|
Cultural Similarities and Differences Between English Idioms
and Chinese Ones
Maili Lei* Shaanxi Institute of Education
Abstract: Idioms, the cream of a language, are rich in cultural connotation. Both English idioms and Chinese
idioms represent the unique culture of the two languages. There are similarities in basic moral and value principles
as well as differences in cultural origin and national character between them. The similarities and the differences
have not only revealed the unique cultural features of English and Chinese but also formed the possibility and
necessity of intercultural communication.
Key words: idioms culture intercultural communication
1. Introduction
Idioms are one of the important language elements. They are formed through long-time practice. They are not
only the core and cream of a language but also an indivisible part of it. They usually have their unique national
and local cultural connotations which bear a deep national and local imprint that is unsubstituted for. But since the
main development stages of most nations are similar and the benevolence character of human is universal, various
cultures are showing a shocking similarity in understanding the world as well as human in basic moral and value
principles. Idioms, which best represent such cultural differences and similarities, have the charm of differences
and similarities stand shoulder to shoulder as well as conflicts and harmony go side by side.
Chinese linguists have paid great attention to idioms study and achieved great achievements. Nevertheless,
most achievements concentrate on cultural difference of idioms in the two languages or C-E/E-C idioms
translation. There are not many achievements as a result of paying enough attention to the cultural similarities and
the basic purpose of intercultural communication.
2. Analysis
Basing on rich culture, both English idioms and Chinese ones are of ancient origin and long development.
They both have recorded their respective national history, showed their respective national viewpoint and reflected
their respective national culture as well as the formation of thinking. The similarities and the differences are
showed as the following.
2.1 Basic moral concepts and value viewpoint
As human civilization has developed in a similar way, both English and Chinese idioms are similar in this
field, which has formed a common base for both cultures.
2.1.1 Persuading people to be kind
* Maili Lei(1956- ), male, associate professor of Foreign Languages Department, Shaanxi Institute of Education; research field:
English language teaching; address: Foreign Languages Department, Shaanxi Institute of Education, 69#, Xingshansi East Street,
Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, P.R.China, postcode: 710061.
Cultural Similarities and Differences Between English Idioms and Chinese Ones
7
Both English and Chinese idioms have expressed good will and forgiveness of human nature:
Chinese idioms English idioms
己所不欲，勿施于人Do as you would be done
好有好报One good turn deserves another
慈悲心肠Milk of human kindness
既往不咎Let bygones be bygones
The surprising similarity of the above idioms in both culture and language style has showed the universal
kindness and generosity of human beings. Equivalents are required when they are introduced into the target
language to preserve cultural accuracy, classical language style and vivid description.
2.1.2 Encouraging people to be active and venturous
Both English and Chinese are imaginative, hard-working, brave and indomitable. Both march in the front
echelon of all nations through their own effort. Thus, there are many idioms in both languages to praise the
pioneering spirit:
Chinese idioms English idioms
天行健，君子以自强不息God helps those who help themselves
有志者，事竟成Where there is a will, there is a way
不入虎穴，焉得虎子Nothing venture, nothing have
2.1.3 Persuading people to be dogged once determined
Chinese idioms English idioms
不成功，便成仁Do or die
一不做，二不休Over shoes over boots
有始有终From beginning to end
The above similarities are essential to the intercultural communication. Different cultures may conflict in
many aspects, but must agree on basic morals and value points. Only by agreeing on basic morals and value points,
can cultural conflicts be limited in a tolerable level and intercultural communication carried out.
2.2 Cultural origin
As the cultural origin of English is different from that of Chinese, idioms in this field show respective rich
and colorful charms. Each language has its unique idioms which hardly have equivalents in the other. For example,
such English idioms as “Achille’s heel”, “Pandora’s box”, “The apple of discord”, “bow down in the House of
Rimmon”, “the kiss of Judas”, “Noah’s Ark”, “meet one’s Waterloo”, “cut the Gordian knot”, with their unique
ancient Greek and Christian culture, can only be fully appreciated in their own direct translations. Any attempt of
putting them in Chinese equivalents would end up with the loss of certain information. In the same way, such
Chinese idioms as “班门弄斧”, “卧薪尝胆”, “四面楚歌”, “鹬蚌相争, 渔翁得利”, “黔驴技穷”, “女娲补天”,
“嫦娥奔月” and “精卫填海”, with their rhythmic tune, graceful style, rich Chinese cultural and historic origins,
also will lose some information when they are translated into English: “teach one’s grandmother to suck eggs”, “in
determination for revenge”, “be cornered”, “It’s the third party that benefits from the tussle”, “at one’s wit’s end”,
“recreate the heaven”, “flying to the Moon”, and “a dogged determination”.
2.3 National characteristics
Great differences between English and Chinese idioms appear in this field as the result of respective
geographic environment, national experience, cultural inheritance and formation of thinking.
Cultural Similarities and Differences Between English Idioms and Chinese Ones
8
2.3.1 Oceanic culture and continental culture
Many English idioms connect with ocean as the result of the oceanic culture while Chinese ones connect
with land because of the continental culture.
Such differences are mutually beneficial. The idioms of one language can bring an exotic impression into the
other language and enrich it since they can be understood either in their own style or in a tamed style.
Chinese idioms English idioms
牛饮Drink like a fish
碰壁On the rock
挥金如土Spend money like water
是非之地Sea of troubles
树倒猢狲散Rats leave a sinking ship
声东击西Look one way and row another
2.3.2 Commercial economy and agricultural economy
Idioms clearly show the respective traditions of Britain, which traditionally belongs to commercial and
marine economy, while China, belongs to agricultural economy:
Chinese idioms English idioms
种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind
入不敷出Go bankrupt
未雨綢繆Put money aside for a rainy day
捡了芝麻，漏了西瓜Penny wise and pound foolish.
Some cultural barriers may appear when these idioms are introduced directly into the other language. Direct
and taming translations are both necessary to satisfy different readers. Direct translations can give intellectuals a
chance to appreciate exotic expressions and taming translation introduces non-intellectuals to another culture.
2.3.3 Beliefs
Influenced by Christian culture, God appears in many English idioms while many Chinese idioms connect
with heaven and earth because of the polytheistic culture.
Taming translations for these sorts of idioms are necessary. Religious impact on an Englishman is certainly
greater than that on a Chinese. There is little difference for a Chinese to accept either God or Buddha (although
Buddha is more acceptable). But it’s hard for a Christian to do the same.
Chinese idioms English idioms
老天保佑God bless
天網恢恢，疏而不漏God’s mill grinds slow but sure
天命God’s will
天地万物Works of God
謀事在人，成事在天Man proposes and God disposes
2.3.4 Expression style
English idioms, with their directness and pragmatism, reflect one aspect of the Greek culture while Chinese
idioms, with their implication and moral, reflect the core of Confucianism and Taoism:
Cultural Similarities and Differences Between English Idioms and Chinese Ones
9
Chinese idioms English idioms
投桃报李Scratch Someone’s Back
赔了夫人又折兵Throw good money after bad
天道酬勤The early bird catches the worm
一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴Time is money
缘木求鱼Milk the bull
玉不琢不成器Spare the rod and spoil the child
敬而远之Let sleeping dogs lie
Like the ones in 2.3.1, these idioms are also mutually beneficial. They can either be translated in their own
style or in a tamed style. With the development of intercultural communication, culture barriers become weaker
and direct translations are more common in these days.
3. Conclusion
Our colorful world is composed of various cultures which coexist on the shared cultural base of toleration,
honesty, generosity and self principle. The base makes intercultural communication possible while the cultural
variety makes intercultural communication necessary. Only by accepting the common base and acknowledging the
variety can we enjoy the charm of intercultural communication.
The cultural similarities and differences between English idioms and Chinese ones have revealed the basic
principles of intercultural communication. First, in intercultural communication, no modern language is better
than the other just as no civilized culture is better than the other. Thus both target language and mother language
should be respected equally. Second, the highest aim of language translation is to combine culture accuracy with
language vividness. When this can not be reached, cultural accuracy is considered first, language taming is the
second and language grace is the third. Third, intercultural communication is a two-way communication. Thus
culture input and output are equally important. Chinese, whose culture is in a weak position, should pay more
attention to culture output and English should pay more attention to culture input.
References:
1．Procter, Paul. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. Longman Group Limited. 1978.
2．编写委员会. 新英汉词典（增补本）[M]. 上海译文出版社. 1986.
3．词海编辑委员会. 词海（缩印本）[R]. 上海：上海辞书出版社. 1989.
4．从丛. “中国文化失语”：我国英语教学的缺陷[N]. 光明日报. 2000.10.19.
5．杜瑞清. 跨文化交际：探索与实践[M]. 西安. 西安交通大学出版社2005.
6．李学禧. 汉英成语和常用语[M]. 甘肃人民出版社. 1978.
7．余洪红、徐晓梅. 析英汉习语的文化特征[J]. 淮阴工业学院学报. 2005(12).
(Edited by Doris, Nizee and Iris)
|
