Introduction

The color is a kind of human being's aesthesia in the objective world (Jianghong, 1999). Whatever possesses in the nature or in social life, various colors exist. The so-called " beautiful world " or " colorful life " proves that people's actual life is closely related to color in which people live.

Scientific research indicates that seven million kinds of colors can be found in the world. However, color expressions are only limited to several hundreds in classification. The number of words for expressing color in languages of various nationalities differs and its classification varies as well. ^[1]

English and Chinese Expressions on Colors can be categorized into three kinds: Firstly, the major colors in the natural world, such as red、blue、green、white、purple、gray、brown、black and so on; Secondly¹, color expressions on objects, which are commonly associated with gold、silver、orange and blue; Thirdly, compound color expressions which can be found that are related to lead-gray、fish-belly-gray、waxy-yellow、orange-red and other colors ,too.^[2]　

1  Translation of English and Chinese Expressions on Colors

Many color vocabularies are expressed both in English and Chinese. However, the color expressions in English and Chinese have great differences. Therefore, the expressions on colors between the two languages can't be briefly² and equivalently translated. Instead, it needs to be translated specifically according to certain conditions along with a flexible way. As a result, it is urgent for us to avoid making wrong translation word by word. The translation methods of different English and Chinese color expressions are as follows:

1.1  Literal Translation

Literal translation means that translators should try their best to keep the language style of the original work. Meanwhile it requires the target language to be smooth and easy to understand.

Take the major colors as an example, the meanings of them in two languages are quite similar in the natural world. Red, yellow, blue, green, black, white, purple, dust and brown can be translated in literal translation. For instance, the blue sky is the same as it is arranged in Chinese language. Another example is that he wears a black coat. This English sentence is exactly arranged in the order of Chinese-expression.

While translating the symbol meanings of the major color expressions, if in a certain linguistic³ context, a certain color word having the same symbolic⁴ meaning in two languages, can be translated in literal translation. Cite an example: African nations going red. This English sentence can be arranged in the word formation in Chinese in different order. Red power. This English phrase is expressed exactly in the same order of Chinese one.

On the other hand, we can take equivalent method of literal translation to translate color expressions on objects both in English and Chinese languages. For example: The phrases " Grass green " and the following English sentence are both expressed in the similar situation in its counterpart language of Chinese: But one afternoon I was walking across the yard and stopped to pick up an acorn⁵—one acorn, nut brown, glossy⁶, cool to touch; …

1.2  Free Translation

Free translation means that the translator focuses on the most significant part of the text while leaving out the insignificant⁷ part for flexibility⁸. In a word, free translation does not pay attention to the style of the original text, including the structure of the sentence, the use of words, metaphor⁹ and other tropes.

In view of color phrase translation, the expression form of some color sentences differs greatly. And the metaphor used in original language does not accord with the usage of original word. Take " look at the world through rose-colored glasses " from the sentence " When Anna graduated from high school, she looked at the world through rose-colored glasses. " for example, the phrase " Look at the world through rose-colored glasses " means " see the problems too optimistically ", literal translation will be: " …to have on the rose-colored glasses", readers do not understand what it means. If this sentence is translated in literal translation, readers will be lost and unable to grasp the key points or main ideas. Therefore, we must adopt free translation and show readers clearly the real meaning for the expression. ^[3]

On the other hand, some color words have the amplifying¹⁰ meaning. For this purpose, we can totally neglect the color expressions of the original text, and translate them with proper words according to the meaning of the original text. For instance: "a green hand" and "pink slip" are correctly translated.^[4]

In contrast, in the process of translating the symbol meaning of major color expressions, if under a certain linguistic context with symbolic meaning of a certain color bearing different implications in two languages, we need to take the approach of free translation. " Her visit came out of the blue. " " The store is running in the blue. "And "He is so black as he is painted. " These three sentences are the typical samples.

As to color expressions on objects usually used in one kind of language rather than in another kind of language, we cannot find another color expressions on objects to express them in target language. At this time, we’d better take free translation or express them by major color expressions. " Cherry lips " just can be translated by major color expressions. " Small features, very fair " from " …small features, very fair; flaxen ringlets, or rather golden, hanging loosely on her delicate neck… " All these examples need to be translated in free translation.

1.3  Dynamic Equivalence Translation

Dynamic equivalence translation means that it is to make every effort to reach flexibility and equivalence, which enables foreign readers to get roughly the same feeling as original text readers. In order to keep the form of original work, every effort should be made to maintain the original content, style, emotion and artistic¹² conception including the literal and implying meaning. Target language is smooth and equivalent in meaning and style. While differing greatly in bilingual contexts, translators can make great changes in using words and structures.

When translator translates Chinese basic color " dark、white、red and yellow " to describe the weather, face and complexion¹³ of people, it is necessary to use different basic color expressions in different languages according to the concretely descriptive object and instance. Take the Chinese word " black " for example, it is expressed by different aspects in English:

" Dark " from " It's getting dark. " and " brown " from " His face is brown." Both can be translated into " black " .

Take another example of the Chinese word " white ":

In " He is pale with fear. " and " His face turned green at the sight. ", we can feel that " his face becomes white because of fear " in different English expressions.

These words below can be translated into Chinese word for " yellow ":

" He has a yellow face. " and " golden hair " both refer to Chinese expressions for " yellow ".

1.4  Borrowed Translation

A certain object may represent a certain color in one language, but there is not a same case in another language. So we have to seek the matching object in target language. For instance:

" Opal-colored " and " raven¹⁴ hair " need to be translated in borrowed translation.

1.5  Amplified¹⁵ Translation

While translating the major color expressions, though some words can describe colors, we can't translate them directly. Instead, it should be translated according to the culture background of the language, For instance: white Christmas in English will be translated into Chinese for expressing the color of the festival in its atmosphere.

1.6  Selection and Translation According to the Match

In Chinese, there are several major color expressions. One of the words can point several kinds of colors. While translating this kind of words into English, the translators should confirm its concrete meaning in colors according to matching as priority, and then translate it into the corresponding English expressions in color. For instance:

   The " green " from " green vegetables " and " green pines " can be translated into two kinds of different colors.

1.7  According to Sanctified Usage, Translate one Kind of Color Into Another Kind

   In English and Chinese cultures, sometimes people have different perception to the same object. Therefore they have different understandings of the same color in its meaning. And then it causes that different phrases reveal the same kind of color, such as  " pink eyes " and " black and blue ".

   In addition, some nouns should de added to the color expressions while translating into Chinese, for instance:

   When we translate " cucumber " and " soybean ", we should use yellow as well.

2  Comparison of English and Chinese Expressions on Colors

2.1  On the Relation Between Yellow and Social Cultural Ideology¹⁶ to Compare the English Color Expressions With Chinese

   The nature is varicolored. The color will produce specific meaning in the minds of people, and cause specific association and inspire the special response; this is social intension of the color. In this way, the color is no longer an objective material, but turn into the abstract symbolic color, immerge in dyeing body of culture. ^[5] There are many color expressions, which reflect different culture psychologies¹⁷ and emotional colorings both in Chinese and English. Especially in Chinese, there are rich and colorful color words since ancient times. There are the same in English. Many color expressions reflect the Western customs as well.  According to comparison between the Chinese color expressions and the English, we talk about the relations between the color " yellow " and its ideology of social culture.

   The yellow is the representative color of Chinese nation from ancient times, and also one of the colors, which Chinese nationality advocates. In ancient times, the yellow symbolized¹⁸ such cultural meaning as the sacredness, imperial power, honor, loftiness, solemnity, land, territory, etc. Zhu Xi, a great thinker, said in Song Dynasty: " Countenance¹⁹ of the central soil. " So the yellow symbolizes²⁰ central imperial power and the state, at the same time it signifies the land of everything grows. Besides, one of the first ancestors in Chinese nationally-- Xuanyuan emperor had " the lucky of soil morality ". It was said that he often wore the yellow crown, so the yellow became the emperor's favorite color later. Chinese officials wore more yellow robes in ancient times, thus forbade common people to wear the yellow clothes. " Acclaimed²¹ emperor " means that " coup²² succeeds, capture regime ".

   The Yellow River Basin that life multiplies from ancient times is the birthplace of the Han nationality’s culture in China. So we call the Yellow River the cradle of Chinese nation, a cradle that fosters Chinese culture. In the Chinese drama facial art, the yellow represents the bold or capable personality, such as the complexion of Huanggai, Dianwei etc. in the Three Kingdoms for instance.

   The derogatory sense of Chinese yellow color is from outside. Originally yellow has no meaning of corruption²³ and degeneration. After introduced to China, the yellow has the meaning such as being reactionary²⁴, pornographic, obscene and etc. Therefore it has produced a set of words including derogatory sense for the color itself. In recent years, the government calls and removes the public hazards in the society to " eradicate²⁵ pornography ", then appears one batch²⁶ of new words made up by " yellow " again, for instance: Huang Yuan, yellow goods, pornographic den¹¹ and yellow tide. But sometimes " yellow " is used for pointing the meaning of " failure ", too. If the love between men and women is over, they can say the affair is " yellow ". If one thing is unable to succeed, we can say: This is " yellow ".

Now let us have a look at the yellow cultural intension in English. Yellow’s derogatory sense color stems from U.S.A. Since the 18th century, U.S.A. mostly has used yellow colored paper to print and publish some books and periodicals with low taste, so we called the pornographic books and periodicals (yellow press). In American English, yellow journalism²⁸ means yellow style of running a newspaper to attract readers with characters or sensational²⁹ report of low taste. Furthermore, besides basic meaning, yellow word has the meaning of " jealous ", " suspect ", " timid ", and " coward ". If a person is yellow-belly, that is to say " the coward ".

    If one had been " yellow ", he or she must have lost the courage (A person who is " yellow " has no courage). Yellow is also often used for the suggestion and warning. Yellow alert refers to the preparing warning of air raids. Among the football match, yellow card refers to the warning of your foul³⁰. In the past, if passengers suffered from the yellow fever in oceangoing steamship³¹, a kind of yellow signal flag (yellow jack) would rise soon.

2.2  From the metaphor meaning of the English and Chinese color expressions in accordance with their cultures in the two languages. 

In the course of university English teaching in the past seven years, many people keep in touch with a large number of English teaching materials, and they can come across the colors showing metaphor meaning frequently. What does " green with envy " mean in English? Does jealousy³² or envy make eyes become blue and green? He was in a blue mood. How shall we explain it? Is his mood happy or sad?

　　Quite obviously, the color expressions mentioned above have not already been objective, but has been endowed with the culture atmosphere in depth. According to the dictionary, the word " green " means " (face) become green "; and " green with envy " which belongs to the regular phrase match means " envying very much ". While being used to reflect the mood, the words of blue and mood in the second example show " melancholy³³ ". This sentence should be translated into " His mood is very low ".

In fact, these kinds of color expressions that react to psychology³⁴ of people or words of emotional color are too numerous to be mentioned in Chinese. According to the associated meaning and metaphor, we compare English bilingual culture with Chinese.

　　According to Chinese and English bilingual cultures, the " white " association in people’s mind is rather similar: holy, pure, clean, and honest. For example, there are " innocent ", " pure white such as the jade³⁵ ", " hospital nurse ", " telling the truth and will receive a lighter³⁶ sentence ", etc. that expression in Chinese. " A white soul " expresses " pure soul " in English. And what does " a white lie " mean?  It means " no hostile lie ", namely because of courtesy to compile pieces of excuse to tell lies but no intention of cheating others. Between Chinese and English bilingual cultures, " white " also has the meaning of " pale, white ". For example, “(as) white as a sheet” means " the face is pale " because of being frightened or shocked; (as) white as snow mean " white, extremely white ".

" White " is used to be a taboo³⁷ word basically in Chinese traditional culture. And it is a symbol of death and ill omen²⁷. When a relative dies, the family members wear the white clothing in order to show grief. In the feudal³⁸ society, the white is the common people's favorite color. From Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, " white clothing " means ordinary people, " commoner " means the person who has no scholarly honor of official rank. ^[6]
　　Most westerners feel obscure about the " white " word in Chinese " weddings and funerals ". You had better not translate two color of " red ", " white " at all, only to say " wedding and funerals " (happy event and bereavement³⁹; or the wedding and funeral). Because when Westerners hold the wedding, a bride always wears white dress. Linking the white to bereavements will cause scunner; if funerals are called as happy occasions, Westerners will feel startled, though this kind of statement reflects Chinese attitude to the death.
　　But in the course of translation from Chinese to English, some Chinese words with " white "don’t have their corresponding expressions in English, such as " Chinese cabbage ", " polar bear ", "termite⁴⁰". Besides in some occasions, " white " has nothing to do with color.  For example, using " for nothing " and " all in vain " to express " in vain ". In addition, " fool " should be translated into " idiot ", " vernacular⁴¹ " is the acceptable translation. In a word, we can see that the " white " does not always mean the white color.

2.3  On the differences according to people's feel, expression and association meaning that red produce.

Color is a kind of visual effect. Because the mankind has the same physiological⁴² mechanism⁴³ and vision nerve, the color words are no different in essence, theoretically. However, because of various language culture, historical background, religious belief, mode of thinking, aesthetic⁴⁴ temperament⁴⁵ and interest, etc. in different nationality, people's impression of color and expression are different, and the associative meaning produced by the color has nothing in common with each other. Now take an example of " red ":
　　Chinese nation advocates the red, shows favoritism to the red, the red is for joyous⁴⁶ as a main color. During the celebration, the Chinese highly hang the bright red lantern and stick the red couplets. At the victory meeting, the merit minister wears the red flower, wrap around the red ribbon. And his name is on the honor board. In traditional wedding, the Chinese stick the red " happiness " word, and bride wear red robe. In addition, the red glitters here and there in the bridal chamber⁴⁷. As for words and expressions, there are " favorite follower⁴⁸, covert⁴⁹ payment, dividend⁵⁰, good luck, glowing with health ". But if we translate " favorite follower " into a red man or a red person, English readers will be baffled, just because there are some differences in the usage of the color words between English nationality and Chinese nationality. Here red no longer means the red color. We should precisely⁵¹ translate it into " a favorite with somebody in power " according to Chinese meaning. As similar as follows: Honor roll, extra dividend, good luck, one's face glowing with health, etc. In a lot of English countries, the red is the color of fire and blood; it means to dedicate oneself to the faith and universal fraternity. For instance: in liturgy⁵² wearing the red is to express the holy love; a church is decorated with the red for holy god’s come or cherishing the memory of martyrs⁵³. The derogatory sense of red is quite strong in western culture, which is mostly used to express " danger, anger, urgency ". For instance: Get into the red (present the deficit⁵⁴), see red (angry, get angry), red-blooded (crude and rash, intrepid), red-hand (the criminal caught in the act, bleeding), red light (show the danger). Businessmen are unwilling⁵⁵ to see red word, because deficit and in debt are expressed with red, such as red ink (deficit), He is red. (He is debt-ridden). There are a lot of idioms including red in English to reflect the specific historical and geographical⁵⁶ background. For example, redneck originally points " [pedagogue] (southern peasants of U.S.A.): Countryside man ", now this word is amplified for " reactionary "; its adjective form is redneck. Red Nose Day refers to a day on which an appeal is made for donations for research into sudden infant death syndrome⁵⁷, marked by the distribution of plastic red noses to donors⁵⁸, namely, "the day of soliciting⁶⁰ contributions for the sudden infant death syndrome". The persons who solicit⁵⁹ contributions will distribute the red plastic nose that day, because the specific incident is their custom. If we translate it into " red nose ", not only do we lose the real reflection to the incident, but also make Chinese readers misunderstand it into " acne roscoe ".
　　" Tea " in Chinese is translated into “cha”, but " red tea " in Chinese is black tea in English. At this time, we should translate " red " into black but not red. Studying carefully its reason, in Chinese we call it " red " according to the tea color, in English we call it " black " according to the color of the tea leaves. In the same way, " blue pepper steak " in " john claims his blue pepper steak takers only 45 seconds to prepare " refers that the pepper ox is cooked extremely softly. In Chinese when the meat is undercooked, commonly it is expressed by the words " with the blood ", not by " blue ". Besides, there are many other examples in English, such as " She ordered in to be served blue ". All of these differences are caused by English and Chinese people’s different points of view to observe things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Besides the above-mentioned differences, English and Chinese color expressions differ in many other aspects. For example, in the aesthetic standard, Chinese women hope they own fair and delicate skin. But in the eyes of Western women, being dark in complete red is considered to be healthy while bearing fair color is representing poverty and diseases. ^[7]

As international exchanges happen frequently and constantly, we should grasp and research different color expressions and scientific translation methods between English and Chinese, which will play a positive role in improving our translation skills, promoting international mutual⁶¹ understanding and winning better cooperation.

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgement

 

I would like to express my deep gratitude⁶² to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis. A special acknowledgement should first be shown to Professor Liu, who has been my constant consultant⁶³ in my writing this essay, and this thesis would not have been possible without his help. If there are any errors, they are not his, but all mine.  

In addition, I would like to give my thanks to my family, my classmates and my friends, for their kind help and valuable advice to my writing.

Finally, I wish to extend my thanks to the library assistants who supplied me with reference materials of great value.

 

 

 

Reference

1  包惠南．文化语境与语言翻译．[M]．北京：中国对外翻译出版公司，2001

2  陈宏薇．新实用汉译英教程．[M]．湖北：湖北教育出版社，1996.

3  范仲英．实用英语翻译．[M]．北京：外语教学与研究出版社，1994：171

4  http://www.psyczx.com/update/10/31/c.htm

5  简易民．汉语和英语颜色词的文化分析．[J]．大理学院学报，2003（7）

6  孙雪波．英汉语颜色词的使用与翻译．[J]．宁波广播电视大学学报，第2期．2004年6月

7  张慧军．英汉文化习俗差异与翻译．[J]．陕西教育学院学报，2000（5）.

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