Abstract：Kinship terms are “category words by means of which an individual is taught to recognize the significant groupings in the social structure into which he is born”(Leach,1985,p.143) The kinship term system, which is sanctified in a specific society in a long period of time, bears the typical characteristics rooted in a certain nation. Kinship terms not only reflect complicated relationships among peoples but also the social structures and cultures in different societies. China and the western coutries both have their own cultures and the social structures; Chinese and English languages have their unique kinship term systems, which sometimes can not be translated equivalently. This paper attempts to make a comparison between English and Chinese kinship terms and discusses their translations. First, the differences between English and Chinese kinship terms are analyzed from three points. Then, the author gives out reasons why there are many differeces between English and Chinese kinship terms. And finally three translation methods are discussed according to different situations.
Key words: kinship terms; contrastive studies; translation
中文摘要：亲属称谓是一个人在他成长的社会中用于区分重要的人群的一组词语。一个民族的亲属称谓系统是在长期的特定社会生活中约定俗成的产物，具有鲜明的文化特征和民族属性。亲属称谓不仅反映了人与人之间复杂的关系，也反映出不同社会的社会结构与文化。中国与西方国家都有自己专属的文化和社会结构。因此，中文与西方语言都有自己独一无二的亲属称谓系统，在翻译中无法做到一一对应。本文着重对中英亲属称谓作比较，并讨论其翻译方法。首先，本文将会从三方面对中英亲属称谓的差异进行分析。然后，将会探讨造成中英亲属称谓差异的原因。最后，根据不同的情况总结出几种翻译技巧。
关键词：亲属称谓；比较；翻译
