Application of Explanational Translation Approach to English Idioms

Abstract

Idioms, the crystallization of language, are always rich in cultural connotation and national flavor. Translating idioms is quite a difficult task because only a few English idioms have equivalents in Chinese idioms due to linguistic, especially cultural differences. Explanational translation, literal translation, free translation, compensatory translation, borrowing, integrated approach, are six translation tactics in translating English idioms into Chinese. This paper aims to propose the explanational translation approach, one of important and indispensable tactics to Chinese translation of English idioms based on Eugene A. Nida’s view on translation and culture. In order to keep the flavor of the original English idioms as well as to cater for the Chinese readers, each tactics should be reasonably employed in the process of translating. It is worth discussing on the application of explanational translation approach to English idioms so as to better use explanational translation tactic in translation, hoping to cast some enlightenment on further research in this field.