Cultural Differences between China and the Western Countries from the Translation of Chinese Zodiac Animals

Abstract

Chinese traditional zodiac culture boasts a long history. With the improvement of China’s international status and the vigorous promotion of Chinese national culture, zodiac culture has spread worldwide and become the common cultural wealth of all mankind. However, due to different cultural differences, part of the zodiac has not formed a unified translation. By analyzing the different English translations of partial animal zodiac words, this paper compares the different symbolic meanings of these animal words in the two languages, showing the cultural differences between Chinese and English and analyzing the causes of the differences, trying to shorten the gap between cultures and enable the world to have a deeper understanding of Chinese folk culture.