译文对比作业原文及翻译.docx

1、译文对比作业原文及翻译P62-65 译文对比The Chinese CharacterThere is a theory among Occidentals that the Chinaman is inscrutable, full of secret thoughts, and impossible for us to understand. It may be that a greater experience of China would have brought me to share this opinion; but I could see nothing to support

2、it during the time when I was working in that country.One of the most remarkable things about the Chinese is their power of securing the affection of foreigners. Almost all Europeans like China, both those who come only as tourists and those who live there for many years. In spite of the Anglo-Japan

3、ese Alliance, I can recall hardly a single Englishman in the Far East who liked the Japanese as well as the Chinese. Those who have lived long among them tend to acquire their outlook and their standards. New arrivals are struck by obvious evils: the beggars, the terrible poverty, the prevalence of

4、disease, the anarchy and corruption in politics. Every energetic Westerner feels at first a strong desire to reform these evils, and of course they ought to be reformed.译文1：西方人中间有一种理论，认为中国人是看不透的，充满了隐秘的念头，我们不可能了解他们。如果我对中国体验得更多些，也许会使我转而赞同这个意见；但我在该国工作期间却看不到任何支持它的东西。 中国人的最显著特点之一，就是他们吸引外国人喜爱的能力。几乎所有欧洲人都喜

5、欢中国，无论是旅游者或者多年在此常住的人都这样。虽然英国和日本之间存在着同盟关系，我记不起在远东碰见过一个英国人喜欢日本人胜似中国人的。外国人在中国人中间住久了，往往会接受中国人的观点和价值标准。新来乍到的人首先注意到明显的丑恶现像：乞丐、可怕的贫穷、疾病流行、政界的混乱和腐败。每一个精力充沛的西方人起初会发生强烈的愿望，要改革这些丑恶现象，当然改革这些是必要的。译文2：西方人都认为中国人令人费解，城府很深，不可理喻。如果我在中国有了更多经历之后，或许也会持此观点：但就我在中国工作的那段时间，却找不到任何依据来支持这一观点。中国人最值得称道的事情是，他们总能得到外国人的好感。欧洲人都喜欢中国，

6、无论是到中国旅游，还是侨居多年。虽然英日订有联盟，但就我所知，在远东的英国人没有谁会像喜欢中国人一样喜欢日本人。久居中国的英国人会渐渐获得中国人的精神面貌和价值标准。初来乍到的人会震惊于明显的罪恶：乞丐、极度贫穷、疾病流行、政治混乱腐败。每一个踌躇满志的西方人一开始都有一种强烈的愿望，要去根除这些罪恶，当然也确实要根除。The Chinese, from the highest to the lowest, have an imperturbable quiet dignity, which is usually not destroyed even by a European educati

7、on. They are not self-assertive, either individually or nationally; their pride is too profound for self-assertion. They admit Chinas military weakness in comparison with foreign Powers, but they do not consider efficiency in homicide the most important quality in a man or a nation. I think that, at

8、 bottom, they almost all believe that China is the greatest nation in the world, and has the finest civilization. A Westerner cannot be expected to accept this view, because it is based on traditions utterly different from his own. But gradually one comes to feel that it is, at any rate, not an absu

9、rd view; that it is, in fact, the logical outcome of a self-consistent standard of values. The typical Westerner wishes to be the cause of as many changes as possible in his environment; the typical Chinaman wishes to enjoy as much and as delicately as possible. This difference is at the bottom of m

10、ost of the contrast between China and the English-speaking world.译文1：中国人从上到下都有一种泰然自若的、沉静的庄严，通常连欧洲教育也不能加以破坏。中国人无论作为个人或者整个民族，都不强调自己的利益和意见；他们具有很深的自尊心，而不屑于突出自己。他们承认在军事上中国比外国列强来的弱，但他们不认为对个人或国家来说，高效率的杀人本领是最重要的品质。我想他们在心底里，几乎人人都相信中国是世界上最伟大的国家，具有最优秀的文化。你不能期望西方人接受这种观点，因为这种观点所依据的传统和他自己的传统大相径庭。但是西方人会逐渐感到这个观点至少并

11、非荒谬，事实上它是一套自成体系的价值标准的逻辑结论。典型的西方人希望能够推动周围环境作尽量多的变革，典型的中国人则希望能够尽量多、尽量细腻地享受生活。中国和英语世界之间的多数分歧，追其根源都因为人生观的这种不同。译文2：中国人，从上层社会到底层百姓，都有一种冷静安详的尊严，即使接受了欧洲的教育也不会毁掉。无论个人还是国家，他们都不自我肯定；他们的骄傲过于深厚，无需自我肯定。虽然也承认兵力上敌不过外国列强，但并不因此认为先进的杀人方式是个人或国家所应重视的。我觉得这是因为他们都在心底里自信中国是世界上最伟大的国家，拥有最完美的文明。西方人无法接受这种观点，因为这是基于各自完全不同的传统。但人们会

12、逐步认识到这个观点无论如何不荒谬。事实上，它是一脉相承的价值观的逻辑结果。典型的西方人希望自己成为尽可能多地改变所处环境的原因；典型的中国人则希望尽可能多地享受自然环境之美。这个差别就是中国人和英语国家的人大相径庭的深层原因。There are, of course, ambitious men in China, but they are less common than among ourselves. And their ambition takes a different formnot a better form, but one produced by the preference

13、 of enjoyment to power. It is a natural result of this preference that avarice is a widespread failing of the Chinese. Money brings the means of enjoyment, therefore money is passionately desired. With us, money is desired chiefly as a means to power; politicians, who can acquire power without much

14、money, are often content to remain poor. In China, the tuchuns (military governors), who have the real power, almost always use it for the sole purpose of amassing a fortune. Their object is to escape to Japan at a suitable moment; with sufficient plunder to enable them to enjoy life quietly for the

15、 rest of their days. The fact that in escaping they lose power does not trouble them in the least. It is, of course, obvious that such politicians, who spread devastation only in the provinces committed to their care, are far less harmful to the world than our own, who ruin whole continents in order

16、 to win an election campaign.译文1：当然，中国也有抱有野心的人，不过和我们比起来却不那么常见。而且他们的野心采取另一种形式，不见得是最好的形式，原因是他们把享受放在权力之上。作为喜爱享受的自然结果，中国人一个普遍的毛病就是贪财。钱能提供享受的物质条件，所以他们热烈地捞钱。对我们来说，要钱主要是要权；政客们不需要许多钱就能获得权力时，常常甘于贫穷。在中国，有实权的督军们几乎总是运用权力来追求唯一的目的，积攒钱财。他们打算在适当时机逃往日本，靠刮来的钱财安安静静地享受余生。至于逃往国外会失去权力这一点，他们却毫不担心。显然，这些只在他们管辖的省里荼毒人民的政客，对世界

17、危害之烈远远不如我们西方的政客，他们为了赢得竞选可以使整个大陆陷于灾难。译文2：当然，中国并不是没有雄心勃勃的人，但比我们要小得多。他们的野心与我们形式不同但不见得好，而是欣赏权力的偏好。这种偏好造成的自然结果是，贪婪成了中国人的缺点。金钱是享受的途径；因而，金钱受到狂热的追求。对我们来说，金钱主要是权力的途径；政治家可以没有金钱但一定得有权力，并满足于贫穷。而在中国，督军们握有实权，几乎常常把权力用作发财的唯一途径。其目的是在适当的时候逃去日本，用足够的掠夺物使他们在接下去的日子里享受平静的生活。至于逃跑意味着失去权力，这个事实他们根本就无所谓。当然，很明显，这样的当权者，其危害仅限于他们管

18、辖的省份，比起我们自己的政治家为了获得选举的胜利，不惜将整个欧洲大陆闹个天翻地覆，对世界的伤害显然小得多了。评论：译文1表达的情感过于主观，太过贬义，不符合译者的风。语句不通顺，意思表达不清。用词重复。译文2大体相对较好，其语言精练。但也有用词重复的地方。 The business of “saving face,” which often strikes foreigners in China as ludicrous, is only the carrying out of respect for personal dignity in the sphere of social manne

19、rs. Everybody has “face”, even the humblest beggar, there are humiliation that you must not inflict upon him, if you are not to outrage the Chinese ethical code. If you speak to a Chinaman in a way that transgresses the code, he will laugh, because your words must be taken as spoken in jest if they

20、are not to constitute an offense. 译文1：外国人来中国所看到并常常认为可笑的“要面子”现象，不过是自尊心在社交场合的体现。人人都有面子，连最卑贱的乞丐也有；你不能对他施以羞辱，否则你就冒犯中国人的伦理准则。如果你用违背准则的语气对一个中国人讲话，他会大笑，因为你的话必须被认为是开玩笑，否则就构成敌意冒犯。译文2：外国人对中国人的“要面子”觉得可笑。殊不知只有这样才能在社会上形成互相尊敬的风气。每个人，都有面子，即使最卑贱的乞丐。如果你不想违反中国人的伦理准则，那就连乞丐也不能侮辱。如果你和中国人交谈时违反了礼节，如果他不怪罪你，肯定会置之一笑，把你的话当作戏言

21、。评论：译文1翻译太生硬，没有灵活性。太追求保持原文的句法结构使句子衔接不连贯，语句不通顺。有些地方还用词重复。并且其翻译对中国人的爱面子现象太过贬低。译文2整体符合中国人的用法结构，语句较连贯。但其容过于夸大爱面子对社会风气起的作用。同样也有用词重复的现象。 AMERICA IS THE LAND of opportunities for women. Already they own about eighty-five percent of the wealth of the nation. Soon they will have it all. Divorce has become a

22、lucrative process, simple to arrange and easy to forget; and ambitious females can repeat it as often as they please and parlay their winnings to astronomical figures. The husbands death also brings satisfactory rewards and some ladies prefer to rely upon this method They know that the waiting perio

23、d will not be unduly protracted for overwork and hypertension are bound to get the poor devil before long, and he will die at his desk with a bottle of benzedrines in one hand and a packet of tranquilizers in the other. 译文1：美国是妇女的机遇之乡。她们已经获得这个国家财富的百分之八十五。不久他们就要获得全部。离婚已成为赢利的行当，即可随意安排，又极易被人忘掉。那些野心勃勃的女

24、人可以随心所欲的一再离婚，使自己的财产本利相加，增加到天文数字。丈夫的死亡也能带来满意的报酬，所以有些太太愿意依靠这一办法。他们知道等待的的时间不会无限制的 拖下去，因为用不了多久，过度劳累和高血压一定会找到那可怜虫，他将死在办公桌前，一只手里拿着一瓶安非他命，另一只手里那这一包镇静片。（马强译）译文2：美国，可以说是妇女的乐园，在那里，国家财富的百分之八十五已经在她们的掌握之中，而且在不远的将来，她们还可期望囊括一切。离婚也变得有利可图，草率结合，轻易忘却，只要高兴，雄心勃勃的女人们随时随地可以重复这套把戏。使自己的财产本利相加，循环利用，直至家资万贯。丈夫的死亡同样可以得到好处，有的女人干

25、脆就依靠这点。她们估计得到，等待的时日不会太长，要不了多久，过度的劳累和高血压，就会找上那倒霉的家伙，他会一手一瓶氨基酸，一手一瓶安眠药，死在办公桌前。译文3：美国是女人大显身手之地。他们目前已经拥有该国大约百分之八十五的财富，而且不日即将囊括全部。离婚堪称进财致富之道，手续简单，容易忘却。心雄万夫的女性，往往尽情恣意重演此技，巧取豪夺，直至获利激增，高达天文数字。丈夫去世，随之而来的报偿也颇为可观。因此一些夫人太太更愿寄望于此。她们知道，等待有限，总不会遥遥无期，劳瘁瘅疾与高血压用不了多久就必定叫那可怜鬼一命呜呼-他将一手拿着一瓶苯齐特林，一手拿着一包镇静剂，死于写字台旁。 At seven

26、teen the promise of Noelles early beauty had been more than fulfilled. She had matured into an exquisite woman. She had fine, delicate features, eyes a vivid violet color and soft ash-blond hair. Her skin was fresh and golden as though she had been dipped in honey. Her figure was stunning, with gene

27、rous, firm, yet breasts, a small waist, rounded hips and long shapely legs, with delicate ankles. Her voice was distinctive, soft and mellifluous. There was a strong, smoldering sensuality about Noelle, but that was not her magic. Her magic lay in the fact that beneath the sensuality seemed to lay a

28、n untouched island of innocence, and the combination was irresistible. She could walk down the streets without receiving propositions from passersby. They were not the casual offers that the prostitutes of Marseille received as their daily currency, for even the most obtuse men perceived something s

29、pecial in Noelle, something that they had never seen before and perhaps would never see again, and each was willing to pay as much as he could afford to try to make it a part of himself, however briefly.(Sidney Sheldon: The Other Side of Midnight,1973)译文1：十七岁时，萝爱拉就出落得更加尽善尽美了。一对动人的大眼睛，闪耀着紫罗兰色的光辉，灰黄色的

30、长发，柔和地披散在浑圆的肩头，娇嫩白皙的皮肤，好像在蜜糖里泡过一样，光彩照人。她的身材苗条而丰满，令人神魂颠倒：坚挺的乳房、纤细的腰身、滚圆的臀部，两条硕长均匀的大腿下面，是一双玲珑剔透的小脚。她的嗓音甜美，说起话来清脆而柔和。但她的女性魔力，主要还不在于身体上那种强烈的喷薄欲出的肉感，而是来自肉感下面隐藏的纯真，一种凛然不可冒犯的纯真。肉感与纯真的完美结合，使她更加魅力无穷。每当她在街上行走，路人们纷纷向她注目、献殷勤。不过这一切，与马赛街头那些马路天使们随时都会遇到的肆意挑逗，是截然不同的。因为即使是最没有头脑的笨蛋，也看得出萝爱拉确实非同寻常。这种仙女，他们过去未曾见过，今后如能重睹芳颜

31、，那真是祖上积德三生有幸。每个人都心甘情愿为她花掉自己最后的一分钱，哪怕只要能轻轻碰她一下。译文2：十七岁了，诺拉果真长成美人，而且比人们预料的还要漂亮。一动人的脸，水汪汪的眼睛闪烁着紫罗兰色的光辉，柔软的浅黄色头发显得夺目耀眼，鲜嫩的皮肤，宛如在蜜汁里浸泡过，细腻光亮。丰满坚实的胸脯，洋溢着青春的气息。柳腰、圆臀，颀长的大腿，还有一双精巧的小脚。如此苗条匀称的身材，确实令人神魂颠倒。她的嗓音清脆、温柔，使人感到甜美动听。她的魅力倒并不在于她身上那股外露的强烈性感，或者干脆可以称之为肉感，而在于隐匿在性感后面的纯真，在于这种凛然不可冒犯的纯真。性感与纯真糅为一体，使她更加魅力无穷。每当她出现在

32、街头，就必然找来路人贪婪的目光，甚至挑逗性的言行。当然，诺拉所遭遇的，与流落在马赛街头的娼妓们每天都能碰上的猥亵逗乐，完全不能相提并论。因为，连最最愚蠢的家伙都能分辨出诺拉的非凡之处，分辨出这种非凡之处是他们从未领略过的，也是他们今后可能再也没有机会重睹的。于是，人们都愿意为了占有她而倾家荡产，哪怕只要能够挨近她也行。译文3：诺艾丽十七岁时，早先便有的那种美丽就更加显得出类拔萃。她已经成为一个俊俏的女郎：身材苗条。一双媚人的紫色眼睛，加上柔软的淡黄色头发，标致极了。她的皮肤洁白细嫩，好像在蜜糖里浸过似的；胸脯饱满结实，其他各个部分也长得十分匀称；讲起话来清脆悦耳，甜滋滋的，谁见了都会动心。但是，从她身上散发出来的更重要的是天真无邪的气质。肌体上的完美加上少女的天真，使她无论在街上走到哪里，都要招来无数惊异的眼光；有的是属于爱慕的，有的是属于猥亵的。