A Comparative Study of English and Chinese Idioms 英语专业毕业论文.doc

A Comparative Study of English and Chinese Idioms 【关键词】定义；相似点；不同点 .Introduction The English language contains many common quotes, saying, aphorisms and other idiomatic expressions of different sorts. In the Chinese language such expressions are referred to as idioms, “ready phrases”. These idioms are often written in classical Chinese grammar and usually consist of four characters. The Chinese language is rich in vocabulary, phases, and idioms. As a form of set phrases, Chinese idioms are in wide use and occupy an important place in the language as a whole. Concise yet meaningful, they give certain specific facts, carry certain moral teachings or suggest certain particular images, thus constituting an only characteristic of the Chinese language. This paper gives a compare between English and Chinese idioms to show difference between each culture. II. The English and Chinese Idioms A. The Definition of Idioms 1. Definition of Idioms What is an idiom? And how do we judge whether an expression is an idiom or not? First let us look at how the term “idiom” is defined by some authorized English dictionaries: It defines an idiom as “ language of a people or country; specific character of this, succession of words whose meaning is not obvious through knowledge of the individual meaning of the constituent words but must be learnt as a whole.” 1. And it defines an idiom as: “ the language or dialect of a people, region, class, etc. the usual way in which the words of a particular language are joined together to express thought, a phrase, construction or expression that is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and either differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together, the style of expression characteristic of an individual, a characteristic style, as in art or music.” 2. From the above dictionaries, , and most suits the purpose of the discussion. The idiom means a kind of set phrases or sentences, which like a stock expression, are often quoted by the common people. In a broad sense, they include idiomatic phrases, proverbial sayings and a number of slang expressions. We can extract two basic criteria by which to judge whether an expression is an idiom or not. 2. Definition of 习语 in Chinese According to the Chinese dictionaries: Modern Chinese Dictionary 3 and A Handbook of Modern Chinese 4 , the definition of 习语 is “经常使用的语言”（ habitually used words）. And according to Modern Chinese Dictionary 成语 is defined as “人们长期以 来使用的，简洁精辟的定型词组或短句，一般由四个字组成。”（well established, concise, fixed phrases or short sentences consisting of four characters）; 俗语 as “通俗 并广泛流行的定型的语句，简练而形象化，大多数是劳动人民创造出来的，反映 人民的生活经验和愿望”（widely spread, concise, vivid and fixed phrases or sentences created by common people reflecting their wishes and experiences）; and 谚语 as “在 群众中间流传的固定语句，用简单通俗的话反映出深刻的道理”（widely-spread, concise, fixed phrases or sentences in which a profound truth is implied.） From the above definitions, 成语（set phrases）, 俗语（common saying）,and 谚语 （proverbs）just like English idioms, are characterized by habitual use, fixed pattern and implied meaning, so Chinese idioms can be roughly divided into: set phrases (成语)， common saying (俗语)，proverbs (谚语)， and two-part allegorical saying (歇后语). B. Characteristics of Idioms 1 The Characteristics of English Idioms The basic characteristics of English idioms are convention, stability, integration and succinctness. Convention expresses that idioms are widely and permanently used in almost every circle in English speaking countries, both colloquial and literary. Stability means that the structure is fixed, that is, none of the constituents of the idiom can be deleted or replaced by any other element; nor can one add another element, or change the word order of the idiom. For instance, the expression have that to have something to do with what is more important or “ other fish profitable”, however, we could not say “have other salmon to fry ” or “ the other fish is to be fried”. The process of substitution is not allowed and passive constructions cannot be formed. Integration indicates the undivided unity in both form and literal meaning. Succinctness shows that idioms are short and meaningful, pithy and expressive. In addition, idioms are in many cases transformationally defective structures. But idioms vary a great deal on how metaphorical and invariable they are. In other words, idiomaticity is a matter of degree or scale. (e.g. the expression to bite the dust can be put into the past tense, as in he bit the dust, but it cannot be expressed in passive voice, we cannot say that “ the dust was bitten ”). 2. Characteristics of Chinese Idioms The characteristics of idioms can be viewed from the perspective of prevalent use in society, historical traits, and cultural traits. Prevalent Use in society Both time and space have to be considered here. With regard to time, the existence of idioms is not limited to a specific era. It has no time domain, usually being handed down from generation to generation. Unlike the dialect, which is spoken in a certain area, idioms are generally dynamic, being widely used and shared by people nationwide. Historical Traits Material Selection Some components are usually based on contemporaneous incidents, such as 负荆请罪：to offer a humble apology 守株待兔：stand by a tree stump waiting for a hare to kill itself by crashing into it Historical Structures Idioms preserve many of the critical usages which belong to classical Chinese, but do not exist in modern Chinese. Above all, the preservation of the classical language is the most prominent phenomenon. This aspect is well shown in its composite lexemes, Mono- morphemes and classical syntax. C. The Classification of Idioms 1. The Classification of English Idioms In English grammar, the idioms are distinguished from the clause; it is composed of a group of two or more associated words, not containing a subject and predicate. The difficulty in using idioms lies first in the difficulty of grasping the elusive and figurative meaning. The structure of English idioms is very complicated, so we cannot make exhaustive analysis and classification. However, it is possible to do a research on their structure and give English idioms reasonable classifications. Generally speaking, there are five methods of classifications, that is, etymological category, morphological category, syntactic category, semantic category and special property category, in which morphological category, syntactic category and semantic category are common methods. 2 The Classification of Chinese Idioms Chinese idioms are different from English idioms. They can be either the counterpart of an English phrase or a short sentence. Fixed Form A Chinese idiom is different from a common saying, proverb, maxim or adage, primarily because of its distinctive fixed form. The fixed form has two aspects. The first one concerns semantics. Its meaning comes from the whole unit no matter what the meanings of the individual constituent may be. For instance, “脍炙人口”：does not signify “ minced meat suits everyone taste ”. But instead means “ as appealing to most people ”. The second aspect concerns the structure. Just as put your eggs into one basket “ risk all your money on one thing ”, the idioms such as high as a kite “ in an excited state ”, and metonymical idioms such as run the Gauntlet “ be attacked or criticized by many people at the same time ” are all classified into this category. Fusional Idioms This kind of idioms is an undivided unity in semantics. We cannot infer its connation from the meaning of words. That is because the words have lost their original meaning in this kind of idioms. Why its meaning has undergone so many changes? The reasons are not traceable any more. Maybe it is because that some historical events have been forgotten, the social practice has changed, the context in which the idiom existed has been omitted, or some old saying is included. According to the historical linguists, we can sometimes find clues to expound and reveal the theoretical basis of these idioms; however, it is not so easy. Fusional idioms exist in almost every language. Generally speaking, the longer the history of this language is, the richer this of idioms is. According to its peculiarity, fusional idioms cannot be literally translated into another language. .The Similarities between English and Chinese Idioms There are various origins of idioms, but the chief sources are speech of the common people, classical works, ancient legends and fables, historical events, and foreign languages. Let us examine these sources in turn: A. Idioms from Speech of the Common People Most idioms come from the colloquial speech of the common people, for through their practical work people have created a great number of idioms. Every idiom is the result of a personal innovation at a particular point in time. These idioms are terse, colloquial, analogous vivid and full of life, and before long they acquire a wide application to situations in everyday life. The most vivid and most useful of these idioms made their way from little by litter, popular speech into the standard language, and finally came to be commonly understood. The personal creation may happen in different, fields, forming different sources of idioms. For example: (1).Home life To bring home to the bacon: to succeed; achieve ones aim, to supply the needs of ones family To keep ones shirt on: keep calm, dont get exited or angry 添油加醋：add color and emphasis to a narration; add highly colored details to a story 茶余饭后：over a cup of tea or after dinner; at ones leisure (2).Farming life To go to seed: to deteriorate in ones habits and appearance, to become shabby To lead someone up the garden path: to deceive, mislead someone 瓜熟蒂落: when a melon is ripe it falls off its stem-things are easily settled once condition are ripe 斩草除根: cut the weeds and dig up the roots-stamp out the source of trouble (3).Nautical and fishing life In the same boat: to suffer the same predicament as somebody else To rise to the bait: to respond to a hint, temptation or provocation in the way hoped for. The reference is to fish which rise to the surface of the water for food 见风使舵: trim ones sails 浑水摸鱼: fish in troubled waters (4).Military life To cross swords with: to fight or quarrel with To fight a losing battle: to engage in a struggle which one cannot hope to win 偃旗息鼓: lower the banners and muffle the drums-cease all activities 一鼓作气: press on to the finish without letup; get something done in one sustained effort (5).Student life A closed book：a subject about which one knows nothing, a mystery To turn over a new leaf: to repent ones way of life and make a fresh start; to reform 名列前茅: be among the best of the successful candidates 品学兼优: be a good student of good character; be a student of good character and fine scholarship (6).Business life To make an honest penny: to make an honest living through hard work Mind your own business: attend to your own affairs and dont concern yourself with mine 三句话不离老本行: can hardly open ones mouth without talking shop talk shop all the time 利欲熏心: be obsessed with the desire for gain; be blinded by greed (7).Sport and hunting To have the ball at ones feet: to have the initiative, to have the opportunity one has been waiting for To kill two birds with one stone: to achieve two results with the same means 棋逢对手：meet ones match in a game of chess-be well-matched in a contest 一箭双雕：hit two hawks with one arrow; kill two birds with one stone (8).Many idioms include parts of the body, animals, and colors. For example: To keep someone at arms length: to keep someone at distance To be tickled pink: to be very much amused, to relish a comical situation 眉飞色舞：with dancing eyebrows and radiant face-enraptured; exultant 万紫千红：a riot blaze of colors B. Idioms from Classical Works Classical works are also one of the main sources from which idioms are derived. For example: To turn the other cheek: to submit to violence, not to resist the blows of ones oppressor. “Resist not evil. Whoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also”. 5 To tilt at windmills: to fight imaginary enemies, hence to squander ones attacked windmills, in the mistaken belief that they were giants who had imprisoned innocent girls ; Catch-22 situation: a dilemma from which it is impossible to escape. 6 In ancient China, there have been lots of classical works and beautiful lines that enjoy great popularity. And they contributed many idioms to us. For example: 举足轻重：means one who holds an important position and whose decision may produce a great influence on the whole situation. It is from The History of the Later Han Dynasty. 7. 司马昭之心路人皆知：a plot or a covetous desire known to all The History of the Three Kingdoms. 8 . 口蜜腹剑:which means a person who is both insidious and deadly Comprehensive Mirror 9 C. Idioms from Fables, Myths, and Legends Many idioms come from fables, myths, or legends, such as: The lions share: much more than ones fair share, almost everything, taken from Aesops Fables To play Cupid: to play the match-maker. Cupid, son of Venus, was the god of love. He is represented in fable as a boy of great beauty, with wings, carrying a bow and arrows Chinese ancient myths and fables are also reflected in the following idioms: 开天辟地：the creation of heaven and earth the beginning of history 自相矛盾：contradict oneself ; be self-contradictory D. Idioms from Historical Events Sometimes an idiom may summarize a historical event. For example: To cross the Rubicon: to do some thing irrevocable. In ancient Rome, generals were guilty of treason if they failed to disband their armies before crossing the Rubicon. Caesar took the decision to cross the Rubicon with his army to seize power To meet ones Waterloo: to suffer a final, decisive defeat. The phrase comes from Napoleons defeat by Wellington and Blucher at the Battle of Waterloo. It is usually applied to an unexpected defeat after a string of successes 项庄舞剑意在沛公：Xiangzhuang performed the sword dance as a cover for his attempt on LiuBangs life-act with a hidden motive 司马昭之心路人皆知：Sima Zhaos ill intent is known to all-the villains design is obvious E. Idioms from Foreign Languages English owes many of its useful idioms to importations from foreign tongues, among which French, Latin and Greek are three main sources. There are borrowed idioms in Chinese too. Through translation we have absorbed a large number of foreign idioms into Chinese: 特洛伊木马 Trojan horse 酸葡萄 sour grapes 诺亚方舟 Noahs ark 象牙之塔 an ivory tower 以眼还眼以牙还牙 An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth The abundance and variety of idioms in English and Chinese may be to a great extent accounted for by the historical development of languages. A study of the sources of idioms will help us to comprehend and remember them, and supply us with knowledge abo