1. Research background

This article introduces the research background of the use of metaphorical verbs in Chinese English literary translation, and points out that there is relatively less research on metaphorical verbs in academia, while there is more sufficient research on noun metaphors. In recent years, scholars have begun to study verb metaphors from a linguistic perspective. This article will focus on the metaphorical verbs in inanimate subject sentences, especially those in emotional and thinking subject sentences, and explore their forms of expression and frequency of use in translated works. The study will classify and compare metaphorical verbs in translated English corpus and original English corpus, with sources including multiple English corpora and literary sections.

2. Metaphorical verbs in the category of quasi liquid

In depth exploration of the application of metaphorical verbs with liquid like properties in Chinese English literary translation, analysis of verbs with liquid like functions in English such as well, flood, flow, etc., and how they endow abstract noun subjects with liquid like characteristics, creating dynamic images. Through the analysis of examples of the three verbs "well", "flooded", and "boiled", this paper reveals the collocation rules between these verbs and emotional and thinking nouns, especially how to accurately capture and convey the emotional fluctuations of the original text in Chinese English translation. The chapter provides specific translation examples, demonstrating how inanimate subject sentences vividly depict the emotions of characters, and how to enhance rhetorical effects through metaphor, making the translation more attractive and infectious. In addition, the chapter also discusses how the metaphor of quasi liquid can help readers more intuitively feel the intensity and inner world of the protagonist's emotions, as well as how to enhance resonance with readers through images such as emotional emergence, spread, and boiling.

3. Metaphorical verbs of the mimetic class

In depth exploration was conducted on the use of metaphorical verbs in Chinese English literary translation, analyzing how abstract noun subjects are endowed with object characteristics through verbs to form dynamic images. The research focuses on metaphorical verbs in English, such as rise, aries, spread, etc., and selects representative verbs such as rose, spread, burn, etc. for analysis. Through corpus data, it was found that translated English and original English have a high degree of consistency in the collocation of mimetic verbs, especially in the use of words with negative emotional tendencies. The example sentence analysis demonstrates how to use object like verbs to metaphorically represent emotions such as flames, silk, smoke, etc., enhancing the emotional expression of the translation and allowing readers to form vivid emotional images in their minds, thereby gaining a stronger emotional experience.

4. Metaphorical verbs resembling humans

In depth exploration of the use of anthropomorphic metaphorical verbs in Chinese English literary translation, and analysis of how abstract nouns are endowed with human characteristics through verbs to form dynamic images in readers' minds. The research focuses on anthropomorphic verbs in English, such as fill, seize, know, etc., and selects representative verbs such as seized, sharpened, brought, ran, etc. for analysis. Through corpus data, it was found that translated English and original English exhibit a high degree of consistency in the use of these verbs, especially in their collocation with emotional and cognitive subject nouns. For example, 'seize' and 'grip' are often paired with extremely negative emotional words, while 'bring' and 'run' are often paired with mental nouns. The chapter demonstrates through specific examples how personified verbs can bring abstract concepts to life, enhancing the expressiveness and artistic appeal of language. For example, Seize emphasizes the capture of momentary emotions, Grip describes the sustained control of negative emotions, while Wrap and Ran "move" thoughts and emotions in the translation, bringing readers closer to the emotional distance experienced in the original text.

5. Observation and Reflection

Explored the use of inanimate subject sentences in Chinese English literary translation, especially the frequent use of emotion and thinking inanimate subject sentences in English and their scarcity in Chinese. Analyzed the placement of abstract concepts in the subject position in English to highlight their importance, and enhanced language expressiveness through the collocation of metaphorical verbs. Discussed the use of large language models to assist in translating metaphorical verbs in inanimate subject sentences, and demonstrated its translation effectiveness through examples. Emphasis was placed on the importance of reviewing and editing translation results, as well as applying research findings to practice to improve the quality and language appeal of Chinese English translation.

6. Conclusion

Metaphorical verbs are widely used in Chinese English literary translation to enhance emotional expression and linguistic richness through the use of fluid like, object like, and personification forms. Statistical analysis shows that negative emotional words dominate, with a small number of mental terms. Metaphorical verbs in inanimate subject sentences should be used more widely, and literal translation is recommended in English Chinese translation to convey the semantics and language effects of the original text.