A Study on the Chinese Zodiac Translation from thePerspective of Culture

A Study on the Chinese Zodiac Translation from the

Perspective of Culture

湖南理工学院外语学院 向 霞

【Abstract】Chinese zodiac has a long history which involves every aspect of our social life and hence occupies an important position in Chinese culture. The need of international communication and cultural transmission made the research and translation of Chinese zodiac become inevitable. Since the modern times, with the increasing domestic scholars’ researches, the translation of Chinese zodiac is becoming more rational and normalized as a whole. However, due to the cultural differences, translators are often faced with a predicament where they can’t fully convey the zodiac’s culture connotation，which makes translation of some zodiac names differ at present stage and lack of unity and standardization. In order to avoid cultural losses and conflicts, the writer explores the influences of English and Chinese culture on the translation of Chinese zodiac based on the study and comparison of its local meanings and different versions of translation, and further concludes the principles and methods that should be followed in the process of the translation of Chinese zodiac.

【Key words】 Chinese zodiac animal culture translation cultural losses

1．Chinese zodiac and its local meaning

The “Shēngxiào”literally "birth likeness", is also known in English as “Chinese zodiac”. Zodiac derives from the similar concept in western astrology and means "circle of animals". It is a scheme and systematic plan of future action that relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes according to a 12-year mathematical cycle.

（https://www.sodocs.net/doc/0a17013157.html,/wiki/Chinese_zodiac#vietnamese）

1.1 Twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac

The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat. The following are the twelve zodiac signs (each with its associated Earthly Branch) in order and their characteristics.

Rat 鼠 (子) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water)

Ox 牛 (丑) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Earth)

Tiger 虎 (寅) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Wood)

Rabbit 兔 or 兎(卯) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood)

Dragon 龍/ 龙 (辰) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Earth)

Snake 蛇 (巳) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Fire)

Horse 馬/ 马 (午) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Fire)

Goat / Sheep 羊 (未) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Earth) Monkey 猴 (申) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Metal)

Rooster 雞/ 鸡 (酉) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal)

Dog 狗 / 犬 (戌) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Earth)

Pig 豬/ 猪 (亥) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Water)

（https://www.sodocs.net/doc/0a17013157.html,/wiki/Chinese_zodiac#vietnamese）

1.2 Local meaning of twelve symbolic animals

Rat: The rat has worse image in people’s eyes, and even some Chinese sayings that relate to it are almost derogatory. However rat was recognized as the head of the Chinese zodiac. People born under the rat sign usually have high wit and good alertness, who are willing to accumulate wealth and to make efforts to be successful.

Ox: Ox is considered to be sedulous, simple, honest, and straightforward. People under the sign of the ox are probably laborious and patient. But their obstinacy and poor social ability make others dislike and misunderstand sometimes.

Tiger: Tigers being brave, cruel, forceful and terrifying, are the symbol of power and lordliness. People under the year of the tiger are tolerant, valiant, and respected.

Rabbit: The rabbit that is tender and lovely has represented hope of the Chinese people for a long time. The moon goddess Chang’e in Chinese legend has a rabbit as her pet, which makes us think that only the rabbit is gentle and pure enough to match her noble beauty. People under the sign of the rabbit are gentle, sensitive, modest, and merciful and humorous.

Dragon: The dragon is the token of authority, dignity, honor, and success, which enjoys a very high reputation in Chinese culture. Emperors entitled themselves exclusively as ‘dragon’. People under the sign of the dragon are lively, energetic and fortunate, so they often can be leaders and try to go for perfection. But they are a little arrogant and impatient.

Snake: In people eyes, the snake is malevolent, malicious, irritable and mystery. People born in the year of the snake often have a skill of communicating, and a gracious morality, but they are likely to be jealous and suspicious.

Horse: The spirit of the horse is considered to be the Chinese people’s ethos - making best efforts to improve themselves. Horse is energetic, clever, warm-hearted and able, so ancient people liked to designate an able person as ‘Qianli Ma’ (a horse that covers a thousand li a day). People under the year of the horse have good abilities, and they always want to be prominent in their community.

Sheep: The sheep is so gentle and calm that people like it mostly. The sheep is multifunctional. Since ancient times, people have learned to use its fleece to make writing brushes, skin to keep warm and meat to eat. People born in the year of the sheep are tender, polite, clever, and kind-hearted.

Monkey: The monkey is so clever that people used to compare it to a smart person. Most people under the Year of the Monkey are lively, flexible and kind-hearted. They love moving and sports, and helping others. They have a strong desire to present themselves.

Rooster: The rooster is the symbol of fidelity and punctuality. Another symbolic meaning the rooster carries is exorcising evil spirits, which are used to worship ancestors. People are under the year of rooster are considered to be honest, bright, communicative and ambitious. But sometimes they are arrogant.

Dog: Among these animals, the dog is the best and loyal friend of people who can understand the human’s spirit and obey its master. People under the Year of Dog are loyal, smart, warm-hearted and

作者简介：向霞，女，湖南新化人，1991年5月出生，湖南理工学院外语学院本科生，专业方向：英语翻译，工作单位：湖南理工学院外国语言文学学院

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straightforward.

Pig: The first image of the pig is fat, ugly, lazy and clumsy. But they are so frank that they never damage others’benefits. As a result of that, pigs were once regarded as wealth. People born in the Year of the Pig are calm, honest and frank.

2. Different translations of Chinese zodiac

Due to the cultural differences, translators are often faced with a predicament where they can’t fully convey the zodiac’s culture connotation，which makes translation of some zodiac names differ at present stage and lack of unity and standardization.

2.1 Translations on the Hownet

When the writer input key words: Chinese zodiac, culture and translation into CNKI respectively, 1992, 12 and 54 articles or thesis were found concerning with them. There are the translations of Chinese zodiac on CNKI as bellow.

鼠：rat, mouse

牛：bull, ox

虎：tiger

兔：hare， rabbit

龙：dragon, long, loong

蛇：snake

马：horse

羊：sheep，goat

猴：monkey

鸡：cock，fowl，rooster，chicken

狗：dog

猪：pig，boar，hog

(https://www.sodocs.net/doc/0a17013157.html,/kns/brief/default_result.aspx)

2.2 Translations in the dictionary

There are translations respectively in 4 authoritative Chinese-English dictionary whose names are New Practical Chinese-English Dictionary, A New Century Chinese -English Dictionary, Chinese-English Dictionary in China, and New Age Chinese-English Dictionary.

Chinese zodiac New

Practical

Chinese-

English

Dictionary

A New

Century

Chinese

-English

Dictionary

Chinese-Eng

lish

Dictionary in

China

New Age

Chinese-

English

Dictionary

鼠 mouse rat Rat rat

牛 ox ox Ox ox

虎 tiger tiger tiger tiger

兔 rabbit hare rabbit rabbit

龙 dragon dragon dragon dragon

蛇 snake snake snake snake

马 horse horse horse horse

羊 sheep sheep sheep sheep

猴 monkey monkey monkey monkey

鸡 fowl cock rooster rooster

狗 dog dog dog dog

猪 pig hog pig pig

From the data above, the writer summarizes that there are 2 situations, one of which is the English name of a kind of animal is same (tiger, snake, horse, monkey, dog), and another one of which is the English name of a kind of animal is more than one (鼠，牛，兔，龙，羊，鸡，猪).

3. Influences of English and Chinese culture on the translation of the Chinese zodiac

Cultures are colorful and unique because of different living

environments, however, human beings as same kind of species, their culture is same or similar to some degree. Because culture translating is a necessary part of translating work, the English and Chinese culture has a great role in translating process of Chinese zodiac.

3.1 Translation of same animals with same cultural meanings

Living in a similar ecological environment, Chinese and western people view animals from natural features, which produces a same or similar association and gives a same cultural meaning. “鼠”(“rat”)，“蛇” (“snake”) and “猪”(“pig”) are the animals with same cultural meanings in these two culture. “鼠”(“rat”) is cunning，dirty，and carries and spreads disease. Rat is also referred to “an unpleasant person, especially one who is not loyal or tricks sb (卑鄙的人，骗子)” “蛇”（snake）carries the meanings of malevolence, cattiness and mystery in both Chinese and Western cultures. The bad image of “蛇”in the "The Farmer and the Snake" is alike to the one of “snake” in the “Bible”.( Peng, 2007, p.9) “猪”（pig）is characterized as stupidity ,laziness and clumsiness. The translations of these animals can be simple and unified. We can translate them in a literal translation way without cultural losses and misunderstandings.

3.2 Translation of same animals with different cultural meanings

In two different language system, Chinese and western people give a same kind of animal different cultural meanings due to livng in

a different cultural settings, such as “龙”, “鸡”and “狗”. “龙”

is regarded as the symbol of the Chinese nation. In ancient China.

However, “dragon”is a large fierce animal that can breathe out fire or a woman who behaves in an aggressive and frightening way. If we translate “龙”into “dragon”, it will form a bad image of “龙”.

In the face of this，many scholars put forward to many views of “龙”

translation, such as “long”, “loong”and “Chinese dragon”. “鸡”

and “狗” are not only positive but also negative in nowadays as Chinese characters, comparing with English characters. Sometimes, “鸡” is referred to some people who are in prostitution industry in China. “狗” is referred to some people who betray others once in a while (Edmund, 1964, p.28). As we all know that Chinese zodiac is a kind of positively representative culture, we should omit these bad meanings of them in translation.

3.3 Translation of diferent animals with similar cultural meanings

Some symbolic animals have similar cultural meanings to other animals, which is to say that same meaning can be conveyed in different animals under influences of diffrenet cultures. These animals include “牛”, “虎”, and “龙”, etc.. “牛”and “马”have

a resonance in both Chinese and English culture. The Chinese idiom

“吹牛”is like that western idiom “talk horse”. “壮的像头牛”

is like “ as strong as a horse”. So, when we translate “牛” and “马” in Chinese zodiac into English, we can translate them into “bull”and “horse”, at the same time, we should add that they have

a kind of resonance in each other culture. The translations of “虎”

and “龙” are same with “牛”.

3.4 Translation of some animals without similar cultural

meanings

In Chinese language, some symbolic animals have abundant associative meaning, but there are no correlative meanings in same kinds of animals in western culture, which makes us that we can not translate them into corresponding English animal words because of missing some cultural meanings. Sometimes, “牛” is referred to people who are very diligent and upright，however, there is no meaning like this in English culture. “马” is referred to a kind of talents, such as “千里马”. So, we should use some translating methods to make it better. So, when we translate “牛” and “马”

in Chinese zodiac into English, we can translate them into “bull”

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and “horse”, at the same time, we should add that they have a kind of resonance in each other culture.

4. Translation principles and methods of Chinese zodiac

From above descriptions, we can know that there are in a confused and controversial translating situation because of cultural differences. The following principles may give us a more suitable way to translate it into English version.

4.1 Principles

Principles of translation are ones as goals set for translators to strive after the criterion of translation and ones as standards for measuring the professional level of translation.

4.1.1 Principle of fidelity

"Fidelity" is mainly referred to the content. Translation is a kind of activity where translators express the same meaning in another language after understanding others speech in a kind of language. That is to say, the task of a translator is to express the meaning of others, rather than his own creation. （Meng, 2003，p.34）. Chinese zodiac as a typical traditional Chinese culture, we should translate it to popularize it to the world, rather than changing it into another English version. So, "fidelity" is a basic problem in Chinese zodiac translation. Firstly, the English name of Chinese zodiac should be faithful to the original animal physical features. Secondly, the English name of Chinese zodiac should be faithful to the original cultural meaning（Tian & Liu, 2011, p.209）. Liu Baiyu，a famous translation theorist in China, deems that these two factors are most important two of the essential factors when we translate Chinese zodiac(2010, p.73).

4.1.2 Principle of harmony

People speaking different languages have different cultural mentalities. Language transfer is a surface of culture, however, the cultural information transmission is a core of translation. The vocabularies of symbolic animals are meaning carriers of Chinese zodiac. If we want to change the words without estrangement on culture, we need some proper translation measures to keep the harmony and fluency of information exchanging. The English name of Chinese zodiac should be in harmony with English culture, which will help reduce cultural conflicts （Tian & Liu, 2011, p.209）. For example, if “龙”was translated into “dragon” simply, a holly and powerful Chinese symbol would be misunderstood by westerners as a devil, which would cause a derogatory influence on the image of China.

4.2 Methods

In the translation of animal words, we should not only take into account the meaning of the words but also pay attention to the difference of the culture, so different animal translation should be different according to different cultures.

4.2.1 Literal translation

Chinese and Western culture are similar in many aspects, so it is in the image and cultural meanings of some animals. When we translate these words, we can use a literal translation method, such as the translation of “鼠”，“蛇” and “猪” etc..

With a small body and a long tail,“鼠” is a kind of mammal that has a lot of types. Its hair is brown, black or white. It’s fertile on giving birth. Some of them carry and spread disease，such as plague.（Xinhua Chinese Dictionary，2007, p.899） “鼠”is not adorable, and even many Chinese sayings and idioms that are related to it have almost derogatory meanings, such as “老鼠过街人人喊打的” and “鼠目寸光”. A “rat” is “ a small animal with a long tail, that looks like a large mouse 大老鼠，耗子”.(Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary, 2009, p.1641). Rat is also referred to “an unpleasant person, especially one who is not loyal or tricks sb (卑鄙的人，骗子)”(Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary, 2009, p.1641). So, the cultural meaning of “rat” is suitable to the Chinese one. From that, we can translate “鼠” in a literal translation way because of their cultural similarities.“蛇”（snake）carries the meanings of malevolence, cattiness and mystery in both Chinese and Western cultures. The bad image of “蛇”in the "The Farmer and the Snake" is alike to the one of “snake” in the “Bible”. “猪”（pig）is characterized as stupidity ,laziness and clumsiness (Wu, 1998, p.89). These animals can translate in a literal translation way.

4.2.2 Image conversion method

Because of the existence of cultural differences between China and west, not all of animal words translation can use literal translation. Then we should pay attention to the different cultures, and use image conversion method to translate them, such as “牛”, “虎”, and “龙”, etc..

“牛”and “马”have a resonance in both Chinese and English culture. Chinese saying “吹牛” is like that western saying “talk horse”. “壮的像头牛”is like “ as strong as a horse”. So, when we translate “牛”and “马”in Chinese zodiac into English, we can translate them into “bull”and “horse”, at the same time, we should add that they have a kind of resonance in each other culture. “虎” and “狮”or “龙” have resonances in both Chinese and English culture to some degree. “老虎屁股摸不得”is like “one should not twist the lion’s tail”. “狐假虎威” is like “donkey in a lion’s hide”. “拦路虎” is like “a lion in the way”. “亚洲四小龙”is translated into “four tigers of the Asia”. So, when we translate “虎” and “龙”，we should point out the renounces of different animals in different culture.

4.2.3 Transliteration

Facing with huge difference of culture, we can not translate Chinese animals into target ones because of losing fidelity and harmony among different culture. Then, transliteration may be a proper way to handle this dilemma.

“龙”is the most contradictive symbolic animal on its translating. Some scholars hold that it still should be translated into “dragon”, such as Wu Weixiong. The writer thinks that if we keep “dragon” as its translation, it leads to many misunderstandings among different nations. As for “Chinese dragon”, it is discordant with translations of other symbolic animals whose translating name has only one English vocabulary. So, The author thinks “龙”can be translated into “long” in a transliteration way.

Conclusion

This thesis relates to similarities and differences of twelve symbolic animals in two different cultures and languages, Chinese zodiac translations under the influence of different cultures, and corresponding translation principles and methods summed up by the writer. From that, we know that when translating animal words we can not just look at the physical features or only consider the conceptual meaning of them. The study of contemporary English translation theorist Susan Bassnet said: “Just as when people are doing a heart surgery, they can’t neglect other parts of body besides a heart, and we can’t risk dealing with the language content and culture of translating language separately during the translation”(1990, p.367). “Therefore, language translation is not only a transformative activity of language surface meaning, but also a mutual communication and

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“三学三访”，塑造高职新生顽强拼搏的精神风骨

浙江汽车职业技术学院 顾杨洋

transfer of two different cultures. A translation involves not only two

kinds of languages, but also two kinds of culture” (Bao, 2000, p.98).

So we should understand not only the concept meaning of animal

words, but also the cultural meaning of them. Only in this way can we

reduce the loss of culture to be a faithful cultural disseminator.

【References】

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中国对外翻译出版公司。

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[3] Darry, L. (1994). Dictionary of animal words and phrases. New

York: Jonathan David Pub.

[5] Huang, J. [黄佶], 2006, 关于‘龙’的英译名修改问题。 社会科学（11）：161-169。 [6] Liu, B. Y.[刘白玉]，2010，对十二生肖翻译的思考。中国翻译（4）：72-74。 [7] Liu, H. C. [刘洪泉]等人，2007,此‘龙’非彼‘龙’。长江大学学报（社会科学版）（1）：104-106。 [8] Peng, Q. H. (2007). A Study of English idioms from the practical perspective. Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press (China), 7-8. [9] Tian,C.[田昌]等人，2011，浅议中国特色文化的翻译--十二生肖名称的英译。《海外英语》（2）：209-210。 [10] Wu, Y. F. (1998) An English-Chinese dictionary of animal words & their usage. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. 员。