2.4 Paraphrase adding a note
To idioms with allusions, readers may be wondering about the stories related to them, though they know the meaning from the paraphrase. In this case, concise note is necessary to compensate the cultural differences and decrease cultural loss. This method should be cautiously used in the avoidance of tediousness and the explanatory notes are usually footnotes.

Worth one’s salt 称职 （脚注：古时用盐付工资，故言之。）
Damon and Pythias 莫逆之交 （脚注：达蒙和皮西阿斯是古意大利人，是莫逆之交的典范。）
Pour oil on troubled waters 平息风波 （脚注：传说航海遇到风浪，若把油倒入海里，可平息海浪。）
The heel of Achilles 唯一致命弱点
( 脚注：源于希腊神话，勇士Achilles小时由其母抓其足浸于圣水中，故其全身除足部外无致命之处。)
Cat’s paw被人利用的人 （脚注：源于寓言，猴骗猫火中取栗，猫爪烫伤，猴食栗。）

Nevertheless, translation methods are not fixed. One idiom may be translated in some different ways. Proper translations are to be chosen in consideration of various contexts and reader’s acceptability.

“Swan song” may be translated in three methods:
    Paraphrase: 最后作品
Metaphrase adding a note: 天鹅之歌，最后作品
    Paraphrase adding a note: 最后作品 （脚注：传说天鹅将死会发出悦耳鸣叫。）
“A bird in the hand worth two in the bush” has translations as follows:
Metaphrase:1) 双鸟在林不如一鸟在手。（A New English Chinese Dictionary, 112）
        2) 手中的一只鸟胜于枝头的两只鸟。
(Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English, 112)
    Paraphrase: 3) 赊三不敌现二。( Chen Wenbo, 26)

Chen’s paraphrase is loaded with Chinese culture. However, I would prefer metaphrased versions to retain the original culture massages. We may notice that the first translation is best for its vivid images and clearly expressed meanings. The second version is all right but not as concise as the first one.

Conclusion:

   Idioms may be translated in one way or another. One of translators’ purposes is to introduce the idioms into their culture and enrich their own culture. “Lose face” is originally a Chinese expression. But through translation into English, now it has become part of English language and is daily used by many native speakers of English.

   On the contrary, some English idioms, such as “to be led by the nose”, “new wine in old bottles” and “ to show one’s cards”, have been part of Chinese through proper translation.

To sum up, in successful translation of English idioms, translators need to cultivate their comprehensive knowledge on culture and enhance their skills and practice in translation.

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