2.3.1.2 Lexical Disparities As English belongs to branches of Indo-European language family and Chinese belongs to Sino-Tibetan language family, there are quite lots of differences between them in terms of lexical aspect. Generally speaking, lexical disparities between the two languages can be seen in the following aspects:
1)The first aspect is lexical meaning unsymmetry ,which means there is no symmetric vocabulary or counterpart between the two languages. For example, in Chinese,“酒”can be divided into several kinds, such as “葡萄酒”，“威士忌” and “啤酒”. Here, “酒” is superordinate, while “葡萄酒”，“威士忌” and “啤酒” are hyponyms. In English we can find counterpart of those hyponyms. However, the superordinate “酒” has no symmetry. Therefore, the phrase like “酒文化” is hard to translate in English[8]. Another example of lexical meaning unsymmetry is in verb category. Take “carry” for instance. In English, its basic meaning is moving something from one place to another. It is often translated into Chinese as “挑”, “运”, “背” and “扛”. Actually, those words in Chinese have different meaning separately: “挑”----to carry something with a pole “运”----to carry something from one place to another with ship, truck, etc. “背”----to carry something on one's back “扛”----to carry something on one's shoulder. These four characters are different from the basic meaning of “carry”, to some degree. Strictly speaking, there is no counterpart or symmetry between English and Chinese [8].Lexical meaning unsymmetry is closely related with culture. 2) Lexical absence is another aspect of lexical disparities. For instance, in Chinese vocabulary, some terms are connected with history, such as “还愿”，“来世”，“太极”，“惊蛰”. In translation practice, these words are hard to deal with. Specific nouns of organization and activities can also bring the lexical absence, such as “马褂”, “糖葫芦”, “红卫兵”, “造反派”. In specialized field translation, such as financial field, equivalents are difficult to find in some vocabularies, such as “forward exchange transaction”, “monetary futures transaction” and “monetary exchange transaction”. Some people translate them into “外汇远期交易”，“货币期货交易”，“货币期权交易”，however, it is still not accurate. With the development of society, new vocabularies will appear constantly, which brings more lexical absence, such as “安居工程”, “豆腐渣工程”, “定向生”, “二级学院”.[8]
2.3.1.3 Grammatical Disparities Grammar is the law of language organization. Grammar disparity is the most important one between English and Chinese. Hypotaxis and parataxis are two basic vehicles in language organization. The American Heritage Dictionary defined hypotaxis as this: “the dependent or subordinate construction or relationship of clauses with connectives, for example, I shall despair if you don't come”. In The World Book Dictionary, parataxis is defined like this: “the arranging of clauses one after the other without connectives showing the relation between them. Example: The rain fell; the river flooded; the house washed away”.[9] Generally speaking, English is mainly hypotactic, while Chinese is basically paratactic. English sentences are comparatively precise, using cohesive devices frequently. It pays much attention to the logical relationship between words, clauses and sentences focusing on overt cohesion. On the other hand, Chinese sentences are much looser, rarely using cohesive devices. It makes a unity by contextual meaning, which keeps logical relations between sentences. It runs smoothly, with comparative loose form but precise meaning. Chinese sentences focus on covert coherence much more[10]. For example: 1)他为人随和，兴趣广泛，这使他结交了许多朋友。 English version: He is easy-going and has a variety of interests, which has enabled him to make a lot of friends[11]. As a paratactic language, the logic relationship of the origin is not clear. When we ranslate it into English, it is necessary to show the logical relationship between phrases. nowing such disparity between Chinese and English is of great significance and helpful in translation practice.2)更为糟糕的是，以美国为首的北约还悍然用导弹袭击中国驻南联盟大使馆，杀害3名中国新闻记者，造成使馆馆舍严重破坏，严重侵犯了中国主权和人权[13]。English version: Worse still, the US-led NATO went so far as to flagrantly launch missile attacks against the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia, killing three Chinese journalists and seriously damaging embassy buildings, an act in gross violation of Chinese sovereignty and human rights[12].The original version is a typical example of parataxis: with lots of verbs and runs smoothly. However, in English, it is confined to have only one predicative verb. In order to translate the long Chinese sentence into a logical English sentence, it is vital to analyze the origin: find out a major verb to serve as predicative verb and transfer other verbs into non-predicative verb with the usage of conjunctions so as to make English version with clear logic relationship.
2.3.2 Cultural Disparity
Culture and language are in a dialectical relationship. “Every language is part of culture”, and “it cannot but serve and reflect cultural needs”. However, “language is not a passive reflection of culture” .[7] “The disparities in national culture are necessary reflected by diverse language” .[6]
2.3.2.1 Disparity in Geographic Condition and Environment Owing to different geographic condition and environment, west countries and China have developed different culture. Language is originated from environment, to some degree. For example, China is rich in bamboo, and bamboo culture has developed rapidely. There are idioms like “敲竹杠”, “竹篮打水一场空”， “势如破竹”，“雨后春笋”，“青梅竹马”，“胸有成竹”. Some poems also get associated with bamboo like this:“竹色君子德，猗猗寒更绿”. However, English has no such vehicles. In translation, we have to introduce other vehicles or totally give up rhetorical devices. For instance, “雨后春笋” spring up like mushrooms “青梅竹马” the game of childhood.
As an island, Britain has greatly developed in shipping, fishing and related industries. Therefore, there adds lots of vocabularies in this field, owing to life experience, such as “plain sailing”, “to catch the boat”, “all at the sea”, “in the same boat”. In English, water, fish and sea has special connotation, such as “a big fish”, “by water”, “go to sea”, “a cool fish” .[13]
2.3.2.2 Disparity in Values and Belief Value and belief constitute an important part in culture. Chinese and westerners are living in different social background, having their own history and religion. Therefore, disparity in value and belief is inevitable. For example, Buddhism in Chinese custom is a belief tracing back to thousands of years ago. Some vocabularies in Chinese are related with Buddhism, such as “平时不烧香”, “临时时抱佛脚”, “借花献佛”, “放下屠刀,立地成佛”, “救人一命，胜造七级佛屠”，“五体投地”，“大慈大悲”. These vocabularies reflect the influence of Buddhism. Nervertheless, in the western countries, people have been more influenced by Christianity. Phrases like “Man proposes, God disposes”, “God help those who help themselves”, are typical examples. As far as animal vocabularies are concerned, the value of Chinese and westerners are quite different. Take “dog” for instance, Chinese have little favor to dogs, and often use them to guard the door. In their concepts, dogs have nothing to praise, therefore, vocabularies with dogs often have derogatory connotations, such as “狗腿子”, “狗急跳墙”, “狐朋狗友”, “狼心狗肺”，“狗眼看人低”，“狗嘴里吐不出象”. Whereas, in western countries, owing to dogs' loyalty, courage and intelligence, people regard dogs as their favorite and loyal friends and give fine honor to them. They love dogs and show their love in language, such as “love me, love my dog”(爱屋及乌)，“lucky dog”(幸运儿), “every dog has his day”(人人都有得意的时候)。
3 Untranslatability of Classical Chinese Poetry (CCP)转贴于 酷文网-论文下载中心 http://www.coolwen.net
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