Different Associations of Animal Words in English and Chinese and the Relevant Translation Strategies

Abstract

There are a large number of phrases containing animal words both in English and Chinese. However, many associative meanings concerning animal words existing in English and Chinese cultures are different or even opposite due to historical and cultural differences. In order to translate relevant phrases correctly, translator should know the different associations of animal words in English and Chinese. This paper aims at pointing out associative differences of a large quantity of animal words in English and Chinese as well as dealing with translation of animal idioms and relevant phrases with domestication, foreignization, and domestication or foreignization plus explanation so as to reach dynamic equivalence of source language and target language in translation.