16.3 翻译中的中式英语分类案例及对策分析
本节将分类列举汉译英中出现的中式英语,并进行对策分析。
16.3.1 字词、语句、语篇
平卡姆女士在《中式英语之鉴》一书中,从字词和语句的层面对部分典型中式英语做了归类分析,从一个英语母语人士的视角剖析了中式英语的种种弊端,对汉译英译者,特别是中式英语使用者帮助甚大。例如,就修饰语与中心词的语法关系问题,平卡姆女士给出了这样的例句:A. In recent years, Chinahas introduced much technology and equipment from abroad, playingan important role in improving its petrochemical technology. B. In recent years, China has introduced much technology and equipment from abroad, and these imports have playedan important role in upgrading its petrochemical technology. A句中按英文语法逻辑关系分析,China是playing的主语,那么意思就是“中国在提升化工技术方面起了重要作用”。而实际该句要表达的是,“新引进的技术和设备在提升化工技术方面起了重要作用”。所以B句才是清晰表达的地道句子,A句是错误的中式英语表达。
但遗憾的是,该书没能论及语篇层面,没有从语篇角度对中式英语做出相关举例分析。编者认为汉英两种语言行文当中语篇布局习惯的不同,也是中式英语产生的原因之一。
例3.四川西部,有一美妙去处。它背倚岷山主峰雪宝顶,树木苍翠,花香袭人,鸟声婉转,流水潺潺。这就是松潘县的黄龙。(《黄龙奇观》 )
译文1 In the west of Sichuan, there is a fantastic place to visit. It leans at Xuebao, the main peak of Minshan Mountian, with green forests, fragrant flowers, singing birds, and flowing streams. It is Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) in Songpan County.(学生译作)
译文2 One of Sichuan’s finest scenic spots is Huanglong (Yellow Dragon), which lies in Songpan County just beneath Xuebao, the main peak of the Minshan Mountain. Its green forests, filled with fragrant flowers, bubbling streams, and songbirds, are rich in historical interest as well as natural beauty.(边幽芬译)
译文3 One of West Sichuan’s finest scenic spots is Huanglong (Yellow Dragon), which lies in Songpan County just beneath Xuebao, the main peak of the Minshan Mountain. It is rich in historical interest as well as natural beauty, with its green forests filled with fragrant flowers, babbling streams, and singing birds.(编者改译)
译文1(学生译作)完全遵从汉语原文的语篇行文结构,按照中国人的思维模式布局译文,先行描述,再点明这一美妙去处的所在,属典型的中式英语谋篇布局。译文2照顾了英语叙述习惯,先开门见山出现主题句,点明地点,再行细细描述。但译文2中第二句话的主语是green forests(苍翠树木)而不是主题词“黄龙”,谓语是are rich in historical interest as well as natural beauty(充满人文历史和自然美景),综合起来整句意思便是“苍翠树木充满人文历史和自然美景”,也即“苍翠树林是个美妙去处”,与原文意思有出入。按照原文,是“黄龙是一美妙去处”,而“黄龙”之所以美妙,应该不只因为“苍翠树林”。由编者改译的译文3,将第二句话的主语处理为代词“It”,代表前文的“黄龙”,这样意思就回归为“黄龙美妙”,而不是“树林美妙”;主语前后衔接一致也符合英语行文习惯。另外,译文3把“潺潺流水”由bubbling streams改译为babbling streams,把“鸟声婉转”由songbirds改译为singing birds。根据词典释义,babble: to make the gentle pleasant sound of water as it moves along in a river(河水流动时发出的轻柔悦耳的声音);bubble: rise in or send up bubble(涌起冒泡)。按照上述词义辨析,“潺潺流水”当译为babbling streams而非bubbling streams。此外,英文songbird只是特指一种鸣鸟,而根据汉语原文,婉转歌唱的鸟儿并没有限定为一种,故编者将“鸟声婉转”改译为singing birds,以求更忠实于原文。
16.3.2 “3S要点”
庄绎传教授认为,要避免中式英语,主要需在透彻理解原文的基础上,注意英语的一些特点,比如考虑如下三个要点:替代(substitution)、主语(subject)、主从(subordination)。抓住了这“3S要点”,可以大大减少中式英语。(庄绎传2002)
1.替代
例4.哈佛是最早接受中国留学生的美国大学之一。中国教育界、科学界、文化界一直同哈佛大学保持着学术交流。
学生译文Harvard is one of the first group of American universities which accept Chinese students. Chinese educational, scientific, and cultural fields have maintained academic exchange with Harvard University.
参考译文Harvard is among the first American universities to accept Chinese students. The Chinese educational, scientific and cultural communities have all along maintained academic exchange with this university.
这个例子,原文中“哈佛”出现了两次,学生译文中Harvard也出现了两次。此处学生忽视了英语中使用代词避免重复这一特点,产出中式英语。而参考译文中Harvard只出现一次,第二次使用了代词this university,既避免了重复,又体现了两句之间的联系,译文也就显得流畅。
例5.实现了千百年来围湖造田、与湖争地到大规模退田还湖的历史性转变。
参考译文This represented a great shift from the centuries-long history of re-claiming farmland from lakes to restoring it to them on a large scale.
原文“湖”出现三次,“田”出现两次,而译文中lakes和farmland只出现一次,再次出现使用了代词it和them来代替。既避免了重复,又增加了连贯性。原文中“围湖造田”和“与湖争地”属同意反复,译文中可省去一个。
英语中的代词可分为七、八种,可见代词在英语中比在汉语中用得多。使用代词代替名词是汉译英时避免重复、简化译文的一个常用的手法。(贾毓玲2003)
2.主语
“一般说来,汉语的主谓关系没有英语那么密切。英语对于主语能否做后面的动作考虑较多。因此,(汉译英时)译文以什么做主语,怎样和谓语搭配,是一个经常需要斟酌的问题。”(庄绎传2002)
例6.鲁镇的酒店的格局,是和别处不同的:都是当街一个曲尺形的大柜台,柜里面预备着热水,可以随时温酒。
译文1 The layout of Luzhen’s taverns is unique. In each, facing you as you enter, is a bar in the shape of a carpenter’s square where hot water is kept ready for warming rice wine.(杨宪益、戴乃迭1956)
译文2 The wine shops in Luchen are not like those in other parts of China. They all have a right-angled counter facing the street, where hot water is kept ready for warming wine.(杨宪益、戴乃迭1960)
译文2是译者本身对译文一所做的修改。译文1拘泥于原文,第一句话已“layout(格局)”当主语,第二句不得不换用“bar”做主语,而英语一般是不习惯频繁更换主语的。译文2一开头第一句就以“wine shops(酒店)”当主语,第二句就可以顺势用代词they作主语,与第一句呼应,译文就显得自然流畅,衔接紧密。(庄绎传2002)
上文例3中译文2对译文1的修改,也考虑到英语中主语使用的特点。
3.主从
英语句子里主从关系很多,体现出不同的层次。汉语句子里并列关系居多,孰主孰从不明显。汉译英时经常需要用从句、分词短语、介词短语、加连接词等手段把并列结构转换为从属结构,以突出句子重点、主次分明,合乎英语的行文习惯。
例7.结合国有商业银行集中处理不良资产的改革,成立四家金融资产管理公司,确定对符合条件的580户国有大中型企业实施债权转股权。
十届人大一次会议朱镕基总理的《政府工作报告》英译本译文: The four financial asset management companies, which were set up as part of the reform to dispose of bad assets of the state-owned commercial banks, selected 580 eligible large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises for their debt-to-equityreform.
这句话原文由三个并列动词结构组成。细看三者并不在一个层次上,第一个只是完成第二个的方式方法,第二个也只是文章的过渡,它们都不是句子的重点,第三个才是目的,也就是说句子的重点在最后一个动词结构。译文把次要的部分用从句处理,显示了层次,突出了句子重点。(贾毓玲2003)
该政府工作报告参考译文在行文结构上顺应了英语习惯,避免了中式英语,但在个别措辞上却受了中文字面意思的蛊惑,或因对中文原文不求甚解,导致误译。下划线部分原文是“债权转股权”,译文中出现的却是“debt-to-equity(债务转股权)”;而恰当的译文应是“credit-to-equity”。因而,要想翻译准确,透彻理解原文是基础。
16.3.3 关注英语特点
这部分我们将中式英语进一步归类分析,以寻求更有针对性的对策。对英文以下特点的关注,有助于避免中式英语。
1.词语搭配
例8.从长远看
原译from the long run
改译in the long run
原译用from这一介词,显然是受了中文“从”字的影响,却忽视了英语in the long run是固定搭配短语,表示“从长远看”。
另外,学生翻译时常出现pay attention on, complete a promise等搭配错误。(正确搭配应为pay attention to及fulfill a promise)
例9.我离开农村去往北京市。
原译I left the countryside to(应为for)Beijing city.
改译I left the countryside for Beijing city.
固定词组leave for表示“离开某地去往某地”。
例10.人们害怕卷入是非。
原译People are afraid to get involved issues.
改译People are afraid to get involved in issues.
固定搭配词组:get involved in(此处介词in必不可少)
例11.实践是检验真理的唯一标准。
原译Practice is the sole criterion to test truth.
改译Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.(Or: Practice is the only way to test truth.)
英文习惯用a criterion for doing sth., a way to do sth.
例12.继续为实现党的基本路线和历史任务而奋斗。
原译Continue to strive for the fulfillment of the basic line and historic mission of the Party.
改译Continue to strive for meeting the basic line and fulfilling the historic mission of the Party.
英文动词fulfill与名词basic line不搭。
2.介词和连词的使用
例13.我被她的话所震惊,但我知道她情绪激动,说的是气话。
原译I was shocked by what she said, but I knew she was emotional instability and said those words in anger.
改译I was shocked by what she said, but I knew she was in emotional instability and said those words in anger.
此处介词in不可或缺,否则违反英语语法规范。
例14.“西至春秀路”(社区公示牌介绍社区方位用语)
原译stretches Chunxiu Road in the west
改译stretches to Chunxiu Road in the west
原译漏掉了介词to所产生的歧义让人有些忍俊不禁,动词stretch后加此介词,才是“社区往西延伸至春秀路”(extend to);漏掉它,就成了“社区在西头把春秀路拉长了”(cause to extend)。
例15.因为他们拥有超能力,所以他们无所不能。
原译Because of they own superpower, so that they can do everything.
改译Because they own superpower, they can do everything.(Or: Because of their superpower, they can do everything.)
because of后面只能接名词性短语,连词because后面才能跟从句。中文“所以”在此英译文中需省略不译,因为按英文习惯,连词because和so that不能连用。
例16.她父亲绝不赞成她嫁给这样一个穷人。
原译Her father will never approve her marrying such a poor man.
改译Her father will never approve of her marrying such a poor man.(钱歌川1981)
approve单独使用一般意指“批准”,且后面不接动名词形式。
例17.虽然刘翔在2008北京奥运会上没能成功开始110米栏预赛,我们依然对他充满期待。
原译Although Liu Xiang failed to start his first-round heat in the 110 metres hurdles at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, we still look forward to him.
改译Although Liu Xiang failed to start his first-round heat in the 110 metres hurdles at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, we still look forward to his good performance.
英文look forward to意思是to await an event eagerly(急切地等待某事的发生),后面一般跟事件,而不是跟人物。
3.一词多译(一个汉语词对应多个英语词)
例18.西安大雁塔
原译Dayan Tower(注:该译文出自西安绕城高速公路指示牌)
改译Dayan Pagoda
英文词tower指塔形建筑物,如电视塔;而pagoda才指佛教舍利塔。大雁塔是专为收藏唐玄奘从印度带回的佛经的佛塔,故应译为Dayan Pagoda。汉语当中同一个词,在英文中须用不同的词才能恰当表达,否则就会产生词语混用、误用型中式英语。
例19.用过请冲水(卫生间公示语)
原译Wash after relief
改译Flush after relief
虽然都是用水清洁,但此处用flush更合适。
4.英语中的名词中心现象
中式英语往往动词冗余,而地道英语中常用简要名词性短语来表述。
据有关数据统计,英汉两种语言中,英文中名词使用的频率要远远高于动词使用的频率;汉语中名词使用的频率则低于动词使用的频率。换言之,英语多用名词表达语义,而汉语常用动词表达语义。受汉语影响,学生在汉译英时,习惯用动词多于用名词,虽然从语法上讲英译文没有问题,但却违背了英语的语言习惯。请见以下示例。
例20.我因坎坷一生碌碌无为而遗憾。
原译I regret because I made little achievement in my troubled life.
改译I regret few achievementsin a troubled(不安的,忧虑的,动乱的)life.
改译中用下划线部分的名词性结构替代了原译中的一个包含主语、谓语动词和宾语的从句结构,简洁明了,符合英语行文习惯。
例21.盼的内容渐渐丰富了:盼有好成绩毕业,盼有一份好工作,盼挣钱为父母分忧……
原译We expect to graduate with good result, to have a good job, to earn more money to share my parents’burden...
改译With ever greater desire of more varied things: for graduation with honors, for an ideal job, for more earnings to share my parents’burden...
原译分别选用了动词“graduate, have and earn”,语法上没有错误,但使用名词性结构可以让语句更加流畅。
例22.生活开始变得复杂。
原译Life began to become complicated.
改译Life shows its complexity.
改译更加符合英语行文表达习惯。
例23.我工作,我做家事,我有朋友往来,这些占用了我的全部时间。
原译I engage in my work, I fulfill my family obligations, and I communicate with my friends. These things occupy all my time.
改译My work, my family, my friends are more than enough to fill my time.
原译行文结构受中文句式的影响,母语负迁移痕迹较深。改译用三个并列的名词性短语作主语,并恰当运用英语熟语more than enough,使译文更显简洁地道。
只要加强“名词意识”,在翻译实践过程中,在适当场合有意识地多选用名词,在英语译文中恰当多用名词表达的习惯是可以逐步养成的。
5.英语中的“物做施事主语”现象
主语是动作的施动者,钱歌川先生在《英语疑难详解》第一篇《无生物主语》中讲到:“我们说中文时,惯常都要用人或生物做主语,而英文则爱用无生物做主语。”他举例说,If you take this medicine, you will feel better.这是符合中文的行文习惯,“you”做主语;而英文的惯用表达则是: This medicine will make you feel better.采用无生命的“this medicine”做主语。这种句法确实不同于汉语,是中国学生在翻译实践中的一个难点。我们在汉译英时要学会采用这种无生物做施事主语,注意英语中多“物做施事主语”的现象。
例24.人们在盼望中找到依托。
学生译文People find their dependence in the expectations.
“物做施事主语”译文:Such expectations serve as a prop to the faith in life.
例25.他的好意把我感动得流下了眼泪。
学生译文I was moved to tears by his kindness.
“物做施事主语”译文:His kindness won my tears.
英语中多用无生物做主语,强调的是事实;汉语中多用人或有生物做主语,强调的是行为者的感受。因此要多加练习,习惯这种思维方式,在汉译英中适时做出相应的调整。
6.英语中需避免“同义反复”的现象
汉语的构词法中经常会出现两个意义相同的词根并列在一起构成一个合成词,如“骨肉”;或是由两个相叠的词根相叠而成,如“妈妈”。汉语中有许多惯用的同义反复现象,如“受害者他们是”中“受害者”和“他们”属同义反复;而英语合成词的构词成分之间通常有修饰或限制的关系,如:near-sighted,因此,其合成词中很少出现“同义反复”。在汉译英时,汉语中的同义反复词语中多余的成分须省略不译。“受害者他们是”不能翻译成“the victims they are”,“they”是多余信息应去掉。
例26.我们要更加紧密地团结在以胡锦涛同志为总书记的党中央周围。
学生译文1 We should unify together tightly around the Party Central Committee with Hu Jintao as the general secretary.
学生译文2 We must unite more closer around the central committee...
参考译文We should more closely unite around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as the general secretary.
学生译文中unify与together语义重复,应去掉together; more与closer语义重复,应去掉more,而这种比较级的表达本身也不符合英语语法规范。
例27.这是通向繁荣昌盛的唯一道路。
原译This is the only road leading to affluence and prosperity.
改译This is the only road to prosperity.
affluence和prosperity基本同义,重复使用显得冗余。
例28.三个臭皮匠,抵得上一个诸葛亮。
原译Three cobblers with their wit combined together could equal Zhuge Liang, the mastermind.
改译Three cobblers with their wit combined could equal Zhuge Liang, the mastermind.
Together与combined二词的语义有交叉重复之处,在这里累赘多余,故应去掉together。
7.英语中的动词时态表意现象
例29.我曾经把你当成兄弟,但现在不了。
原译I once treated you as my brother in the past, but not now.
改译I treated you as my brother, but not now.
原译中下划线部分属于属中文负迁移影响而译出的不必要成分。汉语当中需另用文字做时间状语来表达时间概念(例如“曾经”),而英语则往往用动词时态即可表达时间概念,无须另用时间状语。故汉译英时须谨记避免此类重复。
8.相同词根不同词性不同用法
例30.你们今天到场,我深感欣慰和荣幸。
原译I’m happy and honorable to have you here.
改译I’m happy and honored to have you here.
honorable意思是“尊贵的”,例如honorable guests; honored意思才是“感到荣幸的”。
例31.我膝盖疼痛。
原译I’m painful in my knee.
改译I have a pain in my knee.
painful用于事物,意为“使痛苦的。”例如:Have you had a painful experience?
It is painful to think of the pitiful position China occupied before liberation.类似的形容词有shameful, dangerous, frightful, wonderful, harmful等。(上海外国语学院英语系英语教研组:1964)
9.具体语境中的词义辨析与表达(以几则公示语为例)
例32.“钱票当面点清”(某著名景点大门口售票处公示语)
原译Face-to-Face Point of Money—Money Votes
改译Please count your cash before leaving the counter.
例33.友情提示(某船码头公示语)
原译Friendly Sentiment is pointed out
改译Friendly/Warm-hearted Tips/Reminding, orAttention please
例34.请您保管好自己的银行卡账号和密码,谨防各种形式的转账诈骗。(某银行公示语)
原译Please take care of your bank account and password to warn against bank transfer and fraud in all forms.
改译Please take care of your bank account and password to guard against fraud in all forms while making bank transfer.或者: Please take care of your bank account and password. Beware of various frauds in the name of bank transfer.再或者:Please take care of your account and password. Beware of various frauds passed off as bank transfer.
原译文有两处错误。第一,“谨防”译错了。warn规范的用法是“warn somebody of/against something”,而且此处还有个语法的问题,在同一句子中主语是不能“偷换”的,既然前面“保管take care of”的主语是客户“您”,后面warn的逻辑主语则不能换成公安局、银行或其他任何人。第二,“转账诈骗”译错了。“转账诈骗”本是个完整而不可分割的意群,意指在转账过程中出现的诈骗或者说是使用“山寨网站”等手段假冒正常转账的诈骗。可在“转账bank transfer”与“诈骗fraud”中间横加个表示并列的连词and,就变成了“谨防转账和诈骗”的意思。所以,warn against与guard against不能混用,连词and也不能滥用。
例35.
公示语上“非紧急情况请止步”的英文翻译是“no entry on peacetime”,老外们会感叹为什么和平时期不让进?
改译Emergency Exit
例36.
(http://www.china.com.cn/culture/txt/2009-04/03/content_17549778.htm)
该公示语译文会让外国人一头雾水,不知所云。他们或许会猜测:这间厕所冲水免费?请在小便或者大便之后立刻停止?(因为leave off是“停止或中断做某事”的意思。 )
改译This WC flushes automatically.
公示语英译更应为英语读者考虑,尽量不做逐字逐句的硬译死译,力图减少中式英语,避免误解。
小结
英语学习者在汉英翻译实践中存在语义理解、英语语言表达与思维方式、翻译技巧等方面的问题,从而导致使用中式英语。要避免这类问题的出现,首先须认真对待翻译过程,力图正确理解原文,用译文恰当表达,并字斟句酌地进行译稿修改,尽量杜绝语义理解偏差及表达失误。其次,应加强学习的主动性,勤做翻译练习,在翻译实践中总结经验,有意识地运用翻译技巧,训练使用英语独特的思维方式与语言表达方式,译出文思并茂的地道译文。
综上所述,中式英语是汉译英过程中最需克服又最难克服的问题之一。用好以上策略,做到遵循“3S要点”、细化关注英语特点、从字词、语句、语篇层面上遵从英文习惯,能帮助中国人克服许多中式英语,提高译文质量。而要从根本上解决中式英语的问题,还需译者不断学习,加强中英两种语言与文化、尤其是英语语言文化的修养,做到在两种语言与文化中游刃有余。
练习
一、简要说明中式英语(Chinese English或Chinglish)和中国英语(China English)的区别。
二、简述庄绎传教授提出的为避免中式英语的“3S要点”。
三、辨识下列译文中误译或不妥译处,并给出恰当译文。
1.美国研究型大学早期发展研究:Early Development Studies on American Research Universities
2.决定我们成为什么样人的不是我们的能力,而是我们的选择。We decided to become the kind of person is not our ability, but our choice.
3.她获得过什么奖项吗?Did he grant any prize?
4.如果你把材料发送给我,我将不胜感激。
I will be appreciated if you could send that materials to me.
5.尊敬的吴老师:
我不大懂第51页上B1练习的意思。你能已收到邮件就尽快帮我理解这道题的意思吗?
朱雪 2012年9月29日
Dear Mrs Wu,
I’m not quite understand the meaning of practice in Page59, B1. Could you help me to interpret it as soon as possible once you received my E-mail.
Yours,
zhuxue
6.如果一个人学到了很多知识,他就会得到一份好工作。
If a person learned much knowledge, he will getting a good job.
7.为了未来,我们在学校应该努力学习。
We should hard work in the school for our future.
8.我们最好去到户外,倾听大自然的声音。我们不能沉迷在电脑世界里。
We may better go outside and listen the sound of nature. We can’t be addicted in the world of computer.
9.我们应该学会批评性思维。We should learn to critical thinking.
10.他们只是搜索互联网,复制一些他们需要的观点,而不是自己思考答案。
They just search the internet and copy some points they need instead of thinking the answer themselves.
11.人类必须调控自己的身心。
Man have to regulate ourselves in mentally and in physically.
12. 100万美金可是一大笔钱。 Amillion dollars are a large sum of money.(叶硕2006)
13.士兵们竭尽全力去防御敌人。
The soldiers tried their best to defend the enemy.(同上)
14.请给我一块钱的花生。
Please give me a dollar of peanuts.
15.学英语可是要花功夫的。
Learning English takes your time.(同上)
16.历史经常会重演。
History often happens again.(同上)
17.日落真的是一幅美景。
The sunset is really a beautiful scenery.(同上)
18.一对美国的老夫妇上周去拜会他了。
AnAmerican old couple visited him last week.
19.今年将比去年生产更多的粮食。
This year will produce more grain than last year.
20.假期从明天开始。
The vacation begins from tomorrow.(张震久、袁宪军2009)
四、汉译英练习。
1. 2010年翩然而至,全球24个时区的万千钟声,此起彼伏,宣告在这人类新千年中,一个10年的终结,又是另一个10年的开始。在开局的10年中,中国经济在前9年连续9年保持着9%以上的增长。最后一年,虽受国际金融风暴影响,但依然能保持8%的高增长。
中国犹如中流砥柱,力挽狂澜,使全球目光,再次聚焦于东方。一年多的实践,终使曙光再现。全人类定能以集体的智慧,攻坚克难,渡过难关,必将是柳暗花明又一村的新局面。(2010年3月上海市中级口译证书笔试汉译英真题)
2.必须坚持处理好全局和局部的关系。全国经济是一个有机整体,应当按照“全国一盘棋”的战略布局,充分发挥各个地区的优势,调动中央和地方两个积极性。国家制定方针政策,必须考虑全局利益和长远发展,又要照顾不同地区、不同行业的特点;地方要充分发挥各自的积极性,又必须服从国家全局和长远发展的需要。
3.新中国建立了民族区域自治制度。在少数民族聚居地区设立自治机关,由当地民族自己管理本民族的内部事务。目前,全国共有159个民族区域自治地方,其中自治区5个,自治州30个,自治县(旗)124个。民族区域自治地方根据《中华人民共和国民族区域自治法》行使各种自治权利,有权依照当地民族的政治、经济和文化的特点,制定自治条例和单行条例;在不违背宪法和法律的原则下,有权采取特殊政策和灵活措施;上级国家机关的决议、决定、命令、指示,如有不适合民族区域自治地方实际情况的,自治机关可以报请批准变通执行或停止执行;自治机关有自主地管理本地方财政、经济、文化、教育事业的自治权利。在民族杂居散居地区,还建立了1 500多个民族乡,使杂居散居的少数民族能更好地享受平等的权利。
五、汉译英美文欣赏。
落花生
作者:许地山英文译者:张培基
我们屋后有半亩隙地。母亲说:“让它荒芜着怪可惜,既然你们那么爱吃落花生,就辟来做花生园罢。”我们几姊弟和几个小丫头都很喜欢——买种的买种,动土的动土,灌园的灌园;过不了几个月,居然有收获了!
妈妈说:“今晚我们可以做一个收获节,也请你们爹爹来尝尝我们的新花生,如何?”我们都答应了。母亲把花生做成好几样的食品,还吩咐这节期要在园里底茅亭举行。
那晚上的天色不太好,可是爹爹也到来,实在很难得!爹爹说:“你们爱吃花生么?”
我们都争著答应:“爱!”
“谁能把花生底好处说出来?”
姊姊说:“花生底气味很美。”
哥哥说:“花生可以制油。”
我说:“无论何等人都可以用贱价买它来吃;都喜欢吃它。这就是它的好处。”
爹爹说:“花生底用处固然很多;但有一样是很可贵的。这小小的豆不像那好看的苹果、桃子、石榴,把它们底果实悬在枝上,鲜红嫩绿的颜色,令人一望而发生羡慕之心。它只把果子埋在地底,等到成熟,才容人把它挖出来。你们偶然看见一棵花生瑟缩地长在地上,不能立刻辨出它有没有果实,非得等到你接触它才能知道。”
我们都说:“是的。”母亲也点点头。爹爹接下去说:“所以你们要像花生,因为它是有用的,不是伟大、好看的东西。”我说:“那么,人要做有用的人,不要做伟大、体面的人了。”爹爹说:“这是我对于你们的希望。”
我们谈到夜阑才散,所有花生食品虽然没有了,然而父亲底话现在还印在我心版上。
Peanuts
Xu Dishan
Behind our house there lay half a mou of vacant land. Mother said,“It’s a pity to let it lie waste. Since you all like to eat peanuts so very much,why not plant some here?”That exhilarated us children and our servant girls as well, and soon we started buying seeds, ploughing the land and watering the plants. We gathered in a good harvest just after a couple of months!
Mother said,“How about giving a party this evening to celebrate the harvest and inviting your Daddy to have a taste of our newly-harvest peanuts?”We all agreed. Mother made quite a few varieties of goodies out of the peanuts,and told us that the party would be held in the thatched pavilion on the peanut plot.
It looked like rain that evening, yet, to our great joy, father came nevertheless.“Do you like peanuts?”asked father.
“Yes, we do!”we vied in giving the answer.
“Which of you could name the good things in peanuts?”
“Peanuts taste good,”said my elder sister.
“Peanuts produce edible oil,”said my elder brother.
“Peanuts are so cheap,”said I,“that anyone can afford to eat them. Peanuts are everyone’s favorites. That’s why we call peanuts good.”
“It’s true that peanuts have many uses,”said father,“but they’re most beloved in one respect. Unlike nice looking apples, peaches, and pomegranates,which hang their fruit on branches and win people’s admiration with their brilliant colors, tiny little peanuts bury themselves underground and remain unearthed until they’re ripe. When you come upon a peanut plant lying curled up on the ground,you can never immediately tell whether or not it bears any nuts until you touch them.”
“That’s true,”we said in unison. Mother also nodded.“so you must take after peanuts,”father continued,“because they’re useful though not great and nice looking.”
“Then you mean one should be useful rather than great and nice-looking,”I said.
“That’s what I expect of you,”father concluded.
We kept chatting until the party broke up late at night. Today, though nothing is left of the goodies made of peanuts, father’s words remain engraved in my mind.
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