A Study of Animal Idiom Translation from the Perspective of Cultural DifferenceAbstract: There are a large number of idioms which contain animal images both in English and Chinese, they are emphasis and difficulty in translation. From cultural perspective, this paper firstly analyses the characteristics, similarities and differences and causes of the animal idioms in a cross-culture background, and explores the similarities and differences of its cultural connotation. Then systematically discusses the animal idioms translation skills, including literal translation, liberal translation, and substitution. The translators should adopt different translation methods in light of different circum stances in order not only to convey the original ideas accurately but also to make the translation in line with the Chinese thinking and the Chinese expression habit, make intercultural communication go smoothly.Key Words: cultural difference; animal idiom; translation skill 从文化差异角度谈动物习语的翻译摘要：英语和汉语中包含很多含有动物形象的习语,它们是翻译中的难点和重点。拟从文化角度，首先把中英动物习语放在跨文化背景下分析各自的特点、异同及其成因，就其文化内涵的异同做出探讨。接着系统地探讨动物习语的翻译技巧，包括直译法、意译法、替换法三种方法。在翻译中译者要根据具体的情况进行处理，使译文既能准确地传达原文思想，又符合中国人的思维和表达习惯，使跨文化交流顺利进行。关键词：文化差异；动物习语；翻译技巧 IContentsAbstract in EnglishIAbstract in ChineseII1. Introduction12. ABriefIntroductiontoTranslation, Culture,and Idioms22.1 Definitionof Culture22.2 Definition of Translation22.3 Definition of Idioms32.4 Classification of Idioms32.5 Sources of Idioms32.6 Relationship between Culture, Idioms and Translation43. StudyontheCulturalAspectsofEnglishandChinese AnimalIdioms53.1 Analysis of Culture Similarities and Differences between Chinese and English Animal Idioms53.1.1Complete Overlap in Culture Meaning of Same Animal in Chinese and English Animal Idioms53.1.2 Complete Differences in Culture Meaning of Same Animal in Chinese and English Animal Idioms53.1.3 The Same Culture Meaning of Different Animal in Chinese and English Animal dioms73.2 Analysis of the Reason for the Differences between Chinese and English Animal Idioms93.2.1 The Influence of Geographical Environment93.2.2 The Influence of Religious Belief103.2.3The Influence of Customs and Habits103.2.4 The Influence of Literature114. Suggested Different Methods on How to Translate Animal Idioms114.1 Literal Translation124.2 Free Translation124.3 Substitution134.4 Literal Translation plus Liberal Translation135. Conclusion14Bibliography16Acknowledgement171. IntroductionIdiom is a wonderful flower in the peoples language garden, is the treasure of national language and the crystal of culture. It is bearing the excellent cultural history. With the rapid development of economic globalization, cross-cultural communication is becoming more and more frequent. The status and role of idiom translation has been more and more prominent. As is known to all, English and Chinese languages have a lot of idioms about animals. As with other idioms, animal idioms not only reflect the different social and cultural characteristics, but also reflect the different social similarities between ethnic groups.Translation of animal idioms is not only the literal translation, but also the translation of culture. But sometimes it is hard to find a completely equivalent English expression when the translator in the translation of animal idioms. It brings a lot of obstacle to C-E translation and cross-cultural communication. So, probes into the cultural contrast and translation method of animal idioms have important practical significance. Through the comparison between Chinese and English animal culture, this is benefit to our translation and utilize of animal idioms, to avoid ambiguity and misunderstanding in communication.As a result, the thesis aims at making research at the characteristics, differences and similarities, and causes of Chinese and English animal idioms in a cross-culture background. And from cultural perspective explores the similarities and differences of its cultural connotation.The thesis is constructed in the following structure. Chapter one introduces the structure of this thesis, research objectives and significance. Chapter two is a briefintroductionofculture,idiomsandtranslation. Chapter three introduces the animal in the Chinese and English idioms have the same and different connotation, and analyses the culture cause of this difference. There are many animals in English and Chinese languages play an important role in their respective culture. Different animals have a very close relationship with theology and religion. Chapter four forces on the different methods on translate animal idioms. When translate an idiom, the translator have to translate the meaning of the original text and face the problem that how to handle the cultural elements contained in the idioms. Chapter five is summarize to the full thesis.2. ABriefIntroductiontoTransl