英语谚语范文

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篇1

Thispapercontainsthreeparts:thesourcesofEnglishproverbs、thefunctionsofEnglishproverbsandtherhetoricaldevicesofEnglishproverbs.

Firstly,itintroducesthesourcesofEnglishproverbs.Proverbshavealonghistory.Theyarebriefandwell-polishedexpressionsembeddedinphilosophicalideasconcerningdifferentaspectsoflife.Theyarethesummaryofpeopleexperienceineverydaylife,sotheyoriginatedfrompeople’sdailylifeandexperience.Tobespecific,theycomefromfolklife,religion,mythology,literaryworks,otherlanguages,famouswriters’wisdom,anation’shistoryandsoon.

Secondly,itmentionsthefunctionofEnglishproverbs.Itsfunctionistoteachandadvisepeoplewhattheyseeintheirlives.ManyEnglishproverbsguidepeopletoadoptacorrectattitudetowardslifeandtotakeaproperwaytogetalongwellwithothers.Someotherproverbstellpeoplewhattodoandhowtodoit,sotheproverbsguidepeople’sdailylife.Fromthem,peoplemaybroadentheirknowledgeandoutlook.

Thirdly,itdescribestheirrhetoricaldevices.Englishproverbsarerichandcolorful.WithregardtotheeverlastingcharmoftheEnglishproverbs,therearemanydifferentreasons.Themostimportantoneistheextensiveuseofrhetoricaldevicesandrhythmaticalways,sotheirlanguageisfullofimageandvividnessandhasastrongartisticbeautyandpower.

［KeyWords］Englishproverbs；sources；functions；rhetoricaldevices

谚语丰富多彩，生动隽永，反映了每个民族追崇的重要而独特的文化价值观。谚语简单通俗，精辟凝练，尤其以朗朗的口语形态承传沿用，渐渐成为民族主流文化不可缺少的一部分。

这篇论文包含三个部分：英语谚语的来源，英语谚语的功能及其修辞。第一部分是介绍英语谚语的来源，英语谚语源远流长，是人类日常生活经验的结晶。它来源于日常生活与经验，确切地说，来源于民间生活，宗教，神话，文学著作，其他语言，名人名言以及国家历史等。第二部分是介绍英语谚语的功能，谚语的功能是教育和指导人们在日常生活中所碰到的情况，同时它们引导人们采取正确的态度对待生活。从谚语中，人们可以拓宽自己的知识面，避免出错，具有敏锐的观察力的人从中受益非浅。第三部分是介绍英语谚语的修辞：英语谚语丰富多彩，具有永恒的魅力，其原因之一就是应用了大量的修辞格和押韵方法，这就使谚语更形象，生动并具有强烈的艺术美和感染力。

英语谚语；来源；功能；修辞格

1.Introduction

Proverbsareshortsayingsoffolkwisdomofwell-knownfactsortruthscompendiousexpressedandinawaythatmakesthemeasytoremember.Becausetheproverbsaresobrief,theyhaveuniversalappeal.Manypeoplelovetopickupproverbs.Theuseofoneortwointheoriginallanguageisoftenaminorvictoryforthebeginningforeignlanguagelearners.Proverbsmayprovideinterestinglittleglimpsesorcluestoapeople’sgeography,history,socialorganization,socialviews,andattitudes.Peoplewholivealongseacoastsandwhoselivelihoodisdependentontheseawillhaveproverbsaboutsailing,aboutbravingtheweather,aboutfishandfishing.Incultureswhereoldageisrevered,therewillbeproverbsaboutthewisdomoftheelders.Andinsocietieswherewomen’sstatusislow,therewillbeanumberofsayingsdemeaningthem.

Proverbstellmuchaboutapeople''''straditionalwaysofexperiencingreality,abouttheproperorexpectedwaysofdoingthings,aboutvaluesandwarnings,andrulesandwisdomstheelderswanttoimpressonthemindsoftheiryoung.Theimportantcharacterofproverbs‘theshorterthebetter’makesiteasytocommitthemtomemoryforreadyrecallwhentheoccasioncallsforseriousorhumorouscommentorwarning.Createdbypeopleinhighandlowstatus,humblefolkandgreatauthors,borrowedfromancientorneighboringcultures,proverbshavebeenaccumulatingovermanycenturies.Someareonlylocallyknown;manyaresharedaroundtheworld.IfonewantstohavebetterknowledgeofEnglishculture，heshouldbefamiliarwiththesourcesandfunctionsofEnglishproverbs.

2.ThesourcesofEnglishproverbs

2.1Originatingfromfolklife

Proverbsarethesummaryofpeopleexperienceintheireverydaylife.Thesummarizedexperienceandreasonareabstractedfromthepracticeofpeople’slifeandwork.Theyexpresspeople’ssimpleandhealthythoughts,feelingsandsentiments.Moreoftenthannot,itrevealsauniversaltruthfromaparticularpointsoastoenlightenpeople.

Agreatnumbero

fproverbswerecreatedbyworkingpeoplesuchasseamen,hunters,farmers,workmen,housewivesandcooksandsoon,usingfamiliartermsthatwereassociatedwiththeirowntradesandoccupations.Forexample,Livingwithouttheaimislikesailingwithoutacompasswasfirstusedbyseamen;Ifyourunaftertwohares,youwillcatchneitherbyhunters;Aprilrainsforcorn,May,forgrassbyfarmers;NewbroomsweepscleanbyhousewivesandToomanycooksspoilthebrothbycooks,etc.Suchexpressionswereallcolloquialandinformalandonceconfinedtoalimitedgroupofpeopleengagedinthesametradeoractivity.Buttheywereprovedtobevivid,andforcibleandstimulating,solatertheybrokeoutoftheirboundsandgraduallygainedwideacceptance.Asaresult,theirearlystylisticfeaturesfadedinsomewayandmanyhavecometobecomepartofthecommoncoreoflanguage,nowbeingusedindifferentoccasions.

Someproverbsarerelatedtosomefolkpracticeandcustoms.Forexample,Goodwineneedsnobush.1ThisproverbisfromanancientpopularEnglishpractice.Inthepast,Englishwinemerchantstendedtohangsomeivybushesorapictureofivybushesontheirdoorsasasymbolofwineselling.Butsomemerchant’swinewassogoodthatitcan’tbeignoredwithoutsign.Thisinfactshowsthepastcommonpracticethatmerchantsofdifferenttradeswouldhangdifferentparticularthingsassignsfortheirgoods.

Anotherexampleisinvolvedwithpeople’sweddingpractice.Englishpeoplebelievedthatiftheweatherwerefineandsunnyonagirl-weddingday,thegirlwouldmostprobablyenjoyahappymarriagelife.Otherwise,allsortsofmisfortunesandtragedieswouldbefallonher.Becauseofthiscustom,EnglishpeoplehavegotaproverbHappyisthebridethatsunshineson.2ThisproverboriginatedfromthecommonpracticeinancientChina.Inthepast,younggirlsdidn’thavetherighttodecidewhomtomarry.Theirparentshadthefinaldecisionintheirmarriage.Usually,theparentswouldaskamatchmakerforhelp.Thematchmakerwentbetweentwofamiliesandpassedonthemessages.Finally,thegirl’sparentsmadethefinaldecisionwhetherthegirlwouldmarrythechosenboyornot.Thisisknownasarrangedmarriage.Suchamarriage,moreoftenthannot,wouldleadthecoupletoanunhappylife.Becausetheyseldomorevenneversaweachotherbefore,theyknewevenlittleabouttheotherparty’sbehaviorormanners,letalonehis/herpersonalityorvirtues.Itwasoftenbeyondthecouple’shopestoenjoyahappymarriage.

Someproverbscamefromancientpeopledeeplyrootedbeliefssuchastheirsuperstitioustendencyandbelief.Inthepast,Englishpeoplebelievedthatifapersonspoiledsaltfromthesaltbottle,misfortuneandbadluckwouldfollow.Thenthispersonmustscatterthespoiledsaltfromtheirleftshoulderssoastodriveofftheirillluck.Inturn,EnglishpeoplehavegottheproverbHelpmetosaltandyouhelpmetosorrow.3Someproverbscomefrompeople’sdistinctionbetweensexessuchastheirdiscriminationagainstwomen.Itcomesfromadeeplyrootedtraditionalviewpoint.SuchasThreewomenandagoosemakeamarket;Longhairandshortwit;Themorewomenlookintheirglass，thelesstheylooktotheirhouse.

2.2Originatingfromreligion

BibleisessentialforBritishandAmericancultures.ItissaidthattheirculturesarenotintegratedwithoutBible.ItissafetosaythatBibleinfluenceseveryaspectofitsdisciples’life.Consequently,manysayingsandsentencesinBiblehavebeenpopularlyaccepted.Theyhavebeendeeplyrootedamongpeopleandpeoplefrequentlyusethemtociteatruthorexpresstheirideaswithoutpayinganyattentiontotheiroriginsanymore.ThesesayingsarenolongeronlyconfinedtoreligionandtheyhavebecomeproverbswhichreflectEnglishpeoplereligiousfaithsuchasEverymanmustcarryhisowncrossThisproverbisfromBible,Matthew,onthegroundsofMatthew,themainideaislikethis:“Asthesoldierswentout,theycameuponamanfromCyrenenamedSimon;theycompelledthismantocarryJesus’cross.AndwhentheycametoaplacecalledGolgotha(whichmeansPlaceofaskull),theyofferedJesuswinetodrink,mixedwithgall;butwhenhetastedit,hewouldnotdrinkit.Andwhentheyhadcrucifiedhim,theydividedhisclothesamongthemselvesbycastinglots;thentheysatdownthereandkeptwatchingoverhim.Overhisheadtheyputthechargeagainst,whichread,“ThisisJesus,thekingoftheJews.””4Fromthis,wecanknowthatcrossmeanssufferings.Theproverbtendstotellusthateveryoneshouldputupwithmiseryindailylifeandundertakethelife’sburden.

AnotherproverbisalsofromtheBible:Onedoesn’tliveonlybybread.ItisfromtheBible,Deuteronomy，thegeneralideais:“RememberthelongwaythattheLordyourGodhasledyouthesefortyyearsinthewilderness,inordertohumbleyou,testingyoutoknowwhatwasinyourheart,whetherornotyouwouldkeephiscommandments.Hehumbledyoubylettingyouhunger,thenbyfeedingyouwithManna,withwhichneitheryounoryourancestorswereacquainted,inordertomakeyouunderstandthatonedoesnotlivebybreadalone,butbyeverywordthatcomesfromthemouthoftheLord.”5Fromthis,wecanknowthatmaterialisnottheonlythingthatisindispensabletomen.Spiritisalsoveryimportant.Isoneisonlysearchedformaterial,hewillbeconsideredasanimals,forthemostdistinctivecharacteristicbetweenmenandanimalsisthatmenhavepursuitofspiritbutanimalshaven’t.Manyimagesintheseproverbshavedidacticmeanings.

EnglishpeoplebelieveinChristianity,whichisbyfarthemostinfluentialreligioninthewest.Everyaspectofman’slifeistouchedbythisreligion,sothatithasbecomepartofwesternculture.AndtheBible,whichincludestheOldTestamentandtheNewTestament,isregardedasthescriptures.AlmosteveryfamilyhasaversionofBible,soithascometobeoneofthemajorsourcesofEnglishculture.ManyEnglishproverbsshowthedoctrinesoftheirreligion.Forexample,Letnotthylefthandknowwhatthyrighthanddoeth.6AccordingtothedoctrinesofBible:allhumanbeingsarebrothersandsisters,andtheyshouldhelpeachother.Sowhenyougivehandstoothers,neverkeepthememorythatyouhavehelpedthem.Anotherexample,Iftheblindleadtheblind,bothshallfallintotheditch.7Itimpliesthatifonehaslittleknowledge,itisdifficultforhimtoteachotherssomeusefulthings.Evenifhetriedtohelpothers,hewoulddonothinggoodtothem.

2.3Originatingfromliteraryworks

ManyEnglishproverbsinvolveeventsorcharactersofEnglishliterature,especiallyfromShakespeare.Shakespeare’sinsightintohumanbeings,hissensitivitytotheproblemofstate,andhisgeniuswithwordshaveleftaneverlastingmarkontheEnglishlanguageandthethinkingofEnglish-speakingpeopleallovertheworld.NativespeakersofEnglishquotehisworkseveryday,oftenwithoutrealizingtheyaredoingso.Althoughhisplayswerewrittenoverthreehundredyearsago,manyEnglishproverbsfromhisplaysarecitedcommonlyindailyEnglish.

Shakespeare’sworksareprobablythemostcolorfulliteratureoriginofproverbs.Forexample,Allisnotgoldthatglitters.ThisproverbisfromthegreatworksofShakespeareTheMerchantsofVenice.Itshowsusthatthosewhohaveagoodappearancearenotreallylearned.Soweshouldbecarefulnottobedeceivedbythosewhoaresuperficiallyflashybutwithoutsubstance.Anotherexample,Patienceperforceismedicineforamaddog8isfromShakespeare’sworksAntonyandCleopatra.Ittellsusthatthosewhocannotendureanythingwouldlosehistemperlikesamaddog.

ManyEnglishproverbsarealsofromTheFablesofAesop.Theseproverbsareveryconciseandhumorous,andtheyreflecttheessenceandthetruemeaningoflife.Itisveryeasyforpeopletounderstandthemandtoputthemintopractice.Manyofthemarepasseddowntilltoday.Forexample,Thecamelgoingtoseekhorns,losthisears.9Thegeneralideaoftheallusionis:acowshowedoffhishornsinfrontofacamel.Thecamelwasenviousofcow’shorns,soherequestedZeustogiveapairofhornstohim.Zeuswasveryangry,becausehethoughtthatthecamelwasgreedytoaskforhornswithhissohugebody.Atlast,hemadeadecisionthatheletthecamelhavehornsbutwiththecostofcuttingoffapartofhisears.Thisproverbtellsusthatifoneisgreedytooccupyeverything,hewillbepunishedbyhisgreed.

AnotherproverbisalsofromtheFablesofAesop.“Thegrapesaresour”,asthefoxsaidwhenhecouldnotreachthem.10Theallusion,whichthisproverbcamefrom,isgenerallylikethis:oneday,ahungryfoxsawalotofripegrapeshangingonthegrapevine.Hebeathisbrainshardbutcouldnotfindawaytopickthegrapes.Thehungrierhefelt,theangrierhegot.Finally,hegaveup.Inordertocomforthimself,“Thegrapesaresour”,thefoxsaidwhilewalkingaway.Nowadays,peoplewidelyuseittoexpressthatsomeonewhowantstotakeholdofsomethingwithallhiseffortbutfailstogetitwilllowerthevalueofthisthing.

Therearealsootherproverbs,suchas:Abarleycornisbetterthanadiamondtoacock.11Theallusion’smainideais:whenahungrycockwassearchedforfood,hesawadiamond.Thecocksaidtothediamond:“Tosomeonewhoadmiresyou,youareapreciousthing;buttome,youhavenovalueatall,forallvaluablethingcannotmatchwithabarley-corn.”Indeed,accordingtoourcommonsense,adiamondisfarmorevaluablethanabarley-corn.Buttoahungryman,especiallytosomeonewhoneedsgrainsbadly,hewouldchoosegrainsbutnottreasure,fortreasurecannotsatisfyhisstomach.Sothisproverbtendstoimplythatdifferentpeoplehavedifferentviewsnothesamething.Thesubmittingtoonewrongbringsonanother.12Theallusion,whichthisproverbcamefrom,isgenerallylikethis:asnakewasoftenriddendownbypeople,sohecomplainedittoZeus.Zeustoldhimthatifhebitsomeonewhofirstlytrampledonhim,thenextonewouldnottramplehim.Itshowsthatifoneputupwiththemistakehemadeatthefirsttime,hewillmakeanothersimilarmistake.Soweshouldgainalessonfromtheaboveallusionsoastoavoidmakingthesamemistakes.

2.4OriginatingfromGreekandRomanmythology

“WesternersareheirstoGreco-Romancivilization.ManyideasnowprevailinginwesterncountriescanbetracedbacktothethinkersinancientGreeceandRoman.GreekandRomanmythologiesarewellknowninthewestandhavebeardonastronginfluenceuponpeople’slivesinwesterncountries.ItisnaturalthatitbecomesacommonsourceofEnglishproverbs.”13

SomeproverbsarefromGreekandRomanmythology.Eachofthemhasanallusion.Forexample,TheDeviltoohasAchilles’heel.14AccordingtotheHomer,wecanknow:AchilleswasaGreekhero.Excepthisheel,everypartofAchilles’bodyisswordproof,sohisheelishisfataldefect.TheproverbtellsusthateventheDevilhashisweakness.Nomanisabsolutelypowerful.ThereisasimilarexamplefromRomanmythology.NotevenHerculescouldcontendagainsttwo.15Hercules,asonofZeus,wasaheroinRomanmythology.Hehadincredibleforce,whichhelpedhimgaintwelveheroicachievements.Althoughhewaspowerfulenough,hecouldn’tdefeatalargenumberofenemiesonhisown.Sotheproverbstellsusthatman’senergyislimitednomatterhowpowerfulheis.Anotherexample,withoutCeresandBacchus,Venusgrowscold.16CeresisRomangoddessofgrainandagriculture;BacchusistheGreetgodofwine;Venusisthegoddessofbeautyandlove.Fromthis,wecanknowthatCeresandBacchusstandforbasicnecessityoflife.Sotheproverbtendstoexpressthatlovecan’tbesweetwithoutmaterialsupport.

2.5Originatingfromotherlanguages

Withthedevelopmentofsociety,alanguagecannotavoidcontactingwithotherlanguages.Inthecontact,thecertainlanguagesurelyabsorbssomeproverbsfromothers.Withalonghistory,EnglishlanguageborrowedalargenumberofproverbswidelyfrommanyotherlanguagesincludingGreek,Latin,German,Italian,Spanish,Dutch,Hebrew,Arabic,Chinese,andotherlanguages,amongwhichLatin,GreekandFrenchprovidetherichestnutrition.MostoftheborrowedproverbsinEnglish,duetotheremotenessoftime,havealreadyassimilatedormergedintotheEnglishlanguagewiththeirtracesalmostimpossibletofollow.

ManyEnglishproverbsoriginatedfromFrench.17William,DukeofNormandy,France,landedhismightyarmyatPevensyanddefeatedSaxonkingHarold’smennearHastings.WilliamwascrownedaskingofEngland,andthenheopeneddoorstothecontinentandextendedcultureandcommercialrelationswithFrance.Norman-Franceculture,languageandarchitecturewereintroduced.TheconquerorsruledEnglandinalongperiodoftime,andmostofthegovernorsusedFrenchastheirformallanguage.AlthoughEnglandfinallywonhersovereignty,therewerestillmanyborrowedwordsfromFranceremained.Especially,EnglishpeopleacceptedmanyFrenchsayings.Forexample,Don’tputthecartbeforethehorse;Ventureasmallfishtocatchagreatone;Ifthelion’sskincannot,thefox’sshall.

ManyEnglishproverbscamefromLatin.18BecauseoftheintroductionofChristianityintoBritain,theinfluenceoftheNormanConquestandtheRenaissanceonEnglish,LatinwordshadmadetheirwayintotheEnglishlanguage.AmongtheseLatinwordstherealsoincludedmanyproverbs,whichgainedwideacceptanceofEnglishpeople.Suchas:Fortunefavorsthebrave;Hewhosayswhathelikes,shallhearwhathedoesnotlike;IfeartheGreeks,evenwhenbringinggifts;Thereisnorulewithoutanexceptionandsoon.

2.6Originatingfromfamouswriters’wisdom

FamouswritersprovidedoneoftherichestsourcesforEnglishproverbs,whichisonlynexttotheproverbsoffolkorigin.Wealsocansaythatmostproverbs,regardlessoftheirinitial,havebeenpolishedandpreservedandpopularizedbyfamouswritersintheirworks.ItisgenerallyagreedthatsuchfamouswritersasBacon,Pope,Franklinandsooncontributedquitealottothecreation,preservationandpopularizationofEnglishproverbs.

BaconisadistinguishedEnglishphilosopherandwriter.Heisnotedforastyleofthoroughexpositionandalternativemaxims.ManysentencesinBacon’sworkshavebecomegoldensayingandprevailedamongpeople.Forexample,Readingmakesafullmantellspeoplethatonlybyreadingcanapersonbecomelearnedandprofound.AnotherproverbKnowledgeispoweremphasizestheimportanceofknowledgeandencouragespeopletostudymoreandlearnmore.

PopeisanothercelebratedfigureinEnglishliterature.Heemphasizeseducationandknowledgeverymuch.Somesentencesfromhisworkshavebeenacceptedbythereadersandbecomedeeplyrootedamongpeople.TakeAlittlelearningisadangerousthingforexample.ThisdidacticproverbisasentenceinPopeAnEssayonCriticismanditreflectshisideasaboutknowledgeandlearning.

BenjaminFranklinisafamousAmericanstatesman,scientistandwriter.Manysayingsfromhisworkswerewidelyacceptedandenlightenpeople.Forexample,Littlestrokefellgreatoaks.19Ittellsusthatonenevergivinguppursuingknowledge,becauseonlythosewhoarestrong-mindedcanbehighlyintellectual.Anotherexample,Godhelpthemthathelpthemselves.20Ittendstotellusthatsolongasonevaluesself-relianceandindependence,hecancreateopportunities,seekcompetitionandbereadyfortherisks.

3.ThefunctionofEnglishproverbs

ThefunctionsofEnglishproverbsarethattheyexpresssomerulesofconductandquiteoftenconveysomeadviceorcounsel.Inotherwords,mostEnglishproverbspossessphilosophicdepthorinstructivefunction.ForthousandsofyearstheyhavebeeninstructingandinspiringEnglishpeople,sotheyhavebeenregardedastheguidelineofpeople’sthoughtsanddeeds,whichmeansEnglishpeoplearethinkingordoingthingsbyfollowingthedirectionoftheirproverbseitherconsciouslyorunconsciously.Englishproverbshavebecomeanimportantsourcesofinspirationjustbecausetheycontaintruth,wisdom,counsel,ruleofconduct,etc.FollowingwillmentiontwofunctionsofEnglishproverbs.

3.1Thefunctiontoadvise

Someproverbsareintendedtopersuadeandteachpeople.Topersuadeistopraisejustice,tofightagainstthebully.Toteachistoguidepeopletoadoptacorrectattitudetowardslife,totakeaproperwaytogetalongwellwithothers.Forexample,Betterdiewithhonorthanlivewithshame;Don’thavecloaktomakewhenitbeginstorain.Suchproverbssoundveryfirmandresoluteandtheycanstrengthenpeopleconvictionandawakenpeopleconsciousnessoflifeorbettertheirthinkingmethods.Theyareveryhelpfulforpeopletomakedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong,tobeclearaboutwhattoloveandwhattohate.Becausetheyaregoodforpeople’sself-cultivationandtheycancallfordeepthought,manypeopletaketheseproverbsastheirlifemotto.

Someotherproverbsrevealandcriticizethedarksideoftheagesorsociety.Theyattackthedirtypracticesofthesocietysoastoremindpeopletokeepconsciousandmaintainsharpwarning.Forexample,Thefoxchangeshisskin,butnothishabit;Aleopardcannotchangeitsspots.Peopletendtorecitesuchproverbswhentheyaredisclosingtheevilinthesocietyorwhentheyareremindingotherstokeepalert.

3.2Thefunctiontospreadexperiencesandknowledge

Manyproverbssummarizeknowledgeofpeople’sdailylifesuchasThebestwinecomesoutofanoldvessel;Softfiremakessweetmalt.Aspeople’sdailylifeiscomplicatedandextremelytrifling,suchproverbsarenumerous.Theysummarizepeople’sknowledgeintheirlifeandtheytellpeoplewhattodoandhowtodoit.Theyarejustlikeanencyclopediatoguidepeople’sdailylife.Fromthem,peoplemaybroadentheirknowledgeandoutlooksoastoavoidmakingmistakes.Someproverbsofthistypeareconcernedwithaparticularfield,likefarmerproverbsandmeteorologicalproverbs.Peasantsofdifferentages,intheiroveryears’work,practiceandprovethefarmingexperienceandproductiverules.Fromgenerationtogeneration,theysumuptheirexperienceandthefarmingrulesintosomevivid,conciseandlivelysentences.Thesesentencesarefarmerproverbsandtheyarepracticedandtestifiedyearafteryearandtheyhavebeenprovedtrueandaccurate.Theyreflectthepeasants’farmingexperienceandagriculturallawandshowtheworkingpeople’swisdom.Farmerproverbsareapreciousandvaluablepartofagriculturaldata.Peasantsofdifferentageshavesomeofthemasguideintheirfarming.Andmeteorologicalproverbs,whichsummarizethefundamentalmeteorologicalknowledgeofgenerations,arealsoabighelpinpeoplelife.Forexample,AprilshowersbringforthMayflowers;AcoldMayandawindymakesafullbarnandafindy;DryAugustandwarmdoesharvestnoharm;Afairdayinwinteristhemotherofastorm;Amistymorningmayhaveafineday;Cloudymorningsturntocleare

venings.

4.TherhetoricaldevicesofEnglishproverbs

IfwesaythephilosophicorinstructiveaspectofEnglishproverbsisagoodhelptothepeople,thenwecanalsosaythattheartisticoraestheticaspectofEnglishproverbsisaccelerantthatattractspeople’sattentiontomakefulluseofthem.Englishproverbsarealwaysterse,figurativeandwithpleasantsoundeffect,whichmakethemeasytomemorizeandpleasanttoears.FollowingwewilldiscusstherhetoricaldevicesofEnglishproverbs.

4.1Repetition

（1）Soundinbody,soundinmind.

（2）Foolslearnnothingfromwisemen,butwisemenlearnmuchfromfools.

（3）Oneboyisaboy,twoboyshalfaboy,threeboysnoboy.

（4）Awisemanthinksallthathesays;afoolsaysallthathethinks.

Fromtheaboveexamples,wecanfindthattherepeatedwordorideahasareinforcingeffect.Withtherepetitionofthesamewordinclosesuccession,wemaynoticethatthemainpointofthesentencebecomesclear.Itcanalsobeusedtoexpressstrongemotionandgiveusanaestheticfeelingandasenseoflogicalprogressionofideas.21

4.2Phonology

4.2.1Alliteration

（5）Hewhomakesconstantcomplaintsgetslittlecompassion.

（6）Afairfacemayhideafoulheart.

（7）Thefairestflowerssoonestfade.

（8）Timeandtidewaitfornoman.

Fromtheaboveexamples,wecanfindthattheseproverbsarevividwithrhythm.Becauseofrhythm,alliterationisagreathelptomemory.Itcancatchtheattentionofthereadersandmaketheideaimpresseddeeplyonthereaders,sotheproverbsareeasiertoremember.

4.2.2Consonance

（9）Inyouththehoursaregolden,andinmatureyearstheyaresilvern,andinoldagetheyareleaden.

（10）Hopeforthebest,preparefortheworst.

（11）Wherelovefails,weespyallfaults.

Fromtheabove-mentioned,consonancemakestheproverbsmorerhythmicandmoreappealing.Itisalsogoodforsoundrhyme,musicaleffectandsignificantemphasis.

4.2.3Assonance

（12）Wheretheneedlegoes,thethreadfollows.

（13）Whothatinyouth,novirtueuses,inoldallhonorhimrefuses.

（14）Afriendinneedisafriendindeed.

Therepetitionoftheabovevowelproducesmusicalrhythmandsoundeuphony.

4.3Comparison

4.3.1Simile

（15）Marchcomesinlikealionandgoesoutlikealamb.

（16）Truefriendshipislikesoundhealth,thevalueofwhichisseldomknownuntilitbelost.

（17）Alambisasdearasdearastoapoormanasanoxtotherich.

Aswecanseefromtheaboveexamples,simileexplainsabstract,complicatedideasinsimpleandconcreteway.

4.3.2Metaphor

（18）Moneyisagoodservantbutabadmaster.

（19）Knowledgeisatreasurebutpracticeisthekeytoit.

（20）Hopeisthepoorman’sbread.

Aswecanseefromtheaboveexamples,animpliedcomparisonbetweentwodifferentthingsthatshareatleastoneattributeincommon.

4.3.3Metonymy

（21）Alightheartliveslong.

（22）Asoftanswerturnedawaywrath.

（23）Anironhandinavelvetglove.

（24）Aclosemouthcatchesnoflies.

Aswecanseefromtheaboveexamples,unlikesimile,thecomparisoninmetaphorisimplied.Itrequiresgreaterabilityonthepartofthereadertomakeoutthehiddenassociationorinsight,sometaphorisgenerallymorecomplicatedandmoreinvolvedthansimile.Theaboveproverbsenrichandstrengthenthereader’sexistingassociationandbringingaboutgreaterrhetoricaleffectiveness.22

4.4Personification

4.4.1Inanimateobjectspersonalizing

（25）Wallhasears.

（26）Moneymakesthemarego.

（27）Thepotcallsthekettleblack.

4.4.2Animalspersonalizing

（28）Thefoxknewtoomuch,that’showhelosthistail.

（29）Nightingaleswillnotsinginacage.

（30）Thetortoisewinstheracewhilethehareissleeping.

（31）Twosparrowsononeearofcornmakeanillagreement.

4.4.3Plantspersonalizing

（32）Agreattreeattractsthewind.

（33）Asingleflowerdoesnotmakeaspring.

4.4.4Abstractideaspersonalizing

（34）Truthconquersallthings.

（35）Opportunityseldomknockstwice.

（36）Virtuedwellsnotinthetonguebutintheheart.

Intheaboveproverbs,thereareincludingthreepartsofpersonification.Usingpersonificationmakestheproverbsmorevividandmoreattractive.Itcanimpressthereadersdeeply.

4.5Parallel

（37）Inforapenny,inforapound.

（38）Inyouththehoursaregolden,andinmatureyearstheyaresilvern,andinoldagetheyareleaden.

（39）Theleastsaid,thesoonestmended.

Aswecanfromtheabove,parallelstructurecancreateagoodvisualimageandhel

preadersmovequicklyfromoneideatothenext.Parallelismgivesemphasis,charityandcoherenceofideas,anditalsogivestherhythmoftheproverbs.Ithelpsthereaderstocatchtheideaofthespeakersorwritereasilyandpleasantly.23

4.6Synecdoche

（40）Twoheadsarebetterthanone.

（41）Greatmindsthinkalike.

Herethewords“head”and“mind”arebothrepresent“aperson”.

4.7Hyperbole

（42）Athousandyearscannotrepairamoment''''slossofhonor.

（43）Theworldisbutalittleplace,afterall.

（44）Anunfortunatemanwouldedrownedinateacup.

Hyperboleisacommonlyusedasignofgreatemotionasshownintheaboveexamples.Thereisnointenttodeceivethereader,instead,inthespeaker’smindheistrulydescribinghisintensefeelingatthetime.

4.8Pun

（45）Measureyourselfbyyourownfoot.

Heretheword“foot”hastwomeanings:onemeanshuman’heel,theotherisdimensionalunit.Sotheaboveproverbhastwodifferentmeanings,whichcreateapun.

（46）Rueandthymegrowbothinonegarden.

Heretheword“rue”hastwodifferentmeanings:oneisthenameofkingofflower,theothermeansregret.Theword“thyme”andtheword“time”havethesamepronunciations.Thesetworeasonsmakeapun.

5.Conclusion

Proverbsaretheoutcomeoflanguage.Theycomefrompeopleandareusedbypeople.“Proverbs,asaprominentscholaroncesaid“themirrorofanation”and“thelivingfossilofalanguage”,doplayanimportantroleindifferentlanguagesandcultures.InthewordsofFrancisBacon,“theGenius,witandspiritofanationarediscoveredinitsproverbs.””24ThereareavarietyofproverbsalmostallEnglishspeakersarefamiliarwith.Theyregardthesewordsofwisdomwithrespect.

Tosumup,themajorsourcesofEnglishproverbsaretheexperienceofthecommonpeople,literaryworks,religiousscripture,mythology,translatedloans,andhistory.SowecangainsomebasicknowledgeofEnglishculturethroughlearningEnglishproverbs,whichplaysanimportantroleincross-culturalcommunication.Becauseofusingrhetoricaldevicesandrhythmicalways,Englishproverbsarefilledwithimageandvividness,whichcancatchtheattentionofthereadersandmaketheideaimpresseddeeplyonthereaders.Theyalsorevealauniversaltruthfromaparticularpointinordertoenlightenpeople.Soproverbsgivepeopleadviceorwarningsindealingwitheverydayissues,andpointoutthepathtoknowledgeandself-cultivation.

Bibliography

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22同注22,P165

篇2

1、 Happiness lies first of all in health.

幸福首先在于健康。

2、 Cheerfulness is health; its opposite, melancholy, is disease.

欢乐就是健康， 忧郁就是病痛。

3、It is not work that kills, but worry.

工作不损寿， 忧郁才伤身。

4、All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

只工作， 不玩耍， 聪明小伙也变傻。

5、People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness.

没有时间娱乐的人， 迟早得有时间生病。

6、 He is wise that knows when he is well enough.

知足为智者。

7、 He who lives with his memories becomes old. He who lives with plans for the future remains young.

终日怀旧催人老， 计划未来葆青春。

8、 A good conscience is a continual feast.

问心无愧天天乐。

9、An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

一分预防胜过十分治疗。

10、Diet cures more than doctors.

自己饮食有节， 胜过上门求医。

11、It is not work that kills, but worry.

工作不损寿， 忧郁才伤身。

12、People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness.

没有时间娱乐的人， 迟早得有时间生病。 ——J. Wanamaker 沃纳梅克

13、He is wise that knows when he is well enough.

知足为智者。

14、He who lives with his memories becomes old. He who lives with plans for the future remains young.

终日怀旧催人老， 计划未来葆青春。

15、A good conscience is a continual feast.

问心无愧天天乐。

16、An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

一分预防胜过十分治疗。

17、He is happy that thinks himself so.

自乐者常乐。

18、An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

每天一只苹果， 无需医生进门。

19、Better wear out shoes than sheets.

宁愿把鞋子穿漏， 不愿把床单磨破。

20、 Health is not valued till sickness comes.

病时方知健康可贵。

21、Leave off with an appetite.

吃得七分饱， 就该离餐桌。

22、 He who has good health is young, and he is rich who owes nothing.

健康葆青春， 无债即富足。

23、 Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.

欢笑， 则世界与你同乐； 哭泣， 则独自悲伤。

24、 Happy is he who only desires what he may and does what he ought.

不作非分之想又能尽本分的人是快乐的。

25、 There is no greater grief than to recall a time of happiness when in misery.

没有比在悲惨中回忆幸福的时刻更痛苦。 ----Dante 但丁 （意大利诗人）

26、A light heart lives long.（ William Shakespeare, British dramatist ）

豁达者长寿。 （英国剧作家 莎士比亚。 W.）

27、Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears.（Benjamin Franklin, American president）

懒惰像生锈一样，比操劳更能消耗身体。 （美国总统 富兰克林。 B.）

28、The first wealth is health.（ Ralph Waldo Emerson, American thinker ）

健康是人生第一财富。 （美国思想家 爱默生。 R. W.）

29、Walking is man's best medicine.

行走是人的最佳良药。()

篇3

The end justifies the means.只要目的正当，可以不择手段。

The end makes all equal.死亡面前，人人平等。

The eye is bigger than the belly.贪多嚼不烂。

The farthest way about is the nearest way home.抄近路反而绕远路。

Talk of the devil and he will appear.说曹操，曹操就到。

Tall trees catch mUCh wind.树大招风。

Teach others by your example.躬亲示范。

The best hearts are always the bravest.无私者无畏。

The best man stumbles.伟人也有犯错时。

The cat shuts its eyes when stealing.掩耳盗铃。

The danger past and God forgotten.过河拆桥。

The darkest hour is nearest the dawn.黎明前的黑暗。

The darkest place is under the candlestick.烛台底下最暗。

The devil knows many things because he is old.老马识途。

The devil sometimes speaks the truth.魔鬼有时也会说真话。

The die is cast.木已成舟。

The finest diamond must be cut.玉不琢，不成器。

The fire is the test of gold, adversity of strong man.烈火验真金，艰难磨意志。

The first step is the only difficulty.迈出第一步是最艰难的。

The fox knew too much, that”s how he lost his tail.机关算尽太聪明，反误了卿卿性命。

The fox preys farthest from home.兔子不吃窝边草。

The frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean.坐井观天。

The grass is greener on the other side.这山望着那山高。

The greatest talkers are always least doers.语言的巨人总是行动的矮子。

The higher up, the greater the fall.爬得高，摔得惨。

The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts.人言可畏。

The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up.水能载舟，亦能覆舟。

The wise man knows he knows nothing, the fool thinks he knows all.清者自清，浊者自浊。

The wolf has a winning game when the shepherds quarrel.螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后。

The world is a ladder for some to go up and others to go down.世界如阶梯，有人上有人下。

The world is but a little place, after all.海内存知己，天涯若比邻。

Time flies.光阴似箭。

Time is money.时间就是金钱。

Time lost cannot be won again.时光流逝，不可复得。

Time past cannot be called back again.时间不能倒流。

Time tries all.路遥知马力，日久见人心。

Two heads are better than one.一个好汉三个帮。

Two of a trade seldom agree.同行是冤家。

Two wrongs do not make a right.别人错了，不等于你对了.

Think twice before you do.三思而后行。

Things at the worst will mend.否极泰来。

Time and tide wait for no man.时不我待。

Time cures all things.时间是医治一切创伤的良药

The leopard cannot change its spots.本性难移。

The more noble, the more humble.人越高尚，越谦虚。

The more wit, the less courage.初生牛犊不怕虎。

The outsider sees the most of the game.旁观者清。

The pen is mightier than the sWord.笔能杀人。

The pot calls the kettle black.五十步笑百步。

There are spots in the sun.太阳也有黑点。

There are two sides to every question.问题皆有两面。

There is a skeleton in the cupboard.家家有本难念的经。

There is kindness to be found everywhere.人间处处有温情。

There is no general rule without some exception.任何法规均有例外。

There is no medicine against death.没有长生不老药。

There is no place like home.金窝银窝不如咱的狗窝。

There is no royal road to learning.书山有路勤为径，学海无涯苦作舟。

The style is the man.字如其人。

Too much praise is a burden.过多夸奖，反成负担。

To save time is to lengthen life.节约时间就是延长生命。

Touch pitch, and you will be defiled.常在河边走，哪有不湿鞋。

Troubles never come singly.福无双至，祸不单行。

Tit for tat is fair play.人不犯我，我不犯人；人若犯我，我必犯人。

To err is human.人非圣贤，孰能无过。

To know everything is to know nothing.什么都知道，一如什么都不知道。

To know oneself is true progress.人贵有自知之明。

Tomorrow never comes.我生待明日，万事成蹉跎。

Too much familiarity breeds contempt.过分熟悉会使人互不服气。

Too much knowledge makes the head bald.学问太多催人老。

Too much liberty spills all.自由放任，一事无成。

Truth never grows old.真理永存。

Turn over a new leaf.洗心革面，改过自新。

Two dogs strive for a bone, and a third runs away with it.鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利。

篇4

2.Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.主动性就是在没有人告诉时做正确的事情.

3.Think twice before acting.三思而后行.

4.Adversity reveals genius, fortune conceals it.苦难显才华,好运藏天知.

5.The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up.水能载舟,亦能覆舟.

6.Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.宁为鸡头,不为凤尾.

7.A stitch in time saves nine.防微杜渐.

8.Diamond cuts diamond.强中更有强中手.

9.The early bird catches the worm.捷足先登.

10.Whatever you go, go with all your heart.无论做什么事,一定要全力以赴.

11.The good seaman is known in bad weather.惊涛骇浪,方显英雄本色.

12.Where there is life, there is hope.留得青山在,不怕没柴少.

13.All thing are difficult before they are easy.万事开头难.

14.Life is not all roses.人生并不都是康庄大道.

15.Heaven never seals off all the exits.天无绝人之路.

16.Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?有朋自远方来不亦乐乎?

17.Reading is always profitable.开卷有益.

18.A gentleman acts on behalf of an understanding friend, as a woman makes herself beautiful for her lover.士为知己者用,女为说悦己者容.

篇5

1、A big black bug bit a big black bear, made the big black bear bleed blood.

大黑虫咬大黑熊，大黑熊流血了！

2、A big black bug bit a big black bear. Where's the big black bear the big black bug bit?

大黑虫咬大黑熊，被大黑虫咬的大黑熊在那里呢？

3、A bitter biting bittern bit a better brother bittern, and the bitter better bittern bit the bitter biter back. And the bitter bittern, bitten, by the better bitten bittern, said: "I'm a bitter biter bit, alack!"

一只沮丧而尖刻的麻鳽咬了牠兄弟一口，而没有牠那么沮丧的兄弟又咬牠一口。那只被咬的沮丧麻鳽对牠的兄弟说：「我是一只充满怨恨的麻鳽！我害人终害己了！

4、A bloke's back bike brake block broke.

一个家伙的脚踏车后制动器坏了。

5、A box of biscuits, a batch of mixed biscuits.

一盒饼干，一炉杂饼干。

6、A flea and a fly flew up in a flue. Said the flea, "Let us fly!" Said the fly, "Let us flee!" So they flew through a flaw in the flue.

一只跳蚤和一只苍蝇飞进烟道里。跳蚤说：「让我们飞吧！苍蝇说：「让我们逃跑吧！就这样，牠们就飞越了烟道里的一条裂纹。

7、A laurel-crowned clown!

戴桂冠的小丑。

8、A lusty lady loved a lawyer and longed to lure him from his laboratory.

一个精力充沛的女士爱上了一位律师，她渴望诱惑律师离开实验室，投入她的怀抱。

9、A noisy noise annoys an oyster.

嘈吵的噪音惹恼牡蛎。

10、A pleasant place to place a plaice is a place where a plaice is pleased to be placed.

放置鲽最好的地方是鲽愿意被放置的地方。

11、A skunk sat on a stump. The skunk thought the stump stunk, and the stump thought the skunk stunk.

一只臭鼬坐在树墩上，臭鼬认为树墩发臭，而树墩又认为臭鼬发臭。

12、A tidy tiger tied a tie tighter to tidy her tiny tail.

一只老虎将领带系紧，清洁牠的尾巴。

13、A tree toad loved a she-toad who lived up in a tree. He was a two-toed tree toad but a three-toed toad was she. The two-toed tree toad tried to win the three-toed she-toad's heart, for the two-toed tree toad loved the ground that the three-toed tree toad trod. But the two-toed tree toad tried in vain. He couldn't please her whim. From her tree toad bower with her three-toed power the she-toad vetoed him.

一只树蟾蜍爱上另一只住在树上的蟾蜍女郎　…是一只二趾的蟾蜍，而蟾蜍女郎是三趾的。那只二趾的树蟾蜍尝试夺取三趾蟾蜍女郎的方心，因为二趾蟾蜍喜欢三趾蟾蜍女郎所踩踏的土地。可是，二趾蟾蜍徒劳无功　…不能满足三趾蟾蜍女郎的心意。在三趾蟾蜍女郎的卧室，三趾蟾蜍女郎用牠的三趾能力将二趾蟾蜍的念头打消了。

14、A tutor who tooted a flute tried to tutor two tooters to toot. Said the two to their tutor, "Is it harder to toot or to tutor two tooters to toot?"

一个吹笛的导师尝试教两个吹笛者吹笛。那两个学吹笛的问导师：吹笛难，还是教两个学吹笛的人吹笛难呢？

15、All I want is a proper cup of coffee made in a proper copper coffee pot, you can believe it or not, but I just want a cup of coffee in a proper coffee pot. Tin coffee pots or iron coffee pots are of no use to me. If I can't have a proper cup of coffee in a proper copper coffee pot, I'll have a cup of tea!

我只想要一杯用真正铜制的咖啡壶煮的正统咖啡。信不信由你，我只想要一杯用真正铜制的咖啡壶煮的正统咖啡。锡制的咖啡壶和铁制的咖啡壶对我而言也是没用的。假如我不能要一杯用真正铜制的咖啡壶煮的正统咖啡，那我就要一杯茶吧！

16、Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, with stoutest wrists and loudest boasts, he thrusts his fist against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.

在满布薄雾，严寒期最冻的那天，他用最结实的手腕和最自夸的话用拳头猛力推打柱子，而且声称他见鬼。

篇6

关键词：英语谚语；直译；意译；套译

1引言

谚语是对各种生活现象进行综合概括并在群众中广泛流传运用的语言，它同文学作品一样，是语言的精华。它以最简短的形式表示最丰富的内容，语言生动活泼，富有生活气息。不少谚语以形象的比喻阐述事物的发展规律，具有很深的哲理。谚语鲜明的民族特性，一定程度上反映了本民族的文化特点。

英语谚语不仅语句、结构严谨而且隐含着深层的民族文化含义。因此，英语谚语的汉译是将源语文化信息转换成译语文化信息并求得二者相似，也就是说，“英谚汉译已经不仅仅是一种简单的文本间语言层面的语符转换，或是一种机械的复制活动，而是以文化篇章为翻译单位的文化交流行为。”（王宁，2004：110）

2英汉谚语的翻译

谚语在形式上是语义相对完整的固定句子。使用时可作为句子成分，也可作为独立的交际单位，表达完整的意思。“翻译英语谚语时，仅仅以语言之间词汇的同义性（等价性）为前提，寻求对等的表现是不够的。译者须巧夺运用汉语的表现手法，力求能再现英语谚语的语言风格和丰富内涵。”（张培基，1983：157）只有多注意英语谚语字面以外所特有的语言内涵色彩，才能使译文讽喻得当，宜于说理，又不失原来谚语所具有的语言形象。以下从四个方面探求英谚翻译的方法。

21直译法

如果所要翻译的谚语喻义清晰，形象逼真，按其字面直译其意，就能表达出原文的喻义来，则可直译。这样做既能叫完整地保存原文的表达方式，且又可丰富我们自己的语言文化，一举两得。如：

（1）A cat has nine lives猫有九条命。

（2）A good tree is a good shelter大树底下好乘凉。

（3）God helps those who help themselves自助者天助之。

（4）Rome is not built in a day罗马不是一日建成的。

通过直译法而传神翻译的谚语，往往成了英谚作为思想财富进入汉语，并成为汉语借用的基础。

22意译法

有些英语谚语虽然在语言习惯和文化背景方面和其相对的汉语之间存在着某些差异，而且所比喻的事物并不一样，但他们的含义却相互吻合，而且表达方式也很相似，汉译这些英语谚语时采取意译的方法，能够再现原文所具有的语言效果，帮助读者更好地理解原文。“可以避免在某些情况下因直译而引起的拖泥带水，隔靴搔痒，甚至以辞害意，造成误解等等弊病”（曾自立，1983：74）。如：

Don’t put the cart before the horse

cart是“大车，手推车”的意思。在西方国家，马曾经是主要的劳动工具，经常用马拉车驮运货物。将车套在马前，马又如何工作呢？这句话可翻译成“勿本末倒置”。

23直译、意译相结合

有些英语谚语虽然在语言习惯和文化背景方面和其相对的汉语谚语之间存在着某些差异，而且所比喻的事物并不一样，但他们的喻义却相互吻合，而且表达方式也很相似，汉译这些英语谚语时，常常需要“易其形式，存其精神”，即采用直译意译结合的方法。这样同时“弥补了直译难达意、意译难传神的不足，在直译后加上谚语的真实含义，以期达到画龙点睛的效果”（刘季春，1996：203）。如：

（1）First catch your hare先抓到兔子再说，到手的东西才算数。

（2）Cut your coat according to your cloth量布裁衣，量入为出。

（3）Do not kick against the pricks莫踢刺棍，莫作无谓的抵抗。

24套译法

有些英语谚语意在言外，语言含蓄，寓意深刻。如果仅从字面意义直译成汉语，而不领会原文的具体含义及其效果，译文势必平淡无味。这样既不能表达意思，又有损于原文的语言形象和丰富内涵。因此应采用套译，“可使译文更加通顺，另一方面更容易为译文读者理解和接受。”（冯庆华，1995：144）如：

（1）People who live in glass houses should not throw stones

如译成“住在玻璃房子里的人，不应仍石头”，不如译成“己有过，勿正人”或“责人必先责己”。

可以发现，这种套用均属于意译的范畴。因为尽管英汉谚语所表达的意义相同，但双方所使用的形象比喻或修辞色彩等都不相同。因此切忌滥用这种意译式的套用，否则就达不到“洋为中用”的目的，并且还会失去原文的形象比喻和修辞色彩。

另外，套用还有直译式的套用。例如：Strike while the iron is hot（趁热打铁。）Better a glorious death than a shameful life（与其忍辱偷生，不如光荣而死。）但套用时应注意不要用汉语中具有鲜明民族、地方色彩的习语硬套英语的习语，以免把汉语的民族或地方色彩强加到译文中去，以致和原作的上下文形成矛盾。如：Two heads are better than one（一个不及两人智。）就不应套用“三个臭皮匠，胜过诸葛亮”，A new broom sweeps clean（扫帚新，扫得净。）不应套译为“新官上任三把火”。

前文讲述了英谚汉译的四种主要方法。但针对某个具体的英谚，究竟应采用哪种方法呢？这不难回答，直译法是英谚汉译的基本方法，译者最先考虑的应是采用该方法。如果直译不易表达原文的含义，或不易被理解，则应考虑用意译或直译兼意译法。至于那些在中英文化涵义及表达方式上都有着许多共同点的英谚，则适用套用法。如：Give a person a dose of his own medicine（以其人之道还治其人之身。）

3英谚汉译应注意的问题

在翻译英语谚语前，必须充分了解英国的文化背景和风俗习惯，翻译成既要完全表达出原文的含义，又要符合汉语表达习惯的句子，切忌断章取义。例如“Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs”直译为“杀掉会生金蛋的鹅”，但汉语中不说“杀鹅取卵”，喻体不同，因此汉译时须遵循汉语成语的搭配规律。

另外，谚语的翻译要注意语言的艺术性。有些英语谚语常常采用对称的修辞手段，这样能够加强语势，宜于说理。如：“An idle youth，a needy age”译为“少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。”

4结语

综上所述，我们可以看出，谚语是大众智慧的结晶，是经过生活长期积淀和陶冶，才把丰富多彩的内容浓缩在高度洗练的形式之中。在学习使用英语谚语的过程中，可以管窥异国的历史、文化和风情，从而丰富知识，扩大视野。在翻译英语谚语时，译文首先要做到忠实准确地表达原文的意义，保持原文的风格，反映原文的面貌；可区分不同情况，分别采用直译，意译，直、意结合和套译等方法，使译文“善解人意”，自然传神。

参考文献

[1]精选英语谚语300句[M]上海科技教育出版社，1987

[2]刘季春实用翻译教程[M]中山大学出版社，1996

[3]冯庆华实用翻译教程[M]上海：上海外语出版社，1995

[4]世界名言、名谚大全[M]红旗出版社，1983

[5]王宁再论翻译学忠的学科丁伟和文化特征[J]中国翻译，2004

篇7

Two people are of the same mind their sharpness can cut through metal.

二人同心其利断金。

Solidarity means strength.

团结就是力量。

Rice type meters to more, more people to speak out.

稻多打出米来，人多讲出理来。

When everybody adds fuel, the flames rise high.

众人拾柴火焰高。

Much more than a bell sound, much more than a candle light.

多一个铃铛多一声响，多一枝蜡烛多一分光。

Do not drop sea, makes difficult to garland.

滴水不成海，独木难成林。

The collective is the source of power, all is the cradle of wisdom.People together who is strong.

集体是力量的源泉，众人是智慧的摇篮。

With all the force, is unmatched in the world; With all the wisdom, the fearless in sage.

能用众力，则无敌于天下矣;能用众智，则无畏于圣人矣。

A stake with three fence, a good brave fellow three help.

一个篱笆三个桩,一个好汉三个帮。

One boy is a boy; two boys half boy;three boys no boy.

三个和尚没水吃。

Two heads are better than one.

三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮。

Fish from the water, the wild goose can't stray.

鱼不能离水，雁不能离群。

People with one mind will remove Mount Tai.

人心齐，泰山移

Union is strength.

团结就是力量。

For better or for worse.

同甘共苦。

篇8

2、God helps those who help themselves. 天助自助者。

3、Easier said than done. 说起来容易做起来难。

4、Where there is a will,there is a way. 有志者事竟成。

5、One false step will make a great difference. 失之毫厘，谬之千里。

6、Slow and steady wins the race. 稳扎稳打无往而不胜。

7、A fall into the pit,a gain in your wit. 吃一堑，长一智。

8、Experience is the mother of wisdom. 实践出真知。

篇9

Maidens should (or must) be mild and meek, swift to hear and slow to speak. 少女应温良谦恭，敏于听而慎于言。

Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can. 尽力而为，尽力节约，尽力施舍。

Make haste slowly. 从容赶急。

Make hay while the sun shines. 趁热打铁。

Make the best of a bad business (or job or bargain) 身处山穷水尽，力争柳暗花明。

Make the night night, and the day day, and you will have a pleasant time of it. 白天当白天，夜晚当夜晚，生活过得好，愉快而多欢。

Make your enemy your friend. 要化敌为友。

Make yourself necessary to someone. 使你有益于人。

Man alone is born crying, lives complaining, and dies disappointed. 只有人，生下时啼哭，活著时抱怨，去世时失望。

Man has not a greater enemy than himself. 人之大敌，自己而已。

Man is a tool-using animal. 人是用器之兽。

Man is mortal. 人生谁无死。

Man is not the creature of circumstances; circumstances are the creature of man. 并非时势造人，而是人造时势。

Man is the artificer of his own happiness. 人之幸福，自己创造。

Manners make the man. 礼貌造就人。

Man proposes, God disposes. 谋事在天，成事在人。

Man''s best plans often miscrarry. 神机妙算，常常失算。

Man''s best possession is a loving wife. 男人最可贵的是有一个贤淑的妻子。

Man will conquer nature. 人定胜天。

Many a fine dish has nothing on it. 虚有其表。

Many a flower is born to blush unseen. 有许多花儿生来就开著没有人欣赏。

Many a good cow hath a bad calf. 虎父生犬子。

Many a good father hath but a bad son. 好父亲偏生不肖子。

Many a little (or pickle) makes a mickle. 积少成多。

Many ants kill the horse. 蚁多可杀马。

Many a true word is spoken in jest. 戏言寓真理。

Many dishes, many diseases. 多吃多病。

Many drops makes a shower. 积少成多。

Many great men have arisen from humble beginnings. 有许多伟人出身卑微。

Many hands are better than one. 众擎易举。

Many hands make a burden lighter. 众擎易举。

Many hands make light (or quick) work. 人多活儿轻。

Many have suffered for talking, none ever suffered for keeping silence. 多言吃苦，缄默少祸。

Many heads are better than one. 集思广益。

Many kiss the baby for the nurse''s sake. 醉翁之意不在酒。

Many men, many minds. 人多意见多。

Many one says well that thinks ill. 口蜜腹剑者不乏其人。

Many receive advice only the wise profit by it. 聆忠言者众，智者独获益。

Many sands will sink a ship. 积沙沈船。

Many straws may bind an elephant. 草多可缚象。

Many wells, many buckets. 井多吊桶也多。

Many words cut (or hurt) more than swords. 恶语伤人胜刀见。

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. 三月来如雄狮，去如绵羊。

篇10

1、a strong man will struggle with the storms of fate.

强者能同命运的风暴抗争。

2、cease to struggle and you cease to live.

生命不止，奋斗不息。

3、nothing seeks, nothing finds.

无所求则无所获。

4、i succeeded because i willed it; i never hesitated.

我成功是因为我有决心，从不踌躇。

5、if you should put even a little on a little, and should do this often, soon this too would become big.

伟大的事业是通过不懈努力，一砖一瓦堆起来的。

6、for all pain helps to make us rise, however much we may hate it at the time.

一切痛苦都有助于我们奋发向上，不论我们当时是多么憎恨它。

7、it's better to have fought and lost, than never to have fought at all.

奋战过而失败，强于根本未战。

8、nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets his mind on it.

世上无难事，只怕有心人。

9、a man can succeed at almost anything for which he was unlimited enthusiasm.

只要有无限的热情，一个人几乎可以在任何事情上取得成功。

10、all that you do, do with your might; things done by halves are never done right.

做一切事情都应尽力而为，不可半途而废。

11、prosperity is not without many fears and disasters; adversity is not without comforts and hopes.

幸运中并非不掺杂各种担心与烦恼，而厄运中也并非不存在欣慰与期望。

12、gods determine what you're going to be.

人生的奋斗目标决定你将成为怎样的人。

13、on life's earnest battle they only prevail, who daily march onward and never say fail.

生活在顽强战斗中，只有每天不屈不挠奋勇向前的人才能取得胜利。

14、meet success like a gentleman and disaster like a man.

优雅地迎接成功，勇敢地面对挫折。

15、energy and persistence conquer all things.

能量加毅力可以征服一切。

16、no road of flowers leads to glory.

没有一条通往光荣的道路是铺满鲜花的。

17、our destiny offers not the cup of despair, but the chalice of opportunity.

命运给予我们的不是失望之酒，而是机会之杯。

18、man errs so long as he strives.

人只要奋斗就会犯错误。

19、only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly ever acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.

只有有耐心圆满完成简单工作的人，才能够轻而易举地完成困难的事。

20、fortune shows her power when there is no wise preparation for resisting her.

没有向命运抗争的明智准备，命运便会显示其威力。

21、great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.

大业成于百折不挠，不论力量大小。

22、genius only means hard-working all one's life.

天才只意味着终身不懈的努力。

23、pursue your object, be it what it will, steadily and indefatigably.

不管追求什么目标，都应坚持不懈。

24、a man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.

一个人可以失败很多次，但是只要他没有开始责怪旁人，他还不是一个失败者。

25、none is of freedom or of life deserving unless he daily conquers it anew.

只有每天再度战胜生活并夺取自由的人，才配享受生活的自由。

26、failure is the mother of success.

失败乃成功之母。()