Influence of Cultural Background on Translation and Language

王培

【Abstract 】“For truly successful translation, it is much more important to familiarize two cultures than mastering two languages, because words are assigned meanings in its particular cultures. ” It`s generally considered that language is an element of culture and reflects it. This thesis attempts to explore the influence of cultural backgrounds on translation and language, after showing the development of culture and translation, author draws a conclusion that interpreters should keep an extensive and profound comprehension of the two languages which considered.

【 Key words】culture; translation; language; cultural background

1. Introduction

It`s proverbial that language plays an important role of culture, and language is also the product and carrier of culture. The closer relationship between culture and language is well-known, culture and language can`t be separated from each other. Translation is not only the bridge of communication between different countries, but also the medium of inter-cultural communication.(Eugene Nida, 1993). However, there would exist many problems for translators during the process of translation. The translators may encounter some barriers and culture shock from the cross-cultural materials.

2. Culture

2.1 Brief Introduction

Culture can be defined in numerous ways.In the words of anthropologist E.B.Taylor, it is “that complex whole which includes knowledge, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” As a defining aspect of what it means to be human, culture is a central concept in anthropology, encompassing the range of phenomena that are transmitted through social learning in human societies. (Macionis, Gerber, 2010) The scholars` definition and the characteristics of culture includes all the major fields which the modern people are studying.

2.2 Culture Shock

Culture shock is an experience a person may have when one moves to a cultural environment which is different from ones own; it is also the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, a move between social environments, or simply transition to another type of life. (Macionis, John, and Linda Gerber, 2010:54) Culture shock can be described as consisting of at least one of four distinct phases:honeymoon, negotiation, adjustment, and adaptation. The culture shock may not only take some barriers to scholars, but with the further researching of the different cultures in different areas, people are paying more attention to the relationships among the culture, language, and translation.

3. Influence of Cultural Background on Language and Translation

3.1 Geographical Conditions

It`s well-known that British is an island country. Local residents here who settling along the coastline and making a living by the sea, so they created their idioms about sea, island, sailing, and fish. For instance, in English the idioms like “A sea of troubles”無窮麻煩，When they are confused, they may say: “I`m all at sea”不知所云，When they are drunk, they can say : “half seas over” And some more “go with tide “隨波逐流，and “cry stinking fish” 暴露的缺點(diǎn).

While China is an agricultural country, Chinese established a thriving fishing and farming culture. They made a living by soil, crop farming, sunshine, water and other natural factors. The verse鋤禾日當(dāng)午，汗滴禾下土has showed the daily life of most people in summer in ancient China.And the verse足蒸暑土氣，背灼炎天光represents the hard`working spirit of ancient Chinese people.

3.2 Historical

For many years American English has been assaulting the British Isles with ever-increasing power and persistence through movies, newspapers, and television. Though “Petrol”, “autumn” and “pavement” have not surrendered to “gasoline”, “fall”, and “sidewalk”, words which aptly fill a real need such as “teenager” and “commuter” have now become well established in British English.

With the development of science and technology, new words come into being to express new inventions, new techniques as well as new concepts. Some popular network language emerge at a historic moment. In Chinese, a popular network word “我真是醉了” The original meaning is to describe the people who get drunk, but real meaning is to express someone who is frustrated, and excited.

Conclusion

Culture, language and translation, intrinsically interdependent on each other, have evolved together through history. Their mutual interdependence can find proof in the course of human civilization, the development of writing and human communication. The process of translating, actually is the process of cultural communicating. Meanwhile, some factors should not be neglected. With all the profound understanding of culture and language, translators can not only accomplish their tasks easier, but also they can enjoy the charm of language and culture.

References：

[1]Charks Hockett.A Course in Modern Linguistics.New York:Macmilan, 1956.