The Linguist

22 The Linguist Vol/63 No/2 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist FEATURES Aakanksha Chahar on the challenges of translating idioms I dioms, those colourful expressions deeply rooted in culture and history, present both a challenge and an opportunity for translators. Idioms such as 'raining cats and dogs' and 'spill the beans' are ubiquitous in English, each carrying a unique meaning that extends beyond the literal interpretation of its words. Similarly, Japanese idioms like 猫の額 (neko no hitai; lit. 'cat's head'), which refers to a tiny space, are rooted in cultural values and historical contexts (in this case, of modesty and minimalism). The importance of idiomatic translation lies in its ability to preserve cultural richness, enhance cross-cultural communication and convey subtle emotional nuances that may be lost in literal interpretations. Where a parallel idiom is available, it is usually better to use it. For example, the English idiom 'kick the bucket' has a parallel idiom in Japanese: 骨を折る (hone o oru; lit. 'break bones'). We can break down the challenges of idiomatic translation into six key areas: 1. Recognising idioms Due to their inherent complexity, deciphering idioms poses a significant challenge, requiring an understanding of their cultural and contextual significance. For instance, the Japanese idiom 花より団子 (hana yori dango) literally means 'dumplings rather than flowers' but implies valuing substance over style. Indicators which serve as clues for identifying idiomatic expressions include incongruity, unusual words and stylistic deviations. 2. Ambiguity and modification One of the inherent complexities lies in the potential ambiguity of idioms, which have both literal and figurative meanings. Authors may also modify idioms for emphasis or creative effect, compounding the challenges for translators. 猫舌 (nekojita; lit. 'cat tongue') is modified in the phrase 猫舌が三角になる (nekojita ga sankaku ni naru), where 三角にな る (sankaku ni naru; 'to become triangular') intensifies the idiomatic meaning ('sensitive tongue') to describe extreme sensitivity to hot food. In English, 'bite the bullet' is sometimes modified as 'bite the silver bullet', amplifying the notion of enduring hardship or adversity. 3. Emotional and tonal connotations Idioms carry emotional nuances that resonate deeply with native speakers. Translating these nuances accurately preserves the emotional impact of the source text. For instance, 雨降 って地固まる (ame futte jiko katamaru; lit. 'after the rain, the ground hardens') conveys resilience and strength in adversity. A nuanced translation might be 'adversity builds character', capturing the emotional resonance while maintaining clarity in English. Furthermore, idioms often evoke specific emotions or sentiments that are culturally significant. Consider 涙を飲む (namida o nomu; lit. 'to swallow one's tears'), which conveys the act of suppressing one's emotions or enduring hardship without showing weakness. A possible equivalent in English is 'to keep a stiff upper lip'. When translating such idioms, capturing the underlying emotional connotations is essential. 4. Challenges of untranslatability Where no direct equivalent exists, skilled translators must navigate this uncharted territory with creativity and ingenuity. A nuanced translation of 猿も木から落ちる (saru mo ki kara ochiru; lit. 'even monkeys fall from trees'), which signifies that everyone makes mistakes, might be 'nobody's perfect', capturing the idiom's universal wisdom while adapting it to English-speaking contexts. Moreover, idiomatic expressions often rely on cultural references or contexts that may not have direct counterparts in other languages. In Japanese, 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (koketsu ni irazunba koji o ezu; lit. 'if you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not catch its cub') emphasises the importance of taking risks to achieve success. A parallel idiom in English is 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. Translators must consider cultural differences while finding creative solutions. 5. Machine translation Machine translation has made significant strides in bridging language barriers, but it often misses idiomatic expressions. The literal translations produced require extra work in proofreading, editing and revisions by professional translators. 6. Selecting a strategy There are various techniques available to translators and selecting the most appropriate one for any given idiom can be tricky. Consider the idiom 二兎を追う者は一兎をも 得ず (nito o ou mono wa itto o mo ezu; lit. 'one who chases two hares catches neither'). Its vivid imagery emphasises the folly of attempting multiple tasks simultaneously. A parallel translation like 'Jack of all trades, master of none' could be used to maintain the engaging quality while imparting the intended meaning. Such an idiom can be confusing for the translator because it is possible to achieve a translation that is as lively and engaging as the source text through either a literal IDIOMATIC SHIFTS

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