第一篇：张伟伟英语习语与英国文化的反映
English Idioms–a Mirror Reflecting English Culture
Acknowledgements First and formost,Many people have made invaluable contributions, both directly and indirectly to my research.I would like to express my warmest gratitude to Mrs.Zhang, my supervisor, for his instructive suggestions and valuable comments on the writing of this thesis.Without his invaluable help and generous encouragement, the present thesis would not have been accomplished.Secondly, I wish to thank my classmates, who helped me to find necessary materials.These materials they give me are useful to me.What's more, I wish to say “Thanks!” to the 100 subjects in this study for providing me chances to do the empirical study.The last but not least, my thanks would also go to my beloved parents and old brother for their boundless love and whole-hearted support over all these past years.Without their help, I can’t finish my paper in my university.I am extremely thankful to all of them..摘要
每种语言都离不开习语，习语是一个词或一组单词。英语习语来自英语国家的文化和日常生活，作为英语语言的精华，它是反映英国文化的一面镜子。习语的主要功能是说明发生了什么，说了什么。它是一种惯用表达式，弥漫英语特有的风味，且形式各样，充满了明亮和鲜艳的特征。这些习语使得学习者非常的兴奋且有趣，现在常用的英语习语大约有4000多种。不同的语言反映出该民族的地域、经济发展、风土人情和社会习俗。语言反映社会文化，同时又受社会文化的制约。语言中的词汇与民族文化息息相关，而词汇中习语(idiom)的发展和变化，反映了使用这种语言的民族发展。
本文将先探讨英语习语的产生和来源，然后结合英语习语的特征，选取一些有代表性的例子来阐述英语习语中的英国文化内涵。从而得出习语是一种惯用表达方式，弥漫着英语特有的风味。习语是文化的一面镜子,映射着本土文化的发展历程。
关键词：英语习语，英国文化，特征，内涵，反映
Abstract Every language is inseparable from the idioms, which is a word or a phrase.English idioms root in English countries culture and daily life.As the essence of English language, it is a mirror of British culture.The main function of Idioms is to explain what had happened, and what had said.It is a kind of idiomatic expressions, diffuse English unique flavor and varied, full of bright and vivid characteristics.Learners become interested and excited because of these idioms which are about more than 4000 common English idioms.Different language reflects the national geographic,econimic development,local conditions and customs,and social customs.Language reflects social culture.At the same time, social culture restricts language.Language of words is closely related to culture, and idioms in vocabulary development and change reflects the development of ethnic groups to use the language.So this article mainly discusses the relationship between idioms and culture.At first I explore the formation of English idioms and source, and combining with the characteristics of English idioms, choosing some representative examples to illustrate the British cultural connotation in English idioms.From these results, we can conclude that English is a kind of idiomatic expressions,filled with the unique flavor of English.Idioms is a mirror of culture, the mapping with the development of local culture.Key words: English idiom，English culture，characters，connotation，reflect。
Contents.I.Introduction
1.1research background…………………………………………………......1.2significance of this papers…………………………………………….....II.the definition and characteristics of English idioms 2.1the definition of English idioms…………………………………................2.2the definition of English culture……………………………………….....2.3idiom characteristics……………………………………………………..2.3.1What’s the unity of semantic in English idioms…………….........2.3.2What’s the convention of English idioms ………......................2.3.3What’s the stability of English idioms structure ………….........II.the sources of English idioms in English culture…………………………........3.1Idioms drive from literature works in English culture ………… 3.2Idioms drive from the bible in English culture…………………… 3.3Idioms drive from anecdotes of eminent people in English culture...3.4Idioms drive from customs in English culture…………………… III English Idioms–a Mirror Reflecting English Culture 4.1English idioms and life background…………………………........4.2English idiomsreflect holiday taboos and food.................................4.3English idioms and national customs...............................................4.4English idioms and religious belief...................................4.5English idioms and geographical conditions.....................V Conclusion………………………………………………………………
Bibliography…………………………………………………………
English Idioms–a Mirror Reflecting English Culture I Introduction
1.1research background Language is the carrier of culture, every language contains certain idioms, and these idioms are the culture accumulation.May be a word, a phrase or a sentence, to some extent, implied meaning, so it is with English idioms.English idioms come from the national daily life;it is the social phenomenon of the mapping.And English idioms contains the rich cultural information from the spoken language as the special ingredient in language and the language of the classic extracted essence.These idioms with unique image and deep implication shows a country’s historical culture,costoms,local conditions and customs and life experience from the side view.Therefore,mastering the cultural connotation of English idioms is an important way to learn English well.Such as Pandora’s box means the source of evil.On the carpet means under consideration.According to these idioms, we cannot understand the real meaning, just the denotation.Anyway, to understand the meaning, we must know the British culture, idioms and so on.In a word, English idioms are a mirror of British culture.1.2significance of this paper English is a very flexible language.On the one hand, English learners in the process of using English, constantly accumulating vocabulary, ceaselessly creating new words, making its own more flexible to express.On the other hand, with the development of the era, some prevalent words are been joined in the idioms, which becomes more diverse.Idioms as the essence of English, from daily life and culture of English countries, mainly tells us what happened at the time, say something.All kinds of idioms can help learners understand the British customs, religious beliefs and life style which can make a better understanding.Familiar with idioms is of certain significance in cultural studies.II.the definition and characteristics of English idioms
2.1 the definition of English idioms
An idiom language is the carrier of culture and idioms is the essence of language.The idioms generally refers to those commonly used together and it has a special form of the phrases.Its implied meaning is often not only a single word from the phrase.Idioms usually include idioms, saying，motto, a two part allegorical saying, proverb, slang, jargon, etc.The form of syllables, graceful, temperament coordination, or subtle humor, or serious and elegant, concise, vivid, interesting, giving a person a kind of beautiful enjoyment.Idioms are the essence of language;it has strong national colors and distinctive cultural connotations.2.2 the definition of English culture Generally speaking，culture refers to the human in the process of social and historical practice created by the sum total of spiritual civilization and material civilization.It includes knowledge, belief, religion, art, morals, laws, custom, etc.It is communicated, recorded, reflected through the form of language.It is the language, the content of the text carries and writing the foundation of the existence and development in writing.Without culture, language will be not exited.In turn，without language，tradition，culture continuation and development will be restricted.In a word, language, words and idioms is a part of the culture which records specific historical and cultural content.2.3 idiom characteristics Idioms are an active and fun part in English vocabulary and high utilization rate in oral English.Its use is both humorous and funny to make the language and the article strange color.It is characterized by unity, conventional and finalizes the design.2.3.1 What’s the unity of semantic in English idioms The unity of the idiom refers to the semantic idioms to use features as a complete unit.Although idioms have the form of word, phrase, phrases, sentences, they cannot be separated between various components of the word and the word in isolation and interception.From another perspective, the meaning of idioms is not a simple superposition of each meaning.Such as;be under the weather;kill two birds with one stone;beat generation;on the carpet.If we change the preposition in these phrase,we will get another meaning not this meaning.he most obvious is that in the hospital.In the hospital means you are just at the hospital not be ill.And in hospital means you are illness.So we should pay attention to its unity, avoiding the peer and taken out of context in the process of understanding the use of idioms.2.3.2 What’s the convention of English idioms An idiom convention refers to idioms are widely used by the people of British and America, and has a wide range of social basis and the features of strong vitality.Such as pour cats and dogs;cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face;play cards close to one’s chest;bill and coo;a friend in need is a friend in deed;the lions share.Although some idioms have become a cliché, some have lost their specific cultural atmosphere, but because they are in the life of people has become a unique meaning, it is still widely used.2.3.3 What’s the stability of English idioms structure Idioms constancy is called as idioms stationary, and its words, form and structure are fixed and cannot be changed, replacement.Even the synonyms or replacement from the other point of view is legitimate.For example, you cannot write “rain cats and dogs” as “rain a cat and a dog”.In the other words, any one part of idioms are fixed, not change and replace, otherwise it can appear wordiness or far from the original meaning , is widely divergent, even to cay.II the sources of English idioms British and American countries is based on Christian culture and the Hebrew culture background generated under the condition of idioms in the great degree also has strong religious color, rich after it comes mainly from the root of the idioms: literary classics, Greek and Roman myths and legends, classical fables, historical events, celebrity anecdotes, fashion, sports entertainment, hunting, sailing in daily life.Such as content, all-encompassing, involving every aspect of life.Idioms are hard to understand the fundamental reason is that it itself has rich unique local cultural color.Through the national traditional cultural background, ideology and customs to get to know and learn the idioms which is the key to learn English idioms.3.1Idioms drive from Literature works sources People appreciate literature works and can cause intense sympathetic chord.For example: idioms implied meaning the source.“Screw one’s courage” means muster up courage.The sentence comes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, as long as you put all the courage, we will never fail you.“Man Friday’’ means “good servants’’, but bad right-hand man.“Pound of flesh’’ means reasonable but unreasonable demands.3.2 Idioms drive from the Bible in English culture God made man is the western inherent idea as the legend of the hand that mends and British and American think that god is almighty and sacred.There are a lot of idioms in Bible.For example: “doubting Thomas”.It drives from the twentieth chapter of <
4.2English idioms reflect holiday taboos and food English language in western countries can be reflected by the proverb language taboos:say no ill of the year till it be past.(You don’t speak ill of the year to others untill the end of this year)Chiristmas is a festival day in western.The taboos is linked to the Christmas pudding.Most of westerners think that shaking the pudding can get the best wishes in the coming year.Therefore,when people make the Christmas pudding,and each member of the family wishes a dream ,they think the dream will come ture in the future.But they must remember that don’t talk your wishes to others.Otherwise, it will not come ture.The British people taboo number 13.The Judas of Jesus’ disciple betrayed Jesus just because of 30 pieces of silver.At last, Jesus was crucified on the cross according to the legend.The famous Italian painter Vinci created a famous painting Last Supper.He depicted that they had a supper on the eve of betrayed Jesus’day.And the last one was Judas.So western people taboo number13 from then on.Also,food plays the most important role in people’s daily life.Each nation its geographical position and natural environment is different ,so its survival condition is different,too.Different living conditions have different eating habits.This will leave a mark in the human language development.At the same time,it provides a lot of materials for native language development.According to the practice of western countries,the main food for Christmas are :roast goose;pudding;golden butter cookies and fruit cookies.Easter Egg and Easter Bunny is a symble of Easter Day.Fig is a common fruit in Easter.People often make all sorts of fig sweets,pudding and pie.So East day is also fig day.The egg is a symbol of fertility and new life.eg They have eggs on the spit.It means they are busy now.Turkey is a traditional food of Thanksgiving which is like Chinese Mid-Autumn festival moon cakes.Every family can eat Turkey on this day.Other traditional Thanksgiving food is sweet potato,pumpkin bread,jam,etc.Eg cold turkey ,talk turkey, as poor as job’s turkey.If you have a dream, but you don’t come ture it.So you can say:The pumpkin has not turned into best coach.4.3English idioms and national custom National customs is a kind of traditional ways which is accepted and appreciated by most people.The national customs of idioms have thick life breath and distinctive national characteristics.We can see it from the British people eating customs.It had a great effect on the English language.The British daily life of the main food is bread,milk,butter and cheese.The British people also formed a unique diet.These are reflected in idioms.eg“Bread is the stuff of life”.(民以食为天)。“eat one’s heat out”(伤心欲绝，神魂颠倒)“ They asked some bread-and-butter questions”（他们问了几个很普通的问题）“eat one’s bread”(养家糊口)In addition,Apple-pie is the traditional food in British.Some women in British used to bake seven apple-pie at the beginning of every week and they put them in emissions on the shelf.They will eat one a day.So apple-pie means in an orderly way.4.4English idioms and religious belief Religion has a great influence on human society as a kind of social ideology.It plays a important role in western thought, art,culture,language and life.It also has inestimable influence on the development of langugage.Among them, the Bible has been regarded as the classic of western culture.eg “figure on the wall” It means bad news.Some people say that the Bible had deep influence on people’s spiritual life.They draw cross on their chest,and will say god bless me.If they want to curse someone, they will say god damn you.If they don’t understand you,they will say got knows.We can see that god pays a important role in British people’s mind.They think god make people all over the world.So they often use god to mean something on their daily life.4.5English idioms and geographical conditions The formation of idioms and the living of people closely related to the geographical location and living surrounding environment.At the same time,It also greatly affect the formation and development of the culture.British seagirt geographical position make the British maritime transportation industry to become the important way of Britain.It also has a great influence on the formation of the English language and has resulted in a emerged a large number of English idioms which related to this idioms.eg a drop in the ocean;between the devil and deep sea;miss the boat;Britain’s fisheries in the world occupies an important position in the UK economy.So they leave a lot of idioms related to fisheries for English.eg big fish;cool fish;dull fish;a queer fish.If you want to express that father is bad boy and his son is also a bad boy.You can say :“Fish begins to stink with its head.” When they want to deal with somthing, they will say : “They have another fish to fry.”
The above analysis shows that language is linked to geographical environment.In addition,the specific geography will also be reflected in idioms.Thames plays the role of a gather sufficient weight in the history of Britain.If a person can set the Thamas on fire,he must be the best one.V.Conclusion The famous foreign language educators Wang Zuo Liang said:“If you don’t understand the language of the social culture,no one can really master language”.English idioms have fixity on the structure and have unity in the semantic.English idioms have a pround meaning and rich cultural connotation.To really understand the mastery and use of English idioms,we must study the sources of idioms and understand the social culture.English Idioms’meaning is not only the word meaning, but also every idioms has their own social culture.In process of learning English, we must consciously accumulate idioms’background knowledge in order to improve the ability of language.In a word,English idioms is a product of English culture.They have special cultural meaning.language is always changing in different ways.They are English culture unique characteristics,with a rich cultural meaning.English language is the same as English usage.No matter in theory or in practice, learning culture of English idioms,we must take English idioms into consideration.They are the drops of water in the ocean of English culture.In the pursuit of English culture,English idioms is very charming in the world.If you have not deep understanding,you will can’t learn English well.As someone said in the book,“no idioms ,language would be dull and dry,and proper use in our speech and writing,increases dynamics and vivid language’’ as a result, in the hand of English,need to cherish the crystallization of the language and use it well.We should have a nice mind in learning it.Bibliography
[1]A.Johnson.Common English Proverbs.Longman, 1971 [2]IvorH.Evans.Brewer’sDictionaryofPhrase&Fable Revised London.1981 [3]Longman Dictionary of English Idioms.1979
[4] Fernando, Chitra.1996.Idioms and Idiomaticity [M].Oxford University Press [5] Gibbs, R.W.1985.On the process of understanding idioms [J].Journal ofPsycholinguistic Research, 14 : 465～472 [6]平洪、张国扬：英语习语与英美文化[M].胡文仲, 主编.北京外语教学与研究出版社,1999。
[7]游桂兰：英语习语与历史发展[J].高等函授学报,2003,16(1)。[8]王学英、张会：汉英英汉习语大全[M].清华大学出版社, 2005.[9]姜子昌.从习语看英美文化[J].兴义民族师范学院，201 0，(4).[10]胡文仲,英美文化辞典〔Z],北京:外语教学与研究出版社,1995
第二篇：英语习语与英美文化研究
英语习语与英美文化研究
英语习语向来被看作是英语词汇中最活跃的一个组成部分。它以其精练、短小、幽默、风趣且富于哲理性的特征而广泛地被英、美国家的人们所接受并被广泛应用于人们的日常生活交际、报刊、杂志以及电视广播媒体之中。作为传承、记载文化与语言的基本工具之一,它在英、美国家人们的日常生活中起着举足轻重的作用。但是,从另一个角度而言,习语的产生与存在是受孕育其特有的历史文化背景所制约,并在一定程度上折射特定地域、特定历史时期、特定民族所特有的民俗民风等文化信息,所以习语本身具有一定的文化内涵。在认识习语的过程中如果抛开特定的文化背景而孤立地看待习语的存在与含义,往往会觉得它在文章或语言中的含义晦涩难懂,从而影响对其传达信息的接受。
一、语言、习语和文化的关系
语言本身属于文化范畴,它的基本构造单位是词,并且通过词来记载并反映特定地域、特定历史条件下、乃至整个人类历史产生、发展的文化内容。概括地讲,文化是指人类在社会历史实践过程中所创造的精神文明和物质文明的总和。它通过语言文字的形式被传承、传达、记载、反映出来。它是语言、文字承载的内容,是语言、文字存在与发展的基础。没有文化,就不存在语言,反过来,没有语言文字的承载与传承,文化的延续与发展就会受到限制。无论从广义上讲还是从狭义上讲,都不难看出语言属于文化的范畴。作为文化的一个组成部分,它不可避免地时时刻刻反映该文化的特点。
习语就是语言使用者长期以来习用的、形式简洁而意思精辟的定型短语或短句。英语习语是在英、美传统文化土壤中形成并被历代传承下来的英语词汇的一个组成部分,它以幽默、风趣的笔调来记载、传承、反映、考证,甚至可以重现英、美国家的民族文化(传统的民族价值观、世界观、民俗民风、宗教、民族心理文化等)。由于它的产生受特定的地域文化色彩的限制,且蕴涵有丰富的文化信息,所以对于习语的认识往往不能只从其各个组成部分来推断。例如,习语Pandora’sbox字面含义是“潘多拉的盒子”,实际意义是“灾祸之源”;Castsheep’
seyestosomeone不是“向某人投羊眼”,而是“向某人递秋波”。
由以上词组看出,尽管对习语中的每个词词义人们都非常熟悉,但是如果单单从字面的简单叠加来理解习语的深层含义或真正的引申含义却是走不通的,甚至会与原意相去甚远、大相径庭。
二、习语的特征
习语是英语词汇中最活跃且富于趣味性的一个组成部分,也是口语中使用率较高的语言部分。它的使用既幽默又风趣,从而为使语言、文章增辉添色。它包括成语、歇后语、谚语等。习语反映出文化对语言的巨大影响,习语是人的智慧的表现。它的特征是:完整性、习用性和定型性。
(一)习语的完整性。
习语的完整性是指习语作为一个完整的语义单位来运用的特性。虽然,习语的形式有词、词组、短语、句子,但是它的各个组成部分即词与词之间是紧密联系且不可分割,也不能被孤立地分开、截取使用的。从另一个角度来讲,习语的含义.并不是简单的各个词义的叠加。如,be/feelundertheweather(感觉不舒服/生病);killtwobirdswithonestone(一石两鸟);
beatgeneration(迷惘的一代);onthecarpet(受训斥)。所以在认
识使用习语的过程中应该注意其完整性,避免望文生义和断章取义。
(二)习语的习用性。
习语的习用性是指习语广泛地被英、美国家人民所沿用,且具有广泛的社会基础和强大的生命力的特征。如,pourcatsanddogs(倾盆大雨),billandcoo(说情话),afriendinneedisa friendindeed(患难见真交),thelion’sshare(最大的份额)。虽
然有些习语已经成为陈词滥曲,有些也失去了它们存在的特定的文化氛围,但是由于它们在人们的生活中已经成为一个特有的含义,至今仍得到人们的普遍使用。
(三)习语的定型性。
习语的定型性又称为习语的固定性,与中国汉语的成语一样,它的词、形式、结构都是固定的,不能被更改、替换。即
使是同义词,或者说替换后从其它角度讲是合法的也不行。例如,不能把
raincatsanddogs(倾盆大雨)改成rainsdogsandcats或rainacatandadog等形式。也就是说习语中的任何一
个组成部分都是固定,不容更改与替换的,否则会出现词不达意或与原义相去甚远、大相径庭,甚至啼笑皆非的结果。例如,outofquestion(毫不疑问)与outofthequestion(不可能)等。但是习语的影响有时是非常大的,在实际生活当中,为了增强文章或者语言的幽默与趣味性,人们又常常创造一些来自于习语又有别于习语的仿化习语。
如,afriendinneedisafriendtobeavoided(处于危险中的朋友是为众人所躲避的朋友)来自afriendinneedisafriendindeed(患难见真交)。
三、习语的来源
英、美国家是以基督教文化、希伯来文化为基础背景文化的国家,在这样的文化背景条件下生成的习语在很大程度上也富含有浓郁的宗教色彩,追其根源看习语它主要来源于:文学名著(其中以莎士比亚作品及其他英、美文学名著居多)、希腊、罗马神话传说、古典寓言故事、历史事件、名人轶事、风尚习俗、体育娱乐、航海狩猎、农业、日常生活、动物习性等其内容,包罗万象,涉及生活的方方面面。习语之所以难懂的根本原因就在于它本身具有浓郁的独特的地域民族文化色彩。透过英、美国家的传统文化背景、思想观念、地理文化环境、民俗民风即习语的来源与出处,来认识和学习习语是突破习语学习的关键所在。
(一)文学名著。
在众多的脍炙人口的西方文学名著被人们所欣赏、称赞的同时,名著中一些能引起人们共鸣的部分中的经典词语与短语、句子逐渐被定型下来演化成为具有特定内涵从而可以独立来运用。例如,manFriday出自《鲁滨逊漂流记》,现指“忠仆,得力助
手”,pondofflesh是莎士比亚《威尼斯商人》的名句,意思是合情但悖于情理的要求。
(二)圣经故事。
上帝造人的传说是西方人固有的观念,就如同中国女娲
精辟的定型短语或短句。英语习语是在英、美传统文化土壤中形成并被历代传承下来的英语词汇的一个组成部分,它以幽默、风趣的笔调来记载、传承、反映、考证,甚至可以重现英、美国家的民族文化(传统的民族价值观、世界观、民俗民风、宗教、民族心理文化等)。由于它的产生受特定的地域文化色彩的限制,且蕴涵有丰富的文化信息,所以对于习语的认识往往不能只从其各个组成部分来推断。例如,习语Pandora’sbox字面含义是“潘多拉的盒子”,实际意义是“灾祸之源”;Castsheep’
seyestosomeone不是“向某人投羊眼”,而是“向某人递秋波”。
由以上词组看出,尽管对习语中的每个词词义人们都非常熟悉,但是如果单单从字面的简单叠加来理解习语的深层含义或真正的引申含义却是走不通的,甚至会与原意相去甚远、大相径庭。
观念等。
1、价值观念。“个人主义”是西方国家一贯崇尚的价值观
念,他们重视并把个人的利益放在首位,认为人自身的价值是至高无上、不容侵犯的,不容任何其它外来的因素以任何方式干涉或阻挠个人的发展。
2、民族所特有的喜好和禁忌。从习语的内涵的角度观察
英、美民族所特有的喜好、禁忌等知识也是非常显见的。从习语aswiseasowls中我们可以看出西方人对于猫头鹰所特有的喜爱程度。在西方国家猫头鹰被看作是智慧睿智的一种动物,在引进的英、美卡通片中猫头鹰常常是以行为稳健、举止慎重、德高望重且受人尊敬的带着眼镜的老学究的形象展现在观众的面前,从而显现出西方人士对于在中国这一因为叫声难听而被认为是不祥之物,进而产生厌恶感的动物所有的完全相反的观念。
每个民族文化背景的不同,他们的忌讳也是有差别的。英、美国家人民因受其特有的文化背景的影响,通过习语表现出它特有的民族禁忌。如:在西方,人们非常忌讳13这个数 字,从人们熟悉的圣经故事中,我们知道Judas’skiss(元凶),是犹大出卖了耶稣,他是最后的晚餐中的第13个人,因此,在西方国家饭店没有第13层、第13号房间,请客避免请13个人。从本质上讲,所有的禁忌都反映出人民期望平安、好运、消灾免难的文化心理特色。
3、教育观念。习语cutmother’sapronstrings(摆脱对母亲的依赖),向我们展现的是西方传统的教育观念的一个侧面,西方人注重从小培养孩子的独立精神和自我动手的能力;对孩子的管教,很少用“棍棒式”,而是多采用说服教育的方法让孩子较早地接触社会,而处在青春期的孩子们受传统教育观念的影响这时也强烈要求独立。
(三)宗教哲学。
习语“inone’selement”
(在适当或满意的环境中),这里蕴涵着英国中世纪的哲学观点。中世纪的哲学家认为:土(earth)、风(air)、水(water)、火(fire)是构成宇宙中一切物质的四大要素
(thefourelements),每种生物都与这四大要素之一有关,它们是生活场所和生活环境所不可缺少的。Intheseventhheaven(在极乐世界)是有宗教含义的习语,中国古代神话传说 中的天有九层,而伊斯兰信徒认为天有七层,七层是最高的地
方,上帝与天使住在那里。Godthefather(上帝圣父),基督教相信上帝只有一个,但包括三个位格(persons)godthefather(上帝圣父),godtheson(上帝圣子),godtheHolyghost(上帝圣灵)。
另外,在认识英、美习语的同时,还可以考证英、美历史民族文化中各民族特定时期的服饰文化艺术:havesomethingup/inone’ssleeve(留了一手、留有锦囊妙计)记载了15世
纪的服饰内容(15世纪是西方服饰史中哥特式服装盛行的时代,服装宽大、奢侈,服装上没有口袋,人们可以把文字写袖口上以免忘记),giveupone’sloins(准备旅行),loin是古代男子的腰衣,古时犹太人穿的衣服比较宽松,外出旅行或干活时总要在腰间系上一根带子,故此词语比喻准备旅行。而大量的外来习语则显示了英、美文化在发展与成长的过程中不断于外界环
境文化相互交流、融合的特征。
五、结束语
综上所述,英语习语是在英、美国家的特定的历史文化背景条件下产生并延续下来的,它本身是英、美文化的重要组成部分,它起着记载、传承历史文化的作用,反映其民族丰富多彩的民族文化内涵,是考证历史文化的一个基石,并且在人们的现实生活中富有积极的作用。
参考文献:
[1]平洪,张国扬.英语习语与英美文化[M].北京:外语教学与研
究出版社,2002
[2]汪榕培.英语词汇探胜[M].上海:上海外语教育出版社,1999[3]蒋坚松,黄振定.语言与翻译研究[M].北京:中国社会科学出
版社,2000
[4]刘新桂,王国富.英国成语典故大辞典[Z].北京:科学出版社,1994
[5]谢建平.文化翻译与文化“传真”[J].中国翻译,2001(5)
第三篇：与动物有关的英语习语
与动物有关的英语习语
1.Bird(1)Kill two birds with one stone.一箭双雕；一举两得。
(2)A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.双鸟在林不如一鸟在手。(3)Birds of a feather flock together.物以类聚，人以群分。(4)It’s an ill bird that fouls own nest.家丑不可外扬。(5)Fine feathers make fine birds.人要衣装，马要鞍。
(6)A bird is known by its note, and a man by his talk.听音识鸟，闻言识人。
(7)Each bird loves to hear himself sing.鸟儿都爱听自己唱。（自我欣赏）
(8)You cannot catch old birds with chaff.(粗糠).用粗糠捉不住老鸟。（有经验的人难骗。）
(9)Birds in their little nests agree.同巢之鸟心儿齐。2.Cat(1)A cat has nine lives.猫有九条命；吉人天相。(2)Cats hide their claws.知人知面不知心。
(3)All cats are grey in the dark..黑暗之中猫都是灰色的。（人未出名时看起来都差不多。）
(4)A gloved cat catches no mice.戴手套的猫，老鼠抓不到。（不愿吃苦的人成不了大事业。）
(5)When the weasel and the cat make a marriage, it is a very ill presage.黄鼠狼和猫结亲，不是好事情。）
(6)Who will bowl the cat? 谁去给猫系铃？（谁愿意为大家冒风险？）(7)The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.猫偷吃奶油的时候总是闭着眼睛。（掩耳盗铃）
(8)There are more ways of killing a cat than by choking it with butter.杀猫的办法很多。（达到目的的途径很多。）(9)Care kill a cat.忧虑愁死猫。
猫披老虎皮Cat wearing tiger-skin——抖威风shaking down to size 猫肚子放虎胆Cat belly Tiger tank——凶不起来tough up 猫守鼠洞at guarding the rat holes——不动声色without batting an eyelid 猫不吃死耗子Cats do not eat dead mouse——假斯文shedding Sven 猫嘴里的老鼠The cat in the mouth of the mouse——跑不了 not run away 猫捉老鼠CAT clutchs the mouse——本分事this thing 3.Chicken(1)Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.鸡蛋未孵出，先别数小鸡。（不要过早乐观。）4.Crow(1)A crow is never the whiter for washing herself often.江山易改，本性难移。5.Dog(1)He who would hang his dog gives out first that it is mad.欲加之罪，何患无词.(2)A staff is quickly found to beat a dog with.欲加之罪，何患无词.(3)Love me, love my dog.爱屋及乌.(4)Too much pudding will choke a dog.布丁太多噎死狗。(5)Every dog has his day.人人皆有得意时。
(6)Barking dogs don’t(seldom)bite.爱叫的狗很少咬人。(7)Let sleeping dogs lie.勿惹事生非。(8)Dead dogs bite not.死狗不咬人。
(9)All are not thieves that dogs bark at.狗见了叫的不一定都是贼。（不要以貌取人。）
(10)Every dog is a lion at home.狗在家门口就成了狮子。
(11)Don’t be a dog(lying)in the manger.莫学狗占马槽不吃草。（不要占着茅坑不拉屎。）
(12)Dog does not eat dog.同类不相残。
(13)Scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings.狗再傲慢也会吃脏布丁。(14)A son never thinks his mother ugly,and a dog never shuns its owner’s home however shabby it is.儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫。6.Frog(1)The frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean.井底之蛙，不知大海。7.Fox(1)The fox may grow grey, but never good.狐狸毛色可变灰，但是本性难移。
(2)The fox preys farthest from his hole.狐狸捕食，远离洞府。（兔子不吃窝边草。）
(3)When the fox preaches, then take care of your geese.每当狐狸说教，当心鹅群被盗。
(4)When the fox says he is a vegetarian, it’s time for the hen to look out.狐狸说它吃素的时候，母鸡就得注意。英语中有关动物的谚语（下）8.Fish(1)The best fish swim near the bottom.好鱼常在水底游。(2)Never offer to teach fish to swim.不要班门弄斧。
(3)Go to the sea, if you would fish well.不入虎穴，焉得虎子。(4)There’s as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it.海里的好鱼多的是。
(5)It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait.智者不上两次档。
(6)If water is noisy, there are no fish in it.咆哮的水中无鱼。（夸夸其谈者无真才实学。）。9.Hare(1)You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds(猎狗).不能既和野兔一起跑又和猎狗一起追。（人不应两面讨好。）
(2)The tortoise wins the race while the hare is sleeping.兔子睡懒觉，乌龟跑赢了。10.Horse(1)You can take a horse to the water, but you can’t make him drink.带马到河边容易，逼马饮水难。
(2)Don’t ride the high horse.勿摆架子。
(3)A good horse cannot be of a bad colour.好马不会毛色差。(4)A horse may stumble on four feet.马有四条腿，亦有失蹄时。(5)A running horse needs no spur.奔马无需鞭策。
(6)Don’t put the cart before the horse.不要将大车套在马前面。（处理问题应按先后次序，不要本末倒置。）
(7)The common horse is worst shod.公用之马，掌子最差。
(8)Lock the barn door after the horse is stolen.失马之后锁马厩。（亡羊补牢）
(9)Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.馈赠之马，勿看牙口。(10)Hair by hair you will pull out the horse’s tail.一根一根拔，拔光马尾巴。（水滴石穿）11.Mouse(1)It is a poor mouse that has only one hole.狡兔三窟。
(2)The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken.只有一个洞的老鼠，很快就被抓住。
(3)A speck of mouse dung will spoil a whole pot of porridge.一粒老鼠屎，坏了一锅粥。12.Sheep(1)If one sheep leaps over the ditch, all the rest will follow.榜样的力量是无穷的。
(2)A lazy sheep thinks its wool heavy.懒羊嫌毛重。
(3)He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf.甘心做绵羊，必然喂豺狼。13.Swallow(1)One swallow does not make a spring.孤燕不报春。(2)One swallow does not make a summer.一燕不成夏。14.Tiger(1)If you don’t enter a tiger’s den, you can’t get his cubs.不入虎穴，焉得虎子。15.Wolf(1)Don’t trust a goat with the kitchen-garden, or a wolf with sheepfold.不能请羊管菜园，不能请狼管羊圈。
(2)Who keeps company with wolves, will learn to howl.和狼在一起，就会学狼叫。
(3)Man is a wolf to man.人对人是狼。（人心狠，人吃人）
(4)A growing youth has a wolf in his belly.年轻人，在成长，吃起饭来像饿狼
第四篇：十二生肖与英语习语、谚语
十二生肖与英语习语、谚语
]
“十二生肖”是指12种动物，即鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。也就是俗话说的“属相”(animal signs)，是中国人特有的一种表示出生时间的方式。在英语中与它们有关的谚语(proverb).习语(idiom)有很多，而且有时具有出人意料的意思。另外，表示同一动物的单词往往也不止一个。在特定的谚语.习语中需要使用特定的表示该动物的单词，不能混淆。这在很大程度上是由于中西方对动物的看法不同。
一、鼠(rat)(口，比喻）不忠的人；（尤指困难时）背弃事业的人；讨厌的人；不忠的人；(美,俚)新学生、下流女人。与它有关的谚语、习语多含贬义。例如： 1.a rat leaving a sinking ship 不能共患难的人
2.die like a rat 被毒死 4.a rat in a hole 瓮中之鳖
5.(look)like a drowned rat（湿的）像落汤鸡.6.rat out 夹着尾巴走，在尴尬中离去
7.Rats！胡说！瞎扯！(具有斥责、生气的意味)8.Rats desert a sinking ship.树倒猢狲散
另外，表示“鼠”的单词还有mouse(复数为mice)。下面的则是使用mouse的习语。11.as poor as a church mouse 一贫如洗，赤贫的 12.like a drowned mouse 狼狈不堪/落汤鸡/落水狗 13.play cat and mouse with sb.对某人时好时坏 14.(as)quiet as a mouse 不出声；无声响
二、牛(ox)（不分性别的通称）；公牛；阉牛。相关的谚语、习语很生动形象。例如：
15.ox-eyed 大眼睛的
16.The black Ox has trod on sb’s foot灾祸已降临到某人头上/某人已人老珠黄 而bull则表示“公牛”。例如：
17.a bull in a china shop莽撞闯祸的人 18.like a bull at a gate 狂怒地，凶猛地 19.milk the bull干徒劳的事
20.take the bull by the horns 不畏艰险
另外，cow是指“母牛，奶牛”。例如： 22.a sacred cow 圣牛，神圣之物
23.till the cows come home 无限期地
三、虎(tiger)凶恶的人，虎狼之徒；[英]（穿制服的）马夫；[口]（比赛的）劲敌。例如：
24-1.ride the tiger以非常不确定或危险的方式生活 24-2.fight like a tiger 极力攻击某人或保护自己
25.a paper tiger 纸老虎
26.How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair?不入虎穴，焉得虎子? 27.work like a tiger 生龙活虎地干活
四、兔(hare)（英俚）坐车不买票的人。例如：
28.make a hare of sb.愚弄某人。
29.start a hare。在讨论中提出枝节问题。
30.First catch your hare(then cook him).勿谋之过早
31.hold/ run with the hare and run /hunt with the hounds.两面讨好
32.as timid as a hare胆小如鼠
另外，表示“兔”的单词还有rabbit。例如： 33.like rabbits in a warren 挤得水泄不通。
五、龙（dragon）（比喻，贬）凶暴的人，严厉的人；凶恶严格的监护人；（尤指）悍妇。例如：
34.dragon’s teeth相互争斗的根源；排列或多层的楔形反坦克混凝土障碍物。35.the old Dragon魔鬼
六．蛇(snake)阴险的人，虚伪的人，卑鄙的人；(美俚)追求和欺骗少女的男子（一般指男青年），男阿飞。例如： 36.a snake in the grass.潜伏的危险/敌人。37.a snake in one’s bosom恩将仇报的人
38.have snakes in one’s boots/see snakes喝醉酒 39.raise/wake snakes引起骚动；引起激烈的争吵
七、马(horse)(美俚)粗鲁的家伙；笨蛋。与马有关的谚语有很多。例如： 40.get on the high horse.耀武扬威，目空一切。41.work like a horse.辛苦工作。43.a dark horse[口] 黑马（意外得胜之马），竞争中出人意料的获胜者，实力难测的赛马/竞争者
44.a horse of another/different colour完全另外一回事 45.come off one's high horse 不再骄傲自大 46.be on one's high horse趾高气扬
47.mount/ride the high horse趾高气扬,耀武扬威
48.back the wrong horse（赛马中）下错赌注，[喻]支持失败的一方
50.spur a willing horse无故加鞭；给予不必要的刺激 51.eat like a horse 狼吞虎咽，吃得很多
52.Never swap/swop horses while crossing the stream.(谚)行到河中不换马（意指危难时不宜作大变动）53.talk horse 吹牛，说大话
54.work for a dead horse 从事不可能有报酬的工作
55.You can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.牵马到水边易，逼马饮水难(意指不要逼人做他不愿做的事)。
56.ask a horse the question(赛马骑师)力求竞赛的马竭其全力。57-1.as strong as a horse壮实得像头牛；非常健壮；精力充沛
57-2.put the cart before the horse 本末倒置，前后颠倒
八、羊(sheep)害羞而忸怩的人，胆小鬼，蠢人，驯服的人。有关sheep的谚语不少。例如：
58.as well be hanged for a sheep as(for)a lamb.一不做，二不休;索性蛮干 59.a black sheep败家子；败类；害群之马；拒绝参加罢工的工人
60.He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf.甘心做绵羊，早晚喂豹狼（人弱受人欺）。
61.a wolf in sheep's clothing披着羊皮的狼。62.a lost sheep 迷途的羊；误入歧途的人
63.follow like sheep 盲从
64..sheep without a shepherd 没有牧羊人的羊群；乌合之众
65.One scabbed sheep infects the whole flock.一只羊生疮，整群羊遭殃.此外，goat 指山羊。例如：
66.play the giddy goat 行为如小丑 67.the sheep and the goats好人和坏人。
九、猴(monkey)顽童,淘气鬼，猴子似的人，易受欺的人：与monkey一词搭配习语和俚语很多非常有趣。例如： 69.make a monkey of愚弄；
70.a monkey with a long tail.抵押；（美俚）毒瘾很深（以至思想上经济上负担沉重）
72.。monkey around(美俚)捣蛋，闲荡，瞎弄 73.monkey business 恶作剧，欺骗，胡闹
74.have a monkey on a house/up the chimney低押房屋
十、鸡(cock)首领，头目，神气十足的人。与cock组成的习语多姿多彩，例如： 75.Cock of the walk/school.有威望的领导人
76.a cock of the loft/dunghill.在小地方称王的人 77.Live like fighting cocks.吃得好；吃最好的东西 78.Cockbull story.荒诞的故事，无稽之谈。用cock表达的谚语：
79.It is a sad house where the hen crows louder than the cock.牝鸡司晨，家之不祥（意指丈夫软弱而一切由妻子作主的家庭是不会幸福的）80.go off at half cock 枪走火；操之过急（指计划典礼等尚未安排就绪即行开始）81.red cock纵火引起的火灾
82.That cock won't fight.这话讲不通/那一手行不通。
十一、狗(dog)无赖汉，坏蛋、废物，不受喜爱（或欢迎）的人。用dog表达的习语有：
83.a lucky dog.幸运儿
84.a sly dog.暗中寻欢的人；暗地里偷鸡摸狗的人
85.a dog in the manger.占着茅坑不拉屎的人。用dog表达的谚语： 86.Barking dogs do not /seldom bite.吠犬不咬人。87.Every dog has his day.凡人皆有得意日。88.Love me, love my dog.爱屋及乌。89.be top dog 处于支配的地位
90.call off the dogs 停止追逐/查询；打断不快的谈话
91.give a dog a bad/ an ill name and hang him.人言可畏 92.go to the dogs 堕落,毁灭
93.Let sleeping dogs lie.别惹是生非。
94.He who has a mind to beat his dog will easily find a stick欲加之罪,何患无辞。
95.An old dog cannot alter its way of barking江山易改，本性难移。
96..Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion宁为鸡头，毋为牛后
十二、猪(pig)（口）猪一般的人（指肮脏贪吃的人）；（美俚）警察，密探；荡妇。相关的习语有：
97..drive one's pigs to market 打鼾
98.in a pig's whisper(俚语)低声地；顷刻间
99.teach a pig to play on a flute 教猪吹笛；做荒谬/不可能做到的事。涉及猪的词语还有hog（食用猪）、sow（牝猪），swine（猪：旧用法），boar(未阉割的公猪.公野猪.)
由于中西文化的差异，在谚语或某些习语的翻译上也需要注重翻译技巧。例如： 100.Cast pearls before swine 对牛弹琴/明珠暗投
第五篇：论英语习语与西方文化之关系
摘要：习语是语言的结晶。英语习语更显得纷繁浩瀚．渗透着浓郁的西方文化气息。本文从西方民族的历史发展、风俗习惯、宗教信仰、娱乐等文化侧面分析了英语习语．从而认识英语习语与西方文化的关系。
关键词：英语习语 西方文化 关系 影响
文化是人类社会赖以生存和发展的基础。语言与文化密不可分 语言只不过是构成文化大系统的子系统之一。英语习语作为英语这种语言的特殊表现形式，是人民大众口头上习惯用的定型词组或短句。它的意思可以用现代语言来解释．也可以在日常生活中应用。但它的结构不一定和现代语言一致．词汇也不一定和现代词汇相同。它们相沿已久，约定俗成．具有完整而独特意义的词语，渗透着浓郁的西方文化底蕴。下面将从文化几个侧面进行阐述。
一、习语与历史发展
社会历史的发展对语言的影响是巨大的。随着时代的变迁，旧的语言逐渐衰亡，新的语言不断产生。在语言的发展过程中，西方文化的痕迹主要反映在英语习语中。例如在英国，罗马人、诺曼底人的征服对英语习语的影响是巨大的。翻开一本中型英语词典，在Rome(罗马)的词条下就会找到至少三条与“罗马”有关谚语：Do in Rome as the Romans do．— — 在罗马就要过罗马人的生活。(喻：入乡随俗)；Rome was not built in a day．— — 罗马不是一天建成的。(喻：伟业非一日之功)；All roads lead to Rome．—— 条条道路通罗马。(喻：殊途同归)。由此可见罗马帝国昔日的辉煌。⋯
二、习语与风俗习惯
风俗习惯是一种社会现象。一个地区的习俗就是一个地区的文化中的组成部分，成为该地区人的生活中的某些思想和准则。1．饮食习俗对英语习语的影响
一个民族的饮食文化与该民族所处的地理环境和生活习惯有很大的关系面包(bread)、牛油(butter)、奶酪(cheese)都是西方人的家常食品．围绕这些产品出现了许多习语．辐射到生活的各个方面。~rl bread and butter(生活必需品，生计)，面包和牛油是西方人的主食，所以，bread and butter就转义成提供衣食住行等生活必需品的“谋生之道”。又如：bread and circuses(安抚物)．有了面包就不会饿肚子了，但是“人不能光靠面包生活”．还要有精神生活，统治者要维护自己的统治，防止人民闹事，就要让人民吃饱喝足，再加上马戏表演，供老百姓观赏。这两样东西(bread and circuses)加起来，就可保天下太平了。[6] 围绕着“牛奶文化”又出现了不少习语。~I come home with the milk这是一条英语谚语。比喻某人在外“彻夜不归”．玩了个通宵后，天亮才同清晨送来的牛奶一起回家。又如：bring some body to his milk这是一条美国口语习语，喻指“使某人头脑清醒起来，迫使某人屈服(或默许)”的意思。再如：mother’s milk(母亲的奶)，这条习语比喻“好酒”、“生来喜欢的东西”。⋯
2．人名习俗对英语习语的影响
在英语中，人名出现在习语中有两种情况。一种是历史文化事件中的人名形成典故。在长期的使用中形成习语：另一种是风俗习惯、民间传说中出现的由人名构成的习语 在后一种情况中，习语的人名并不特指某一个人，而是泛指普通人或传说中的人。在英语中，构成习语最多的人名有Adam，Jack，Jill，John，Tom等。例如指since Adam was a boy指老早、自古：山e old Adam指人类犯罪的本性、私欲；Adam’s apple指喉结：a Jack in office指自命不凡的小官吏，摆架子的官吏：the Union Jack指英国国旗；Jack and Jill指少男少女；John Bull指约翰牛(典型的英国人)；Your John Hancock指请签上你的大名：Tom and Jerry是美国的习语，指吃喝玩乐的浪荡公子；Tom boy指顽皮的姑娘：
Joe Blow指老百姓；like a Rip Van Winkle指跟不上时代的人;plain Jane指纯朴少女
三、习语与宗教信仰 宗教是人类思想文化的重要组成部分。习语与文化的关系极为密切，更能折射出宗教对语言的影响。基督教在罗马帝国后期已被定为国教，后来传播到整个欧洲及世界其他地方。这在英语习语中就得到了体现。如：doubting Thomas(怀疑的托马斯)，该习语出自《新约》中的一个故事：基督被钉死在十字架上后，第三天复活，出现在门徒面前，但门徒之一的托马斯刚巧那天不在，因没有亲眼看到基督，他不相信别人的话，不相信基督已经复活。后来人们就用doubting Thomas指那些“多疑的人”、“不肯轻易相信别人的人”。又如：clean hands(双手干净)源自《旧约》，指“双手越干净的人会越来越有力”，表示“两袖清风”、“廉洁”：SOW the wind and reap the whirl wind(种的是风，收的是风暴)出自《旧约》中，上帝不满以色列人的偶像崇拜，告诫他们：“他们种的是风，收的是风暴”，后来人们用这个习语表达“恶有恶报。干坏事必将受到加倍惩罚”。也有一些习语出自基督教的仪式和历史。如go to the church(到教堂去)意思是去教堂做礼拜、结婚，因为西方的婚礼多在教堂举行。[4]
四、习语与体育娱乐
体育娱乐是民族文化的一部分。英语习语中就有很多以体育娱乐为主题的习语。以美国为例，棒球(basebal1)是美国最具普遍性的体育项目之一，被称作美国的“国球”。它是美国男女老少生活中不可缺少的一部分。不仅大、中学校有校棒球队，而且社会上还有职业棒球队。每到比赛的季节．美国几乎全民沸腾，万人空巷。新闻媒体更是成篇报道有关消息。棒球运动已深入到每个美国人的生活。美国人的许多习惯用语都出自棒球运动。如atfu11bat指在全力击球。俚语为“很快”；not get to the first base with指连一垒也没跑到．现表示“连第一步都没成功”：hit a home run指打了个本垒打，现表示“大为成功”；of one’s base(离垒)，现表示“大错特错的”“神智错乱的”。打扑克牌是美国人的一种传统性消遣活动，因此许多牌桌上的说法也就渐渐成了习语。Poker face的意思是面无表情，不露生色。玩牌的时候，把牌放在胸口的地方，免得被别人偷看，这在英文里就是close to the vest．意思是一个人非常谨慎，不让别人知道他在干什么。人们把电视迷叫做Couch potatoes。eoueh指沙发，potato指土豆，是指那些一有时间就坐在沙发上看电视的人。他们坐在那里一声也不吭，一动也不动。就像土豆一样。[3] 英语习语具有强烈的民族文化特征，所以．习语翻译要做到绝对等值是不可能的。译者的任务之一．就是引导读者接受异域文化，使译文在读者头脑中显现的形象和产生的联想都尽量接近原文读者得到的效果。英语习语中很多说法形象生动、寓意深刻，表现手法新颖独特。例如“In the country of the blind．the one—eyed man is the king．” “The devil may get in by the keyhole，but the door won’t let him out．”译成汉语分别为“盲人国里．独眼为王”和“魔鬼从锁孔里进去，开着门也请不出”。总之，西方文化对英语习语具有深远的影响，全面了解西方文化有助于我们更好地学好英语这门世界语言，轻松地学习英语习语。参考文献：
[1]平洪，张国扬．英语习语-9英美文化外语[M]．教学与研究出版社．2000． [2]柯素芬．文化与习语翻译[J]．温州师范学院学报，1996．
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