Unit Five
习语的翻译
所谓习语，即约定俗成的固定词组或固定语句。依照这一内涵宽泛的定义，习语可包括成语（idioms and phrases）、谚语(proverbs and allusions)、俗语（famous and popular sayings）、警言(sparkling sentences), 以及汉语中特有的歇后语（enigmatic folk similes ）等等。英汉两种语言历史悠久，包含着大量的习语，它们或含蓄、幽默、或严肃、典雅，不仅言简意赅，而且形象生动，妙趣横和，给人一种美的享受。
一、英汉习语的文化差异
习语在原语言中是增强表达能力的一种有力手段，往往蕴含着丰富的民族文化特色和文化信息，如果在翻译过程中能尽量把这一特色表现出来，会为文章增色不少。因此，英汉习语互译首先要正确理解其含义，认识其文化特点，注意英汉习语之间的文化异同。
1. 生存环境差异
习语的产生与人们的劳动和生活的环境密切相关。英国是一个岛国，历史上航海业曾一度领先世界，英语中有许多关于船和水的习语，如a ll at sea（不知所措）, to sink or swim（无论成败）, to rest on one’s oars（暂时歇一歇）。而汉民族在亚洲大陆生活繁衍，人们的生活离不开土地，汉语中有相当一部分习语与土地、庄稼有关。比喻花钱浪费，大手大脚，英语是spend money like water, 而汉语是“挥金如土”。
2. 生活习俗差异
中西方生活习俗差异是多方面的，最典型的莫过于在对狗这种动物的态度上。在西方英语国家，狗被认为是人类最忠诚的朋友，英语中有关狗的习语大部分没有贬义，还常以狗的形象来比喻人的行为。如a lucky dog（幸运儿），as sick as a dog（病得很厉害），Every dog has its day.（人人都有得意日）。而汉语中狗是一种卑微的动物，与狗有关的习语大多含有贬义。如狐朋狗友(evil friends) ，狗仗人势(to be a bully under the protection of a powerful person) 。
3. 宗教信仰差异
与宗教信仰有关的习语大量出现在英汉语言中。佛教传入中国有一千多年的历史，人相 信“佛祖”左右着人世间的一切，因此有的习语就借用庙宇、和尚、佛作比喻。如临时抱佛脚(to embrace Buddha’s feet in one’s hour of need) ，做一天和尚撞一天种(to take a passive attitude towards one’s work)。在西方许多国家，人们信奉基督教、天主教，相关的习语如as poor as the church mouse(一贫如洗) ，God never shuts one door but he opens another.(天无绝人之路) 。
4. 历史典故
英汉两种语言中还有大量由历史典故形成的习语，这些习语结构简单，意义深远，往往是不能单从字面意义去理解和翻译的。中国人喜欢引用典故饰润语言，使之丰富多彩，生动形象。汉语中的古代寓言故事、神话传说、文学著作中常有这样的习语。如“夸父逐日”、“暗度陈仓”、“叶公好龙”。西方文化有两大渊源，《圣经》和古希腊罗马神话，其中的许多故事已经演变成英语习语。如Achilles’ heel(唯一致命的弱点), the sword of Damocles（处于非常危险地处境）。
二、习语的翻译方法
翻译习语的标准首先是传达本义，其次是尽量保留文化特色和语言特色。习语的翻译有四种主要方法：直译法；直译解释法；等值借用法；意译法。
此外，在汉语中，人们习惯使用由四个字构成的成语，也喜欢使用成语之外的四字结构, 这充分体现了汉语讲求平衡的特征。 因此，在后面的部分会专门讲解汉语四字格的翻译技巧。
1. 直译法( Literal interpretation)
直译就是在不违背译文语言规范以及不引起错误的联想的条件下, 把习语原文的意思用译入语直截了当地表达出来，对原文的内容不加以增减，也不做任何解释，在译文中保留习语的比喻、形象和民族、地方色彩。
英译汉
to be on thin ice 如履薄冰
a gentleman’s agreement 君子协定
the most-favored-nation clause 最惠国条款
to add fuel to the fire 火上浇油
to go through fire and water 赴汤蹈火
An ill tongue may do much. 恶语最伤人。
Beauty is but skin-deep. 美貌只是一层皮。
Blood is thicker than water. 血浓于水。
Care brings grey hair. 忧多生白发。
Out of sight, out of mind. 眼不见，心不烦。
Heaven helps those who help themselves. 天助自助者。
Every man has his faults. 人非圣贤，孰能无过。
Plan the whole year in the spring. 一年之计在于春。
Better be a bird in the wood than one in the cage. 宁做林中鸟，不做笼中雀。
汉译英
精打细算 careful calculation and strict budgeting
易如反掌 to be as easy as turning over one’s hand
竭泽而渔 to drain a pond to catch all the fish
打草惊蛇 to stir up the grass and alert the snake
人杰地灵 a remarkable place producing outstanding people
如虎添翼 like a tiger who has grown wings
三思而后行 look before you leap
巧孤掌难鸣 You can’t clap with one hand.
时势造英雄 Circumstances create heroes.
初生牛犊不怕虎 New-born calves make little of tiger.
跑得了和尚跑不了庙 The monk may run away, but the temple can’t run with him.
巧妇难为无米之炊Even a clever housewife cannot cook a meal without rice.
路遥知马力，日久见人心A long road tests a horse’s strength and a long task proves a man’s heart. 留得青山在，不愁没柴烧 As long as green hills remain, there’ll never be a shortage of firewood.
2. 直译解释法(Literal interpretation combined with paraphrasing)
为了保留原文的文化色彩, 而直译又不能使读者理解时, 可在直译的基础上增加适当的解释性的词, 对原文涉及文化背景的内容加以解释或意译出来，使译文形象生动, 体现出原文的风格和韵味。这种技巧适用于该习语原文的形象描述或引起的联想在译入语中难以找到对等的表达的情况。
英译汉
Pandora ’s box 潘多拉的盒子 （比喻祸害的根源）
soft soap 软肥皂（奉承，恭维，拍马）
Solomon 所罗门（比喻聪明人或贤人）
the Trojan horse 特洛伊木马（比喻引起内部破坏的因素）
sour grapes 酸葡萄（得不到的东西就说它不好）
stick and carrot 大棒和胡萝卜（软硬兼施）
jam tomorrow 明天有果酱（许诺但不兑现的东西）
to get blood from stone 石中取血（做不可能的事）
storm in a teacup 茶杯里的风暴（小题大做）
doubting Thomas 怀疑的托马斯 (怀疑主义者)
The darkest place is under the candlestick. 烛台之下最黑暗 (上级不察下情)
There is no rose without a thorn. 没有不带刺的玫瑰（世上没有十全的幸福；有乐必有苦）。 Sparrows should not dance with cranes. 麻雀不应跟仙鹤一起跳舞。（喻指人应有自知之明） 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。（己不正不正人）
汉译英
杞人忧天 like the man of Chi who was haunted by the fear that the sky will fall--unnecessary anxiety
盲人骑瞎马a blind man on a blind horse--rushing headlong to disaster
生米煮成熟饭 The rice is already cooked--What is done cannot be undone.
走马观花 look at the flowers while passing them on horseback --glance over things hurriedly 缘木求鱼 climb a tree to catch fish--a fruitless approach
借花献佛 present Buddha with flowers given by another--make a gift of something given by another
东施效颦 Dongshi , an ugly woman , knitting her brows in imitation of the famous beauty Xishi-- only to make herself uglier.
班门弄斧 to show off one’s skill with the axe before Lu Ban-- the master carpenter-- to display one ’s slight skill before an expert
人非草木 A man is not a stalk of grass or a tree--man is sentimental creature.
杀鸡给猴看 to kill the chicken to frighten the monkey--to punish somebody as a warning to others
黄鼠狼给鸡拜年The weasel goes to pay his respects to the hen--not with the best of intentions. 三个臭皮匠赛过诸葛亮 Three cobblers with their wits combined surpass Zhuge Liang, the mastermind--two heads are better than one.
水至清则无鱼 Fish do not come when water is too clear--one should not demand absolute purity. 天涯处处有芳草 There are fragrant flowers in every land--there are able men everywhere.
3. 等值借用法(Borrowing)
两种语言中有些同义习语无论在内容、形式和色彩上都有相符合的地方，它们不但有相同的意思或隐义，而且有相同的或极相似的形象或比喻。翻译时如果遇到这种情况不妨直载了当地互相借用。一方面可以保持原来生动的描述和同等的表达，另一方面更容易被译文读者理解和接受，译文也更加通顺。
英译汉
to catch at shadows 捕风捉影
to fish in the air 水中捞月
to look for a needle in a hay stack 大海捞针
to burn the boat 破釜沉舟
to laugh off one’s head 笑掉大牙
to drown one’s sorrow 借酒浇愁
to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs 杀鸡取卵
to know something like the palm of one’s hand 了如指掌
give one an inch and one will take a mile 得寸进尺
Great minds think alike. 英雄所见略同。
Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion. 宁为鸡头，不为凤尾。
What is said cannot be unsaid.一言既出，驷马难追。
As you sow, so will you reap. 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。
Among the blind the one-eyed man is king. 山中无老虎，猴子称霸王。
汉译英
守口如瓶 as silent as the grave
口蜜腹剑 A honey tongue, a heart of gall.
如释重负 to take a load off one’s mind
艳若桃李 as red as rose
沧海一粟 a tiny drop in the ocean
如出一辙 to run in the same groove; to cut from the same cloth
一箭双雕 to kill two birds with one stone
本末倒置 to put the cart before the horse/to put the plough before the oxen
积少成多 Many a little makes a mickle.
祸不单行 Misfortune never comes singly.
一叶知秋 A straw shows which way the wind blows.
患难见真情 A friend in need is a friend indeed.
不雨则已，一雨倾盆 It never rains but it pours.
一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳。The burn child dreads the fire./ Once bitten, twice shy.
4. 意译法(Paraphrasing)
一些文化意义很浓的习语, 直译不能传达文化意义, 更换又易将译文文化强加到原文文化中, 增词太多无异于解释, 遇到此种情况应采取意译法配合上下文把习语原文的含义表达出来。
英译汉
to miss the boat 坐失良机；错过机会
to bury one’s head in the sand 采取回避态度
to hit the nail on the head 说得中肯，一语道破
as old as Methuselah寿比南山(长命百岁)
as drunk as a fiddler酩酊大醉
bend the bow of Ulysses 执行一项艰巨的任务
Rest breeds rust. 生命在于运动。
The moon is not seen when the sun shines.小巫见大巫
The dog that will fetch a bone will carry a bone. 对你说别人坏话的人, 也会说你的坏话(搬弄是非者, 即为是非人)
What goes around comes around. 善有善报，恶有恶报。
Even Homer sometimes nods. 智者千虑必有一失。
Beauty lies in lover’s eyes. 情人眼里出西施。
A drowning man will catch at a straw. 病急乱投医。
A horse stumbles that has four legs. 人非圣贤，孰能无过。（金无足赤，人无完人。）
汉译英
暗送秋波 make eyes at somebody secretly
南柯一梦 a fond dream or illusory joy
一窍不通 to know practically nothing about
舍车保帅 giving up a rook to save the king
无孔不入 to take advantage of every weakness
大张旗鼓 on a large and spectacle scale
扬眉吐气 to feel proud and elated
不管三七二十一 regardless of the consequence
桃李满天下 to have students all over the world; with pupils everywhere
打开天窗说亮话 Frankly speaking/Let’s count it on the table.
木已成舟/覆水难收 What’s done is done and cannot be undone.
不到黄河不死心 Not stop until one reaches one’s goal.
醉翁之意不在酒 Many kiss the baby for the nurse’s sake
青出于蓝胜于蓝 Pupil learns from and outdoes his teacher.
英汉习语各具特点，但毕竟也有共性之处。在翻译中探索其异同所在，融会贯通其本意，是互译的基础。
三、汉语四字格
四字表达是汉语中常见的一种语言现象，习惯运用于我们的习语里。四字格有两大类：一类是汉语成语四字格，另一类是普通词语四字格。总体来说，四字格有三大优点：从内容上讲，它言简意赅；从形式上讲，它整齐匀称；从语音上讲，它顺口悦耳。一篇译文恰到好处地使用一些四字格，可以产生抑扬顿挫、跌宕起伏的阅读效果，可以使人享受到语音上的和谐美感，这是普通的二字词语、三字词组或五字词组、六字词组等难以达到的。因此，在忠实于原文的基础上，发挥译文语言优势，充分运用四字格的做法值得提倡。一般而言，英语中的某些形容词、名词以及一些特殊的结构都可以处理为汉语的四字结构，使译文流畅、地道。
我们来欣赏一些精采译例，进一步体会汉语四字格的出奇效果。
例1：These pumps are featured by their simple operation，easy maintenance and durable service．
译一：这些水泵的特点是操作很简单，维修很方便，而且很耐用。
译二：这些水泵的特点是操作简单，维修方便，经久耐用。
例2：The girls were all smiles on hearing the good news.
译一：姑娘们听到这个好消息都满脸堆笑。
译二：听到这个好消息，姑娘们个个笑逐颜开。
例3：In general，the design procedure is not straightforward and will require trial and error．
译一：一般说来，设计过程不是一次就能成功的，而需要反复试验。
译二：一般说来，设计过程不是一帆风顺的，而需要反复试验。
例4：It was an old woman, tall and shapely still, though withered by time, on whom his eyes fell
when he stopped and turned.
译文一：他站住，转过身来，定睛一看，是个年迈的妇女。她身材很高，仍然是一副好模样，虽然受了时间的折磨而有点憔悴。
译文二：他停下脚步，转过身来，定睛一看，原来是个上了年纪的妇女。她身材修长，虽然饱经风霜，显得有点憔悴，但风韵犹存。
例5：The mayor of Toledo said in 1932: “I have seen thousands of these defeated, discouraged,
hopeless men and women, cringing and fawning as they come to ask for public aid. It is a spectacle of national degradation.”
译一：托莱多市长在1932年说过：“我见过数千万遭受了挫折的、失去了信心和希望的男人和女人又奉承又乞怜地前来请求救济。这么一个情景给国家丢了脸。”
译二：托莱多市长在1932年说过：“我见过成千上万的山穷水尽、灰心绝望的男男女女前来请求救济。他们低声下气，苦苦哀求。此情此景真是丢尽了美国的脸。”
例6：Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight, is in
privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business.
译一：读书能给人乐趣、文雅和能力。人们独居或退隐的时候，最能体会到读书的乐趣；谈话的时候，最能表现出读书的文雅；判断和处理事务的时候，最能发挥由读书而获得的能力。
译二：读书足以怡情，足以傅采，足以长才。其怡情也，最见于独处幽居之时；其傅采彩也，最见于高谈阔论之中；其长才也，最见于处事判事之际。
例7：Henry Kissinger, for whose wise counsel and dedicated services far beyond the call of duty I shall always remain grateful.
From his friend, Richard Nixon
译一：赠给亨利·基辛格：
你总能献出英明的计策，用全部心血进行忘我的工作，积极承担份外的事
物，我为此将永远感激你。
你的朋友：理查德·尼克松
译二：赠给亨利·基辛格：
善进良策，献身尔职，逾于所司，永志不渝。
你的朋友：理查德·尼克松
例8：Some old people are oppressed by the fear of death. In the young there is a justification for
this feeling. Young men who have reason for fear that they will be killed in battle may justifiably feel bitter in the thought that they have been cheated of the best things that life has to offer.
译一：有些老年人怕死，因而很郁闷。年轻人怕死是正常的，他们有理由担心会死在战场，想到生活中许多美好的东西，都被骗走，自然会痛心。
译二：有些老年人惧怕死，因而郁郁寡欢。年轻人怕死情有可原，他们有理由担心会
死在战场，想到生活中许多美好的东西，都被骗走，倍感痛心。
从以上译例对比中，我们可以清楚地看到，每个例句的第一个译文，尽管基本上表达了原意，但是文字都是平铺直叙，缺乏形象，读来回味不大；形式上也缺乏平衡，参差不齐，读音更无节奏感可言。而第二个译文在不改变原意的基础上，恰当地运用了四字格，使译文光彩倍增。四字格言简意赅，形式划一，生动鲜明，节奏感强，运用得法可更好地表达原意，增强语言的感染力。
为了很好地运用四字格，我们可以经常做这样的练习，把自己看到或想到的一些英语单
词和词组设法翻译成汉语四字格。大量的练习可以使我们熟能生巧，使我们在以后的翻译实践中能够得心应手地运用四字格。譬如，我们可以用四字格来翻译以下一些英语单词和词组：pregnant 有孕在身、身怀六甲；sweet 娇柔妩媚、温婉可人、楚楚动人；slumbering 沉沉欲睡；bluntly 直截了当、直言不讳、开门见山；capitulate 屈膝投降、缴械投降；talk and laugh cheerfully 谈笑风生、欢声笑语；try to look happy when actually sad 强颜欢笑；as if awakening from a dream 如梦初醒；walk off with sth 顺手牵羊；get instant results 立竿见影；achieve what one wishes 如愿以偿；broad daylight 光天化日；await with great anxiety望穿秋水、望眼欲穿、翘首以待；take on an entirely new look 焕然一新；face danger fearlessly 临危不惧；take a risk in desperation孤注一掷。
extensions 自主拓展
请试着翻译Carnegie 的 “The Road to Success”（成功之道）， 注意译文中汉语四字格的使用。
It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office. I notice we have janitors and jamtresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of a business education. But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. The other day a fond fashionable mother in Michigan asked a young man whether he had ever seen a young lady sweep in a room so grandly as her Priscilla. He said no, he never had, and the mother was gratified beyond measure, but then said he, after a pause, "What I should like to see her do is sweep out a room." It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself.
Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is "aim high". I would not give a fig for the young man who has not already seen himself the partner or the head of an important firm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself, "My place is at the top." Be king in your dreams.
And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which your are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.
The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here, there, and everywhere. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is all wrong. I tell you "put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket". Look round you and take notice; men who do that do not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets, that breaks most eggs in this country. He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration.
To summarize what I have said: Aim for the highest, never enter a bar room; do not touch liquor, or if at all only at meals; never speculate; never indorse beyond your surplus cash fund; make the firm's interest yours; break orders always to save owners; concentrate; put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket; expenditure always within revenue; lastly be not impatient, for, as Emerson says, "no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves."
1) It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. 从头学起
2) Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. 创业之初
3) But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. 毫不犹豫
4) Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is " aim high". 胸怀大志
5) I would not give a fig for the young man who has not already seen himself the partner or the head of an important firm. 不屑一顾
6) Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it , adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it. 出类拔萃；点点滴滴
7）"Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is all wrong. 大错特错
Unit Five
习语的翻译
所谓习语，即约定俗成的固定词组或固定语句。依照这一内涵宽泛的定义，习语可包括成语（idioms and phrases）、谚语(proverbs and allusions)、俗语（famous and popular sayings）、警言(sparkling sentences), 以及汉语中特有的歇后语（enigmatic folk similes ）等等。英汉两种语言历史悠久，包含着大量的习语，它们或含蓄、幽默、或严肃、典雅，不仅言简意赅，而且形象生动，妙趣横和，给人一种美的享受。
一、英汉习语的文化差异
习语在原语言中是增强表达能力的一种有力手段，往往蕴含着丰富的民族文化特色和文化信息，如果在翻译过程中能尽量把这一特色表现出来，会为文章增色不少。因此，英汉习语互译首先要正确理解其含义，认识其文化特点，注意英汉习语之间的文化异同。
1. 生存环境差异
习语的产生与人们的劳动和生活的环境密切相关。英国是一个岛国，历史上航海业曾一度领先世界，英语中有许多关于船和水的习语，如a ll at sea（不知所措）, to sink or swim（无论成败）, to rest on one’s oars（暂时歇一歇）。而汉民族在亚洲大陆生活繁衍，人们的生活离不开土地，汉语中有相当一部分习语与土地、庄稼有关。比喻花钱浪费，大手大脚，英语是spend money like water, 而汉语是“挥金如土”。
2. 生活习俗差异
中西方生活习俗差异是多方面的，最典型的莫过于在对狗这种动物的态度上。在西方英语国家，狗被认为是人类最忠诚的朋友，英语中有关狗的习语大部分没有贬义，还常以狗的形象来比喻人的行为。如a lucky dog（幸运儿），as sick as a dog（病得很厉害），Every dog has its day.（人人都有得意日）。而汉语中狗是一种卑微的动物，与狗有关的习语大多含有贬义。如狐朋狗友(evil friends) ，狗仗人势(to be a bully under the protection of a powerful person) 。
3. 宗教信仰差异
与宗教信仰有关的习语大量出现在英汉语言中。佛教传入中国有一千多年的历史，人相 信“佛祖”左右着人世间的一切，因此有的习语就借用庙宇、和尚、佛作比喻。如临时抱佛脚(to embrace Buddha’s feet in one’s hour of need) ，做一天和尚撞一天种(to take a passive attitude towards one’s work)。在西方许多国家，人们信奉基督教、天主教，相关的习语如as poor as the church mouse(一贫如洗) ，God never shuts one door but he opens another.(天无绝人之路) 。
4. 历史典故
英汉两种语言中还有大量由历史典故形成的习语，这些习语结构简单，意义深远，往往是不能单从字面意义去理解和翻译的。中国人喜欢引用典故饰润语言，使之丰富多彩，生动形象。汉语中的古代寓言故事、神话传说、文学著作中常有这样的习语。如“夸父逐日”、“暗度陈仓”、“叶公好龙”。西方文化有两大渊源，《圣经》和古希腊罗马神话，其中的许多故事已经演变成英语习语。如Achilles’ heel(唯一致命的弱点), the sword of Damocles（处于非常危险地处境）。
二、习语的翻译方法
翻译习语的标准首先是传达本义，其次是尽量保留文化特色和语言特色。习语的翻译有四种主要方法：直译法；直译解释法；等值借用法；意译法。
此外，在汉语中，人们习惯使用由四个字构成的成语，也喜欢使用成语之外的四字结构, 这充分体现了汉语讲求平衡的特征。 因此，在后面的部分会专门讲解汉语四字格的翻译技巧。
1. 直译法( Literal interpretation)
直译就是在不违背译文语言规范以及不引起错误的联想的条件下, 把习语原文的意思用译入语直截了当地表达出来，对原文的内容不加以增减，也不做任何解释，在译文中保留习语的比喻、形象和民族、地方色彩。
英译汉
to be on thin ice 如履薄冰
a gentleman’s agreement 君子协定
the most-favored-nation clause 最惠国条款
to add fuel to the fire 火上浇油
to go through fire and water 赴汤蹈火
An ill tongue may do much. 恶语最伤人。
Beauty is but skin-deep. 美貌只是一层皮。
Blood is thicker than water. 血浓于水。
Care brings grey hair. 忧多生白发。
Out of sight, out of mind. 眼不见，心不烦。
Heaven helps those who help themselves. 天助自助者。
Every man has his faults. 人非圣贤，孰能无过。
Plan the whole year in the spring. 一年之计在于春。
Better be a bird in the wood than one in the cage. 宁做林中鸟，不做笼中雀。
汉译英
精打细算 careful calculation and strict budgeting
易如反掌 to be as easy as turning over one’s hand
竭泽而渔 to drain a pond to catch all the fish
打草惊蛇 to stir up the grass and alert the snake
人杰地灵 a remarkable place producing outstanding people
如虎添翼 like a tiger who has grown wings
三思而后行 look before you leap
巧孤掌难鸣 You can’t clap with one hand.
时势造英雄 Circumstances create heroes.
初生牛犊不怕虎 New-born calves make little of tiger.
跑得了和尚跑不了庙 The monk may run away, but the temple can’t run with him.
巧妇难为无米之炊Even a clever housewife cannot cook a meal without rice.
路遥知马力，日久见人心A long road tests a horse’s strength and a long task proves a man’s heart. 留得青山在，不愁没柴烧 As long as green hills remain, there’ll never be a shortage of firewood.
2. 直译解释法(Literal interpretation combined with paraphrasing)
为了保留原文的文化色彩, 而直译又不能使读者理解时, 可在直译的基础上增加适当的解释性的词, 对原文涉及文化背景的内容加以解释或意译出来，使译文形象生动, 体现出原文的风格和韵味。这种技巧适用于该习语原文的形象描述或引起的联想在译入语中难以找到对等的表达的情况。
英译汉
Pandora ’s box 潘多拉的盒子 （比喻祸害的根源）
soft soap 软肥皂（奉承，恭维，拍马）
Solomon 所罗门（比喻聪明人或贤人）
the Trojan horse 特洛伊木马（比喻引起内部破坏的因素）
sour grapes 酸葡萄（得不到的东西就说它不好）
stick and carrot 大棒和胡萝卜（软硬兼施）
jam tomorrow 明天有果酱（许诺但不兑现的东西）
to get blood from stone 石中取血（做不可能的事）
storm in a teacup 茶杯里的风暴（小题大做）
doubting Thomas 怀疑的托马斯 (怀疑主义者)
The darkest place is under the candlestick. 烛台之下最黑暗 (上级不察下情)
There is no rose without a thorn. 没有不带刺的玫瑰（世上没有十全的幸福；有乐必有苦）。 Sparrows should not dance with cranes. 麻雀不应跟仙鹤一起跳舞。（喻指人应有自知之明） 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。（己不正不正人）
汉译英
杞人忧天 like the man of Chi who was haunted by the fear that the sky will fall--unnecessary anxiety
盲人骑瞎马a blind man on a blind horse--rushing headlong to disaster
生米煮成熟饭 The rice is already cooked--What is done cannot be undone.
走马观花 look at the flowers while passing them on horseback --glance over things hurriedly 缘木求鱼 climb a tree to catch fish--a fruitless approach
借花献佛 present Buddha with flowers given by another--make a gift of something given by another
东施效颦 Dongshi , an ugly woman , knitting her brows in imitation of the famous beauty Xishi-- only to make herself uglier.
班门弄斧 to show off one’s skill with the axe before Lu Ban-- the master carpenter-- to display one ’s slight skill before an expert
人非草木 A man is not a stalk of grass or a tree--man is sentimental creature.
杀鸡给猴看 to kill the chicken to frighten the monkey--to punish somebody as a warning to others
黄鼠狼给鸡拜年The weasel goes to pay his respects to the hen--not with the best of intentions. 三个臭皮匠赛过诸葛亮 Three cobblers with their wits combined surpass Zhuge Liang, the mastermind--two heads are better than one.
水至清则无鱼 Fish do not come when water is too clear--one should not demand absolute purity. 天涯处处有芳草 There are fragrant flowers in every land--there are able men everywhere.
3. 等值借用法(Borrowing)
两种语言中有些同义习语无论在内容、形式和色彩上都有相符合的地方，它们不但有相同的意思或隐义，而且有相同的或极相似的形象或比喻。翻译时如果遇到这种情况不妨直载了当地互相借用。一方面可以保持原来生动的描述和同等的表达，另一方面更容易被译文读者理解和接受，译文也更加通顺。
英译汉
to catch at shadows 捕风捉影
to fish in the air 水中捞月
to look for a needle in a hay stack 大海捞针
to burn the boat 破釜沉舟
to laugh off one’s head 笑掉大牙
to drown one’s sorrow 借酒浇愁
to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs 杀鸡取卵
to know something like the palm of one’s hand 了如指掌
give one an inch and one will take a mile 得寸进尺
Great minds think alike. 英雄所见略同。
Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion. 宁为鸡头，不为凤尾。
What is said cannot be unsaid.一言既出，驷马难追。
As you sow, so will you reap. 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。
Among the blind the one-eyed man is king. 山中无老虎，猴子称霸王。
汉译英
守口如瓶 as silent as the grave
口蜜腹剑 A honey tongue, a heart of gall.
如释重负 to take a load off one’s mind
艳若桃李 as red as rose
沧海一粟 a tiny drop in the ocean
如出一辙 to run in the same groove; to cut from the same cloth
一箭双雕 to kill two birds with one stone
本末倒置 to put the cart before the horse/to put the plough before the oxen
积少成多 Many a little makes a mickle.
祸不单行 Misfortune never comes singly.
一叶知秋 A straw shows which way the wind blows.
患难见真情 A friend in need is a friend indeed.
不雨则已，一雨倾盆 It never rains but it pours.
一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳。The burn child dreads the fire./ Once bitten, twice shy.
4. 意译法(Paraphrasing)
一些文化意义很浓的习语, 直译不能传达文化意义, 更换又易将译文文化强加到原文文化中, 增词太多无异于解释, 遇到此种情况应采取意译法配合上下文把习语原文的含义表达出来。
英译汉
to miss the boat 坐失良机；错过机会
to bury one’s head in the sand 采取回避态度
to hit the nail on the head 说得中肯，一语道破
as old as Methuselah寿比南山(长命百岁)
as drunk as a fiddler酩酊大醉
bend the bow of Ulysses 执行一项艰巨的任务
Rest breeds rust. 生命在于运动。
The moon is not seen when the sun shines.小巫见大巫
The dog that will fetch a bone will carry a bone. 对你说别人坏话的人, 也会说你的坏话(搬弄是非者, 即为是非人)
What goes around comes around. 善有善报，恶有恶报。
Even Homer sometimes nods. 智者千虑必有一失。
Beauty lies in lover’s eyes. 情人眼里出西施。
A drowning man will catch at a straw. 病急乱投医。
A horse stumbles that has four legs. 人非圣贤，孰能无过。（金无足赤，人无完人。）
汉译英
暗送秋波 make eyes at somebody secretly
南柯一梦 a fond dream or illusory joy
一窍不通 to know practically nothing about
舍车保帅 giving up a rook to save the king
无孔不入 to take advantage of every weakness
大张旗鼓 on a large and spectacle scale
扬眉吐气 to feel proud and elated
不管三七二十一 regardless of the consequence
桃李满天下 to have students all over the world; with pupils everywhere
打开天窗说亮话 Frankly speaking/Let’s count it on the table.
木已成舟/覆水难收 What’s done is done and cannot be undone.
不到黄河不死心 Not stop until one reaches one’s goal.
醉翁之意不在酒 Many kiss the baby for the nurse’s sake
青出于蓝胜于蓝 Pupil learns from and outdoes his teacher.
英汉习语各具特点，但毕竟也有共性之处。在翻译中探索其异同所在，融会贯通其本意，是互译的基础。
三、汉语四字格
四字表达是汉语中常见的一种语言现象，习惯运用于我们的习语里。四字格有两大类：一类是汉语成语四字格，另一类是普通词语四字格。总体来说，四字格有三大优点：从内容上讲，它言简意赅；从形式上讲，它整齐匀称；从语音上讲，它顺口悦耳。一篇译文恰到好处地使用一些四字格，可以产生抑扬顿挫、跌宕起伏的阅读效果，可以使人享受到语音上的和谐美感，这是普通的二字词语、三字词组或五字词组、六字词组等难以达到的。因此，在忠实于原文的基础上，发挥译文语言优势，充分运用四字格的做法值得提倡。一般而言，英语中的某些形容词、名词以及一些特殊的结构都可以处理为汉语的四字结构，使译文流畅、地道。
我们来欣赏一些精采译例，进一步体会汉语四字格的出奇效果。
例1：These pumps are featured by their simple operation，easy maintenance and durable service．
译一：这些水泵的特点是操作很简单，维修很方便，而且很耐用。
译二：这些水泵的特点是操作简单，维修方便，经久耐用。
例2：The girls were all smiles on hearing the good news.
译一：姑娘们听到这个好消息都满脸堆笑。
译二：听到这个好消息，姑娘们个个笑逐颜开。
例3：In general，the design procedure is not straightforward and will require trial and error．
译一：一般说来，设计过程不是一次就能成功的，而需要反复试验。
译二：一般说来，设计过程不是一帆风顺的，而需要反复试验。
例4：It was an old woman, tall and shapely still, though withered by time, on whom his eyes fell
when he stopped and turned.
译文一：他站住，转过身来，定睛一看，是个年迈的妇女。她身材很高，仍然是一副好模样，虽然受了时间的折磨而有点憔悴。
译文二：他停下脚步，转过身来，定睛一看，原来是个上了年纪的妇女。她身材修长，虽然饱经风霜，显得有点憔悴，但风韵犹存。
例5：The mayor of Toledo said in 1932: “I have seen thousands of these defeated, discouraged,
hopeless men and women, cringing and fawning as they come to ask for public aid. It is a spectacle of national degradation.”
译一：托莱多市长在1932年说过：“我见过数千万遭受了挫折的、失去了信心和希望的男人和女人又奉承又乞怜地前来请求救济。这么一个情景给国家丢了脸。”
译二：托莱多市长在1932年说过：“我见过成千上万的山穷水尽、灰心绝望的男男女女前来请求救济。他们低声下气，苦苦哀求。此情此景真是丢尽了美国的脸。”
例6：Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight, is in
privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business.
译一：读书能给人乐趣、文雅和能力。人们独居或退隐的时候，最能体会到读书的乐趣；谈话的时候，最能表现出读书的文雅；判断和处理事务的时候，最能发挥由读书而获得的能力。
译二：读书足以怡情，足以傅采，足以长才。其怡情也，最见于独处幽居之时；其傅采彩也，最见于高谈阔论之中；其长才也，最见于处事判事之际。
例7：Henry Kissinger, for whose wise counsel and dedicated services far beyond the call of duty I shall always remain grateful.
From his friend, Richard Nixon
译一：赠给亨利·基辛格：
你总能献出英明的计策，用全部心血进行忘我的工作，积极承担份外的事
物，我为此将永远感激你。
你的朋友：理查德·尼克松
译二：赠给亨利·基辛格：
善进良策，献身尔职，逾于所司，永志不渝。
你的朋友：理查德·尼克松
例8：Some old people are oppressed by the fear of death. In the young there is a justification for
this feeling. Young men who have reason for fear that they will be killed in battle may justifiably feel bitter in the thought that they have been cheated of the best things that life has to offer.
译一：有些老年人怕死，因而很郁闷。年轻人怕死是正常的，他们有理由担心会死在战场，想到生活中许多美好的东西，都被骗走，自然会痛心。
译二：有些老年人惧怕死，因而郁郁寡欢。年轻人怕死情有可原，他们有理由担心会
死在战场，想到生活中许多美好的东西，都被骗走，倍感痛心。
从以上译例对比中，我们可以清楚地看到，每个例句的第一个译文，尽管基本上表达了原意，但是文字都是平铺直叙，缺乏形象，读来回味不大；形式上也缺乏平衡，参差不齐，读音更无节奏感可言。而第二个译文在不改变原意的基础上，恰当地运用了四字格，使译文光彩倍增。四字格言简意赅，形式划一，生动鲜明，节奏感强，运用得法可更好地表达原意，增强语言的感染力。
为了很好地运用四字格，我们可以经常做这样的练习，把自己看到或想到的一些英语单
词和词组设法翻译成汉语四字格。大量的练习可以使我们熟能生巧，使我们在以后的翻译实践中能够得心应手地运用四字格。譬如，我们可以用四字格来翻译以下一些英语单词和词组：pregnant 有孕在身、身怀六甲；sweet 娇柔妩媚、温婉可人、楚楚动人；slumbering 沉沉欲睡；bluntly 直截了当、直言不讳、开门见山；capitulate 屈膝投降、缴械投降；talk and laugh cheerfully 谈笑风生、欢声笑语；try to look happy when actually sad 强颜欢笑；as if awakening from a dream 如梦初醒；walk off with sth 顺手牵羊；get instant results 立竿见影；achieve what one wishes 如愿以偿；broad daylight 光天化日；await with great anxiety望穿秋水、望眼欲穿、翘首以待；take on an entirely new look 焕然一新；face danger fearlessly 临危不惧；take a risk in desperation孤注一掷。
extensions 自主拓展
请试着翻译Carnegie 的 “The Road to Success”（成功之道）， 注意译文中汉语四字格的使用。
It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office. I notice we have janitors and jamtresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of a business education. But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. The other day a fond fashionable mother in Michigan asked a young man whether he had ever seen a young lady sweep in a room so grandly as her Priscilla. He said no, he never had, and the mother was gratified beyond measure, but then said he, after a pause, "What I should like to see her do is sweep out a room." It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself.
Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is "aim high". I would not give a fig for the young man who has not already seen himself the partner or the head of an important firm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself, "My place is at the top." Be king in your dreams.
And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which your are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.
The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here, there, and everywhere. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is all wrong. I tell you "put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket". Look round you and take notice; men who do that do not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets, that breaks most eggs in this country. He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration.
To summarize what I have said: Aim for the highest, never enter a bar room; do not touch liquor, or if at all only at meals; never speculate; never indorse beyond your surplus cash fund; make the firm's interest yours; break orders always to save owners; concentrate; put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket; expenditure always within revenue; lastly be not impatient, for, as Emerson says, "no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves."
1) It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. 从头学起
2) Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. 创业之初
3) But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. 毫不犹豫
4) Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is " aim high". 胸怀大志
5) I would not give a fig for the young man who has not already seen himself the partner or the head of an important firm. 不屑一顾
6) Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it , adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it. 出类拔萃；点点滴滴
7）"Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is all wrong. 大错特错