The Translation of Figure of Speech www.wondershare.com

I. The Translation of Metaphors Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Metaphors are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining. Similes use the words “as” or “like” to make a comparison, while metaphors state that something “is” something else. www.wondershare.com

Classification of Metaphors: 1. 形似的比喻 形似就是本体与喻体在音响、形状和外貌上某一点或几点有相似之处 And the whining school boy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school…… www.wondershare.com

背着书包的学童，有一张朝阳般明媚的面容，嘟哝着不愿去上学，像只蜗牛慢慢向前挪动…… And the whining school boy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school…… 背着书包的学童，有一张朝阳般明媚的面容，嘟哝着不愿去上学，像只蜗牛慢慢向前挪动…… www.wondershare.com

The hallway was zebra-stripped with darkness and moonlight. 大厅里有的地方黑黑的，有的地方透进了月光，整个大厅就像黑白相间的斑马线。 In the morning the dust hung like fog, and the sun was red as ripe new blood. 早上尘埃弥漫，犹如漫天浓雾，朝阳则鲜红似血。 www.wondershare.com

as happy as a cow as cunning as a dead pig 2. 神似的比喻 神似指本体与喻体在形式、外观及表面上毫无相似之处，而在精神或实质内容的某一点可能极其相像。 as happy as a cow as cunning as a dead pig www.wondershare.com

The thought was fire in him. Men are April when they woo, December when they wed, maids are May when they maids, but the sky changes when they are wives. 男人求爱时如4月一般和煦，婚后却像寒冬腊月；闺中少女则宛若5月一般温润，而为人妇后却像易变的天气阴晴莫测。 The thought was fire in him. 这种想法如同他心中的满腔怒火。 www.wondershare.com

My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water’d shoot; 3.形神兼备的比喻 一个比喻同时兼备形似和神似的特点 My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water’d shoot; My heart is like an apple tree Whose boughs are bent with thick-set fruits… www.wondershare.com

My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water’d shoot; My heart is like an apple tree Whose boughs are bent with thick-set fruits… 我的心像一只歌唱的小鸟, 鸟窝在一支水嫩的树枝上； 我的心像一棵苹果树, 压弯的枝条上果实累累。 www.wondershare.com

Translation of Metaphors 1. 保留喻体，等值再现 as cold as ice as hot as fire as hard as a rock as busy as bee as light as feather as bold as a lion as cheerful as a lark as blind as a bat www.wondershare.com

在詹勒罗夫人跟前，一个人的激情会变得麻木不仁，热血也会变成掺了水的牛奶。 Passion was to go to sleep in the presence of Mrs. General and blood was to change to milk and water. 在詹勒罗夫人跟前，一个人的激情会变得麻木不仁，热血也会变成掺了水的牛奶。 www.wondershare.com

That guy Morrow was about as sensitive as goddam toilet seat. 2. 更换喻体，突出喻意 That guy Morrow was about as sensitive as goddam toilet seat. 要说敏感，莫罗那小子像个榆木疙瘩。 （错译：…和讨厌的马桶坐垫差不多） Also, he had money in his picket, and, as in the old days when a payday, he made the money fly. 还有，当他钱袋有钱的时候，像过去发薪的日子一样，他挥金如土。 www.wondershare.com

His mother is as happy as a cow. 他的母亲高兴得像只云雀。 （错译：…高兴得像头母牛） Mr. Smith may serve as a good secretary, for he is as close as an oyster. 史密斯先生可以当个好秘书，因为他守口如瓶。 www.wondershare.com

3. 放弃比喻形式，保持动态对等 as cold as a cucumber 非常冷静（错译：像黄瓜一样镇定） as sharp as a needle 十分精明（错译：像针一样精明） as tight as a drum 非常不舍得花钱（错译：像鼓一样精明） as sure as a gun 一点不错 （错译：像枪一样确切） www.wondershare.com

很明显，我同老头子至死也势不两立，我不会从他身上得到什么东西的。 The ship plows the sea. 船在海上乘风破浪地前进。 It’s very plain that the old man I will remain at daggers drawn to the end of our lives, and that I have nothing to expect from him. 很明显，我同老头子至死也势不两立，我不会从他身上得到什么东西的。 www.wondershare.com

His intellectual productivity has decreased in recent years. 他的学术成果近几年已经下降了。 …the wind is as cold as charity, we are much more comfortable here, are we not? 外面冷风嗖嗖，我们在这儿要舒服多了，是不是？ Whenever he was challenged, he habitually tried to beat his brain for an idea to fight back. 他一遇到挑战，就习惯性地冥思苦想，想办法回击对方。 www.wondershare.com

II. The Translation of Oxymoron Classification of Oxymoron (矛盾修饰法) : 1. adjective modifier + noun His cruel kindness is simply beyond words. We don’t understand why some young people are never bored with their laborious idleness. www.wondershare.com

His cruel kindness is simply beyond words. 他那害人不浅的仁慈（不宜译成：残忍的仁慈）简直难以用言语表达。 We don’t understand why some young people are never bored with their laborious idleness. 我们不明白为什么有些年轻人对那种令人腻烦的闲散反而乐此不疲。 www.wondershare.com

Writing is busy idleness. 写作是忙碌的消闲。（类似于忙中偷闲） She agreed to this, with a touch of sorrowful gladness that they would go back to the rectory and be arranged on the accustomed walls once more…… 她认为这一番评价恰如其分，想到这些书将回到教区区长的住宅里，放回到原来的壁架上，她不禁有点悲喜交集…… www.wondershare.com

It (New York) has the poorest millionaires, the littlest great men, the haughtiest beggars, the plainest beauties, the lowest skyscrapers, the dolefulest pleasures of any town I ever saw. 这座城市（纽约市）里有的是心灵最空虚的百万富翁，人格最渺小的为人，最目空一切的乞丐，最使人瞧不上眼的美女，最卑鄙龌龊的摩天大楼和最令人悲哀的娱乐，比我所见到的任何城市都有过之而无不及。 www.wondershare.com

2. adverb modifier + adjective (or participle) The young man was strenuously idle. They told their friends that they enjoy that kind of painful pleasure. www.wondershare.com

The young man was strenuously idle. 那个青年人闲得非常难受。 They told their friends that they enjoy that kind of painful pleasure. 他们对朋友说喜欢那种痛苦的喜悦。 www.wondershare.com

She looked tall and splendidly alone. 她个子高高的，好像鹤立鸡群，显得格外俊俏靓丽。 She was agreeably grieved by the news. 那消息使她感到悲喜交加。 www.wondershare.com

那是一幢过去漆成白色的近似方形的大木屋，坐落在当年一条最考究的街道上，还装点着70年代风味的尖顶和涡形的花纹阳台，具有庄严而轻快的气氛。 It was a big squarish frame house that has once been white, decorated with spires and scrolled balconies in the heavily lightsome style of the seventies, set on what had once been our most select street. 那是一幢过去漆成白色的近似方形的大木屋，坐落在当年一条最考究的街道上，还装点着70年代风味的尖顶和涡形的花纹阳台，具有庄严而轻快的气氛。 www.wondershare.com

Dove-feather’d raven! Wolvish-ravening lamb! 3. noun (or noun phrase) + of phrase Dove-feather’d raven! Wolvish-ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show! Just opposite to thou justly seem’st A damned saint, an honorable villain! www.wondershare.com

Dove-feather’d raven! Wolvish-ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show! Just opposite to thou justly seem’st A damned saint, an honorable villain! 披着白鸽羽毛的乌鸦！豺狼一样残忍的羔羊！ 圣洁的外表包裹着丑恶的实质！ 你的内心刚巧和你的外表相反， 一个万恶的圣人，一个庄严的奸徒！ www.wondershare.com

Interpretation of Oxymoron 1. from context Then had I not been thus exiled from light, As in the land of darkness, yet in light To live a life half dead, a living death, And buried; but, O yet more miserable! www.wondershare.com

Then had I not been thus exiled from light, As in the land of darkness, yet in light To live a life half dead, a living death, And buried; but, O yet more miserable! 那样我就不会流放于光明之外， 身在光天化日之中，宛若在黑暗世界， 过半死不活的生活，一个活死人， 被埋葬了，但比埋葬更为悲惨 www.wondershare.com

He was restlessly tired, even as he lay in bed. 2. by experiences The mother is undergoing the joyful pain, and the painful joy of childbirth. He was restlessly tired, even as he lay in bed. www.wondershare.com

这位母亲正经受着分娩时那种欢乐的痛苦，痛苦的欢乐。 The mother is undergoing the joyful pain, and the painful joy of childbirth. 这位母亲正经受着分娩时那种欢乐的痛苦，痛苦的欢乐。 He was restlessly tired, even as he lay in bed. 他累了，然而一点也不安宁，及时躺在床上也还是这样。 www.wondershare.com

Translation of Oxymoron 1.等值译法（直译法） “What had happened,” he said, “was a normal aberration.” 他说：“所发生的事情只是一次正常的越轨。” There was an audible stillness, in which the common voice sounded strange. 这是一片听得见的寂静，连普通的声音听起来也显得异样。 www.wondershare.com

越南从柬埔寨撤军令柬埔寨人一下子产生一种矛盾的心情。历史上柬埔寨是越南的宿敌，但这九年来，柬埔寨人把越军的进驻看成是一个“必要的恶行”。 The (Vietnamese) withdrawal sparks mixed feelings among Kampucheans, who are historic enemies of the Vietnamese but for nine years have viewed Hanoi’s army as a necessary evil. 越南从柬埔寨撤军令柬埔寨人一下子产生一种矛盾的心情。历史上柬埔寨是越南的宿敌，但这九年来，柬埔寨人把越军的进驻看成是一个“必要的恶行”。 www.wondershare.com

Parting is such sweet sorrow. 2.对称拆译法 “既…又…” 、“又…又”、 “…但…”、 “…却…” He sat there and watched them, so changelessly changing, so bright and dark, so grave and gay. Parting is such sweet sorrow. www.wondershare.com

他坐在那儿注视着，觉得眼前的景象，既是始终如一，又是变化多端，既是光彩夺目，又是朦胧黑暗，既是庄严肃穆，又是轻松愉快。 He sat there and watched them, so changelessly changing, so bright and dark, so grave and gay. 他坐在那儿注视着，觉得眼前的景象，既是始终如一，又是变化多端，既是光彩夺目，又是朦胧黑暗，既是庄严肃穆，又是轻松愉快。 Parting is such sweet sorrow. 离别是如此地又甜蜜又令人心酸。 www.wondershare.com

这本教程将使他们达到上述目的，因为他们可以找出更多各式各样的用法，所有这些用法全都包括在“英语”这个简单但却又令人难以捉摸的词里了。 It will enable them to do so by finding out more about the many different kinds of usage that are all covered by the deceptively simple word “English”. 这本教程将使他们达到上述目的，因为他们可以找出更多各式各样的用法，所有这些用法全都包括在“英语”这个简单但却又令人难以捉摸的词里了。 Though he was a great genius, yet he was an out-and-out cheerful pessimist. 虽然他是个了不起的天才，可是他却是个地地道道的纵情于酒乐的厌世者。 www.wondershare.com

We are terribly pleased to hear the good news. 我们听到这一好消息真是欣喜若狂。 3. 融会贯通法 We are terribly pleased to hear the good news. 我们听到这一好消息真是欣喜若狂。 www.wondershare.com

Translation of Onomatopoeia 拟声词 The function of onomatopoeia in a sentence: 1．充当句子的独立成分： 匡匡！门被撞开了。 Crash! The door was broken.（独立成分不变） 哗啦！桌子翻了。 Thump! A table was overturned. （独立成分不变） www.wondershare.com

Ha! Ha! Ha! What doers it matter? （独立成分不变） 哈哈哈，这不要紧！ Ha! Ha! Ha! What doers it matter? （独立成分不变） 呜！呜、呜、呜；—汽笛叫声突然从那边远远的河身的弯曲地方传来了。(矛盾《春蚕》) Toot! Toot—toot—toot… Far up the band in the canal a boat whistle broke the silence.（独立成分不变） www.wondershare.com

Bang! Bang! Bang! Came three reports from behind the village. （独立成分不变） 砰！砰！砰！村后传来了三声枪响。 Bang! Bang! Bang! Came three reports from behind the village. （独立成分不变） 登！登！登！一阵楼梯板响, 匪徒们上楼了。 Then followed a loud Clump! Clump! as they rushed up the stairs.(转译为主语) 拨拉！拨拉！黄浦的水怒吼着。 The waters of the Huangpu splashed and gurgled. (转译为谓语) www.wondershare.com

A sizzling sound came from the chafing dish. 怒号的狂风在夜半时分停息了。 2. 做句子中的定语： 火锅里发出兹兹的响声。 A sizzling sound came from the chafing dish. 怒号的狂风在夜半时分停息了。 The howling wind stopped at midnight. 吱吱嚎叫的独轮车，三轮大牛车，载运着米粮、被服和弹药,…（《红日》） Squeaking one-wheeled barrows and three-wheeled ox-carts were transporting rice, uniforms and ammunition. … www.wondershare.com

The rumble of gun-fire was heard again. .(转译为主语) 步枪的砰砰声划破了山村的宁静。 人们又听到了隆隆的炮声。 The rumble of gun-fire was heard again. .(转译为主语) 步枪的砰砰声划破了山村的宁静。 The crack of rifles broke the silence of the mountain village. .(转译为主语) www.wondershare.com

隔壁牢房的铁索响了一声，接捉，传来推开铁们的哗啦啦的巨响。（《红岩》） A rock rattled and there was a loud clank as the door of the next cell was flung open. (转译为主语) 哗啦啦一声巨响，一棵大树倒了下来。 A large tree toppled to the ground with a mighty crash. (转译为介词宾语) www.wondershare.com

Her heart went pit-a-pat. 小溪潺潺地向前流去。 The stream flows babbling on. 3．做句子的状语： 她的心在扑扑/噗噗直跳。 Her heart went pit-a-pat. 小溪潺潺地向前流去。 The stream flows babbling on. 他的一双小脚嗒嗒地向前走。 His small feet went pattering forward. 门在他身后嘭的一声关上了。 The door banged closed after him. (转译为谓语) www.wondershare.com

The rain pattered all the night. (转译为谓语) “没有水了“，他喃喃地说道。 雨整夜在滴滴嗒嗒地下个不停。 The rain pattered all the night. (转译为谓语) “没有水了“，他喃喃地说道。 “No water left,” he muttered. (转译为谓语) 一辆骡车轱辘轱辘地走国高低不平的车道。 A male-drawn cart rumbled down the rough street. (转译为谓语) www.wondershare.com

一个蚊子哼哼哼。两个苍蝇嗡嗡嗡。（《红楼梦》） 4．做句子的谓语（比较少见） 一个蚊子哼哼哼。两个苍蝇嗡嗡嗡。（《红楼梦》） A mosquito hums and hums. Two flies drone and drone. 车辚辚，马萧萧。 Chariots rumble and roll; Horses whinny and neigh. 秋风飒飒。 The autumn wind is soughing in the trees. www.wondershare.com

Trucks were rumbling along the road. 卡车沿公路隆隆前行。 英语较多见： Their swords clashed. 他们的剑互击发出铿锵声。 Trucks were rumbling along the road. 卡车沿公路隆隆前行。 The room rang as he shouted. 他的喊声把屋子震得嗡嗡响。 Squibs spluttered. 小鞭炮毕毕剥剥地响了起来。 www.wondershare.com

A north wind is whistling. (转译为谓语) 碟子碗碰得丁丁当当的。 5．作补语，但比较少见，例如： 被风吹得呼呼的。 A north wind is whistling. (转译为谓语) 碟子碗碰得丁丁当当的。 The dishes and bowls slid together with a clatter. (转译为介词宾语) www.wondershare.com

The crack of rifles broke the silence. 步枪的砰砰声划破了寂静。 6．作主语（英语有，汉语无） The crack of rifles broke the silence. 步枪的砰砰声划破了寂静。 A buzz of conversation sprang up. 一阵交谈的叽叽喳喳声响了起来。 The clatter of horses’ hoofs caught their attention. 马蹄的嗒嗒声引起了他们的注意。 www.wondershare.com

We heard the whirr of the spinning wheel. 我们听到了纺车的嗡嗡声。 7．作宾语（英语有，汉语无） We heard the whirr of the spinning wheel. 我们听到了纺车的嗡嗡声。 He tried his best to stop the excited buzz of conversation in the meeting room. 他竭尽全力来制止会议室内人们热烈交谈的叽叽喳喳声。 She hates the pit-a-pat of the abacus balls. 她讨厌算盘珠子发出的哗里叭啦声。 www.wondershare.com

A bear/ A wolf/ A tiger growls. 熊/狼/虎咆哮。 A dog barks/ snarls/bays. 模仿动物声音的拟声词： A buffalo boos. 水牛哞哞叫。 A cow moos. 母牛哞侔叫。 A bear/ A wolf/ A tiger growls. 熊/狼/虎咆哮。 A dog barks/ snarls/bays. 狗汪汪叫/ 狗吠。 www.wondershare.com

A bee/A fly/A mosquito hums. 蜜蜂/苍蝇/蚊子嗡嗡叫。 A cat miaows/ mews. 猫喵喵叫。 A pig grunts. 猪咕噜咕噜声/猪哼哼。 A bird / A cricket chirps. 小鸟/ 蟋蟀叽叽喳喳地叫。 www.wondershare.com

A chick / A cicada cheeps. 小鸡唧唧叫/ 蝉鸣。 A hen cackles/ chucks/ chuckles. A cock crow. 公鸡喔喔叫。 A chick / A cicada cheeps. 小鸡唧唧叫/ 蝉鸣。 A hen cackles/ chucks/ chuckles. 母鸡咯咯叫。 A horse neighs. 马嘶。 www.wondershare.com

A dove coos. 鸽子咕咕叫。 A duck quacks. 鸭子呱呱叫。 An eagle screams. 鹰尖声鸣叫。 A fog/ A crow croaks. 青蛙/乌鸦呱呱叫。 www.wondershare.com

“轰—轰—轰轰”，巨大的爆炸声从山后那边滚滚而来。 Translating Skills: 1. 对等译 “Boom…boom…boom-boom” the thunderous sound rolled in from the other side of the mountain. “轰—轰—轰轰”，巨大的爆炸声从山后那边滚滚而来。 www.wondershare.com

The car chugged with difficulty up the winding road. 小汽车呼哧呼哧，艰难地开上了盘旋曲折的山路。 除了远处一架钢琴的叮当叮当声外，万籁俱寂。 All was quiet and still except for the distant tinkling of a piano. www.wondershare.com

他听见一种沙沙的声音，就突然问道，“什么声音？”接着他俩都抬头望去。 2. 转类译(词性转换) The cart rumbled past. 搭车轱辘辘（地）开了过去。 “What’s that?” he suddenly exclaimed, hearing a rustle; and they both looked up. 他听见一种沙沙的声音，就突然问道，“什么声音？”接着他俩都抬头望去。 www.wondershare.com

The center door creaks half-open. 正中的门“呀”地开了一半。 A north wind is whistling. 北风吹得呼呼得。 www.wondershare.com

Thunder roared and rumbled in the black night sky. 黑暗的夜空中雷声轰鸣作响。 3. 匹配译 Thunder roared and rumbled in the black night sky. 黑暗的夜空中雷声轰鸣作响。 The racing train rumbled on. 飞驰的火车隆隆向前开去。 www.wondershare.com

The young man’s stomach rumbled with hunger. 那位年轻人饥肠辘辘。（肚子饿得咕咕叫） The old woman rumbled to herself as she went out. 那位老妇人嘟嘟哝哝地走了出去。 www.wondershare.com

4. 拟声词非拟声译 英文的拟声词在汉语中笼统地以“…声”或“…响”来表达 We heard the machines whirr. The train whistle tooted. www.wondershare.com

We heard the machines whir(急速旋转的呼呼声). 我们听到了机器的轰鸣声。 The train whistle tooted(嘟嘟声). 火车汽笛声响了。 www.wondershare.com

Her heart was beating fast. 杰克几乎倒头便呼呼睡了。（做状语） 她的心在扑通扑通地跳个不停。（做状语） Her heart was beating fast. 杰克几乎倒头便呼呼睡了。（做状语） Jack felt asleep almost immediately. 小孩扑通一声落到水中。（做状语） The child fell into the river. 雨在哗哗地下着。（做状语） It was raining hard. 木柴在火中哔哔剥剥烧的正旺。（做状语） The logs were burning briskly in the fire. www.wondershare.com

英语中有些动物的专有拟声词，译成可以译成拟声词或不译都可，视上下文而定。 The frogs in the fields outside the town were croaking cheerfully. 青蛙在郊外的田野里（咕呱咕呱）起劲地叫着。 www.wondershare.com

The cock in the coop crowed its first round. 鸡笼里的雄鸡已（喔喔）叫了头遍了。 The train puffed towards Beijing from Shanghai. 火车（噗噗地）从上海开往北京。（此处“噗噗”还是不加为好） www.wondershare.com

他在山里骑马时迷了路，由于整整一天没有吃东西，现在感觉饥肠辘辘。 5. 非拟声词拟声译 He had lost his way when riding in the mountains, and after a day without food he began to grow hungry. 他在山里骑马时迷了路，由于整整一天没有吃东西，现在感觉饥肠辘辘。 www.wondershare.com

He fell asleep almost immediately when the he lay down. 他几乎一躺下就呼呼睡着了。 We don’t know why the kids are crying loudly over there.  我们不明白为什么孩子们在那边哇哇大哭。 www.wondershare.com

The cock in the yard crowed its first round. (拟声词做谓语) 一辆马车从街上走过。 院子里的雄鸡已经叫头遍了。 The cock in the yard crowed its first round. (拟声词做谓语) 一辆马车从街上走过。 A horse-drawn cart was creaking along the street. (拟声词做谓语) 他们一路踏着泥水向村子去。 They splashed through the mire to the village. (做谓语) 我敲打水壶。 I clanked the kettle. (拟声词做谓语) www.wondershare.com

He banged the boy’s head against the wall , repeatedly. 他一进门，鸡也叫，狗也咬。 他揪住小孩的头往墙上重重地碰了几下。 He banged the boy’s head against the wall , repeatedly. 他一进门，鸡也叫，狗也咬。 The moment he rushed in, the hens chucked and the dogs barked. 田里的青蛙在起劲地叫着。 The frogs in the fields were croaking cheerfully. (做谓语) www.wondershare.com

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