Application of Functional Equivalence Theory in English Translation of Chinese Idioms

Abstract

Eugene A. Nida’s theory of functional equivalence has been highly valued and has influenced the practice of translation in general. It can be applied as a guiding criterion in Chinese idiom translation. This paper attempts to apply the functional equivalence theory to the English translation of Chinese idioms so as to overcome the difficulties encountered by translation practitioners. After the study on literal, free translation and other feasible translating methods, the author believes that it is only the equivalence in both meaning and function that the essence of Chinese idiom translation counts on. In other words, after reading the translation, the target language readers should react the same as the source language readers do to the biggest degree.