Author(s): WANG Shu-wen, LI Hong
Pages: 62-65
Year: 2014 Issue:  6
Journal: Journal of Shaanxi Institute of Education
Keyword:  A Dream of Red Mansions; animal idioms; metaphor translation; cultural difference;
Abstract: Metaphor is not only a rhetorical vehicle but a way of thinking .Human behaviors can be un‐derstood through animal behaviors by means of metaphor .Based on the comparison of English and Chinese animal idioms ,the animal metaphorical idioms in A Dream of Red Mansions is divided into four catego‐ries ,w hich are corresponding metaphorical idioms ,similar metaphorical idioms ,vacant metaphorical idi‐oms and conflict metaphorical idioms .To translate these animal idioms we should firstly know the meta‐phorical mapping mechanism ,as well as the cultural information within those metaphors .By taking meta‐phor in cognitive linguistics with theoretical basis ,this thesis analyzes the translations of animal idioms in A Dream of Red Mansions and summarizes Yangs’ translation strategies and their gain and loss in inter‐cultural communication .