翻译研究 | 英语习语主要来源及常用译法

英语习语承载了一个国家的文化,且生动有趣,灵活运用习语可以大大拉近你与外国友人的距离。下面就来学习下英语习语的主要来源及常用译法。

一、英语习语的来源

1.圣经(Bible)

  • the salt of the earth 中坚力量
  • a wolf in sheep’s clothing 披着羊皮的狼
  • separate the sheep from the goats 分辨好坏
  • cast not the first stone 欲责他人,先思己过
  • the leopard cannot change his spots 江山易改本性难移
  • as old as Methuselah 非常古老
  • good samaritan 心地善良乐于助人的人

2.古希腊罗马神话(Greek and Roman Mythology)

  • an apple of discord 争斗之源,祸根
  • the archilles’ heel 致命的弱点
  • a Gordian knot 难题
  • cut the Gordian knot 快刀斩乱麻
  • pandora’s box 潘多拉盒子
  • Greek gift 阴谋害人的礼物
  • the sword of Damocles 达摩克斯之剑

3.莎士比亚戏剧(Shakespeare’s Plays)

  • bay(bark at) the moon 做徒劳无益的事
  • what’s done is done 既往不咎
  • strange bed fellows同床异梦
  • be hoist with one’s own petard 自作自受
  • much ado about nothing无事生非
  • to paint the lily画蛇添足,多此一举
  • love is blind爱情是盲目的
  • a foregone conclusion 预料之中的结果

4.伊索寓言(The Fables of Aesop)

  • a dog in the manger 在其位不谋其政
  • cherish a snake in one’s bosom养虎遗患
  • kill the goose that lays the golden eggs杀鸡取卵
  • cry wolf 发假情报
  • sour grapes酸葡萄
  • blow hot and cold 朝三暮四

二、英语习语的常用译法

1.直译法

  • A cat has nine lives.猫有九命。
  • A barking dog never bites. 吠犬不咬人。
  • A rolling stone gathers no moss.滚石不生苔。
  • Too many cooks spoil the broth. 厨子多了煮坏汤。

2.直译加解释法

  • Bad workmen often blame their tools. 拙匠常怪工具差。(不会撑船怪河弯)
  • He who laughs at crooked men should need walk very straight.
  • 笑别人驼背的人得自己首先把身子挺直。(正人先正己)
  • It’s a long lane that has no turning. 路必有弯。(事必有变,事情总会有转机)

3.意译改造法

  • One swallow does not make a summer. 一燕不成夏。
  • A single flower does not make a spring. 一花不是春(独木不成林)。
  • No smoke without fire. 无风不起浪。
  • Every dog has his day. 凡人皆有得意时。
  • A stitch in time saves nine.亡羊补牢,为时未晚。
  • Many hands make light work. 众人拾柴火焰高。
  • Penny wise, pound foolish. 贪小便宜吃大亏。
  • The pot calls the kettle black. 五十步笑百步。
  • Two dogs strive for a bone, and a third one runs away with it. 鹬蚌相争,渔翁得利。

4.等值互借法

  • Wall have ears. 隔墙有耳。
  • Great minds think alike. 英雄所见略同。
  • Strike while the iron is hot. 趁热打铁。
  • Like father, like son. 有其父,必有其子。
  • Where there is will, there is a way. 有志者事竟成。
  • It is never too old to learn. 活到老,学到老。
  • Let bygones be bygones. 过去的就让它过去吧。