由于文化上的差异，英译汉时有时直译原文就会使译入语读者感到费解，甚至误解。这时，就有必要借用汉语中意义相同或相近、且具有自己鲜明文化色彩的表达法对原文加以归化。归化翻译法常用于处理某些英语成语、典故、形象词语等一类文化色彩较浓的表达方式。恰倒好处地归化可以使译文地道简洁、生动活泼，便于译入语读者理解和接受。例如： as timid as a hare 胆小如鼠 （在西方文化中，兔子是胆小的象征，而在我国，兔子却象征着机警敏捷。人们常说："静若处子，动若脱兔。"鼠在我国才是胆小的象征，所以翻译时直接加以归化。） at a stone's throw 一箭之遥 wet like a drown rat 湿如落汤鸡 as stupid as a goose 蠢得像猪 as stubborn as a mule 犟得像牛 seek a hare in a hen's nest 缘木求鱼 as dumb as an oyster 守口如瓶 lead a dog's life 过着牛马一样的生活 cry up wine and sell vinegar 挂羊头，卖狗肉 put back the clock 开倒车 talk horse 吹牛 kill the goose that lays the golden eggs 杀鸡取卵 drink like a fish 牛饮 （1） Once the wife of a parson, always the wife of a parson. 嫁鸡随鸡，嫁狗随狗。 （2）One boy is a boy, two boys half a boy, three boys no boy. 一个和尚挑水吃，两个和尚抬水吃，三个和尚没水吃。 （3） I was limp as a dish rag. My back felt as through it had been beaten with wires. 我软得像一团棉花，脊背疼痛得好像被钢丝抽打过一样。 （原文中 limp as a dish rag，如直译为"像洗碟布一样柔软"，既不地道，又让人产生一种较恶心的感觉，不如用汉语中常说的"软得像一团棉花"加以归化。） （4） Everybody said how well the new Secretary was doing, but old Mr. Carr said shortly, "Yes. New brooms sweep clean." 人人都说新任秘书干得好，但卡尔老先生却简慢地说："新官上任三把火。" （原文 new brooms sweep clean 的字面意思是"新扫把扫得干净"，比喻"新任职的人干得好"，和汉语中的"新官上任三把火"异曲同工，貌离神合。） （5） Among the blind the one-eyed man is King. 山中无老虎，猴子称霸王。 （6） Last night I heard him driving his pig to market. 昨夜我听到他...
