Perspective of Literal Translation and Free Translation from the contrast of English直译与意译.doc

PAGE 1 PAGE 10 Contrast of English Chinese Proverbs--Perspective of Literal and Free Translations By Zhao Yuying (作者:肇玉英) In the work of translation, two usual ways are literal and free translations, which applied to different occasions. Features of them are well revealed in the translation of foreign proverbs. Let’s read two English-Chinese examples by literal translation: A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit. It is translated as “吃一堑，长一智。” 2. Drop by drop the oceans are filled; stone by stones the walls are built. It is translated as “滴水汇大海，垒石筑高墙。” By comparison, we will find the translated and original proverbs seem to be cut from the same cloth. Therefore, we can define the so-called literal translation as the adoption of the original forms, such as the metaphor, figures, local colour and etc. when any mistranslation or discrepancy won’t occur to the understanding of the original language. Another two proverbs: Call a spade a spade. Words are but wind. We, the English learners will be puzzled if we use the method of literal translation, as the translations shall be “称锹为锹”and “言语只不过是阵风”, which sound like some hints. Under this circumstance, to avoid vagueness, it’s better for us to translate them as “直言不讳”and “耳听为虚”，according to their actual meanings. Then, let’s return to the proverbs and we will suddenly see the light. What’s free translation? We can give the following definition: a kind of translation not limited by the original forms and in line with our Chinese characters to convey the meanings. From the above, we can understand that the free translation pass through some way to reach the same goal with the literal translation. Upon outlining literal and free translations, we shall make further analysis of some proverbs to ponder over literal translation and free translation. A near friend is better than a far-dwelling kinsman. Just from the diction, we can take the meaning of the proverb which exactly matche