4、Wherethereisawill,thereisaway.有志者事竟成。
5、Onefalsestepwillmakeagreatdifference.失之毫厘,谬之千里。
6、Slowandsteadywinstherace.稳扎稳打无往而不胜。
7、Afallintothepit,againinyourwit.吃一堑,长一智。
8、Experienceisthemotherofwisdom.实践出真知。
Maidensshould(ormust)bemildandmeek,swifttohearandslowtospeak.少女应温良谦恭,敏于听而慎于言。
Makeallyoucan,saveallyoucan,giveallyoucan.尽力而为,尽力节约,尽力施舍。
Makehasteslowly.从容赶急。
Makehaywhilethesunshines.趁热打铁。
Makethebestofabadbusiness(orjoborbargain)身处山穷水尽,力争柳暗花明。
Makethenightnight,andthedayday,andyouwillhaveapleasanttimeofit.白天当白天,夜晚当夜晚,生活过得好,愉快而多欢。
Makeyourenemyyourfriend.要化敌为友。
Makeyourselfnecessarytosomeone.使你有益于人。
Manaloneisborncrying,livescomplaining,anddiesdisappointed.只有人,生下时啼哭,活著时抱怨,去世时失望。
Manhasnotagreaterenemythanhimself.人之大敌,自己而已。
Manisatool-usinganimal.人是用器之兽。
Manismortal.人生谁无死。
Manisnotthecreatureofcircumstances;circumstancesarethecreatureofman.并非时势造人,而是人造时势。
Manistheartificerofhisownhappiness.人之幸福,自己创造。
Mannersmaketheman.礼貌造就人。
Manproposes,Goddisposes.谋事在天,成事在人。
Manwillconquernature.人定胜天。
Manyafinedishhasnothingonit.虚有其表。
Manyaflowerisborntoblushunseen.有许多花儿生来就开著没有人欣赏。
Manyagoodcowhathabadcalf.虎父生犬子。
Manyagoodfatherhathbutabadson.好父亲偏生不肖子。
Manyalittle(orpickle)makesamickle.积少成多。
Manyantskillthehorse.蚁多可杀马。
Manyatruewordisspokeninjest.戏言寓真理。
Manydishes,manydiseases.多吃多病。
Manydropsmakesashower.积少成多。
Manygreatmenhavearisenfromhumblebeginnings.有许多伟人出身卑微。
Manyhandsarebetterthanone.众擎易举。
Manyhandsmakeaburdenlighter.众擎易举。
Manyhandsmakelight(orquick)work.人多活儿轻。
Manyhavesufferedfortalking,noneeversufferedforkeepingsilence.多言吃苦,缄默少祸。
Manyheadsarebetterthanone.集思广益。
Manymen,manyminds.人多意见多。
Manyonesayswellthatthinksill.口蜜腹剑者不乏其人。
Manyreceiveadviceonlythewiseprofitbyit.聆忠言者众,智者独获益。
Manysandswillsinkaship.积沙沈船。
Manystrawsmaybindanelephant.草多可缚象。
Manywells,manybuckets.井多吊桶也多。
Manywordscut(orhurt)morethanswords.恶语伤人胜刀见。
Marchcomesinlikealionandgoesoutlikealamb.三月来如雄狮,去如绵羊。
1、astrongmanwillstrugglewiththestormsoffate.
强者能同命运的风暴抗争。
2、ceasetostruggleandyouceasetolive.
生命不止,奋斗不息。
3、nothingseeks,nothingfinds.
无所求则无所获。
4、isucceededbecauseiwilledit;ineverhesitated.
我成功是因为我有决心,从不踌躇。
5、ifyoushouldputevenalittleonalittle,andshoulddothisoften,soonthistoowouldbecomebig.
伟大的事业是通过不懈努力,一砖一瓦堆起来的。
6、forallpainhelpstomakeusrise,howevermuchwemayhateitatthetime.
一切痛苦都有助于我们奋发向上,不论我们当时是多么憎恨它。
7、it'sbettertohavefoughtandlost,thannevertohavefoughtatall.
奋战过而失败,强于根本未战。
8、nothingintheworldisdifficultforonewhosetshismindonit.
世上无难事,只怕有心人。
9、amancansucceedatalmostanythingforwhichhewasunlimitedenthusiasm.
只要有无限的热情,一个人几乎可以在任何事情上取得成功。
10、allthatyoudo,dowithyourmight;thingsdonebyhalvesareneverdoneright.
做一切事情都应尽力而为,不可半途而废。
11、prosperityisnotwithoutmanyfearsanddisasters;adversityisnotwithoutcomfortsandhopes.
幸运中并非不掺杂各种担心与烦恼,而厄运中也并非不存在欣慰与期望。
12、godsdeterminewhatyou'regoingtobe.
人生的奋斗目标决定你将成为怎样的人。
13、onlife'searnestbattletheyonlyprevail,whodailymarchonwardandneversayfail.
生活在顽强战斗中,只有每天不屈不挠奋勇向前的人才能取得胜利。
14、meetsuccesslikeagentlemananddisasterlikeaman.
优雅地迎接成功,勇敢地面对挫折。
15、energyandpersistenceconquerallthings.
能量加毅力可以征服一切。
16、noroadofflowersleadstoglory.
没有一条通往光荣的道路是铺满鲜花的。
17、ourdestinyoffersnotthecupofdespair,butthechaliceofopportunity.
命运给予我们的不是失望之酒,而是机会之杯。
18、manerrssolongashestrives.
人只要奋斗就会犯错误。
19、onlythosewhohavethepatiencetodosimplethingsperfectlyeveracquiretheskilltododifficultthingseasily.
只有有耐心圆满完成简单工作的人,才能够轻而易举地完成困难的事。
20、fortuneshowsherpowerwhenthereisnowisepreparationforresistingher.
没有向命运抗争的明智准备,命运便会显示其威力。
21、greatworksareperformednotbystrengthbutbyperseverance.
大业成于百折不挠,不论力量大小。
22、geniusonlymeanshard-workingallone'slife.
天才只意味着终身不懈的努力。
23、pursueyourobject,beitwhatitwill,steadilyandindefatigably.
不管追求什么目标,都应坚持不懈。
24、amancanfailmanytimes,butheisn'tafailureuntilhebeginstoblamesomebodyelse.
一个人可以失败很多次,但是只要他没有开始责怪旁人,他还不是一个失败者。
25、noneisoffreedomoroflifedeservingunlesshedailyconquersitanew.
只有每天再度战胜生活并夺取自由的人,才配享受生活的自由。