一、直译法
由于大多数谚语都是采用生动形象的比喻,只要是在考生能理解的范围内,都应该尽量使用直译法,把原文的内容、形式和精神都输入到译文中去,给阅读者以“原汁原味”的感觉。例如:
1、In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king. (盲人国中,独眼称雄。)
2、Half a loaf is better than no bread. (有半块面包总比没有好;聊胜于无)
3、As a long road tests a horse's strength, so a long task proves a person's heart. (路遥知马力,日久见人心。)
4、Barking dogs seldom bite. (吠犬不咬人。)
5、Don't do unto others what you don't want others do unto you. (己所不欲勿施于人。)
6、A wise fox will never rob his neighbour's hen roost. (聪明的狐狸,不偷邻里。)
二、意译法
也有一部分谚语由于英汉语言结构和文化背景的差异,无法进行直译。这时,我们就没必要追求原文的字面意义和形式了,而是把原文的内存含义译出来。如果硬是进行直译,反而会使译文读者不知所云,或使译文牵强附会。例如:
1、A good dog deserves a good bone. (有功者受赏。)
2、Every dog has his day. (凡人皆有得意日。)
3、When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war. (两雄相争,其斗必烈。)
4、Every man has a fool in his sleeve. (每个人都有糊涂的时候。)
5、A loss may turn out to be a gain. (塞翁失马,安知非福?)
6、A good conscience is a soft pillow. (不做亏心事,不怕鬼敲门。)
三、直译兼意译法
有些谚语既不好完全直译,也不好完全意译。这时就应该用直译兼意译法。例如:
1、Until all is over, ambition never dies. (不到黄河心不死。)
2、Lifting a rock only to have his own toes squashed. (搬起石头砸自己的脚。)
3、Birds of a feather flock together. (物以类聚。)
4、Man proposes, God disposes. (谋事在人,成事在天。)
5、Facts speak louder than words. (事实胜于雄辩。)
6、All occupations are base, only book-learning is exalted. (万般皆下品,唯有读书高。)
四、套译法
英语和汉语中有不少非常相似或相近的谚语。对这些对等或基本对等的谚语,我们可采用套译的方法,一方面可使译文更加通顺,另一方面更容易让人理解。例如:
1、Enough is as good as a feast. (知足常乐。)
2、A word spoken is past recalling. (一言既出,驷马难追。)
3、When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (入乡随俗)
4、Teach others by your example. (以身作则。)
5、What you lose on the swings you get back on the roundabouts. (失之东隅,收之桑榆)
6、Great minds think alike. (英雄所见略同。)