2017年12月英语四级考试翻译训练 :中国玉

2017年12月英语四级考试翻译训练 :中国玉

　　翻译题目

　　在中国，玉(jade)的历史可以追溯到商朝(the Shang Dynasty)。数千年来，人们都视玉为最珍贵的石头。 在古代，玉是仅限于宗教仪式的物品。在封建社会(imperial society)，玉是财富和社会地位的象征。人们普遍相信玉能辟邪，能保护佩戴者免于灾祸。玉饰不仅能使佩戴者更美丽，还能促进其身体健康。中国的玉石 种类有很多，其中最出名的是新疆的和田玉。

　　表达难点

　　1.在第2句中，“数千年来”表达为for thousands of years 即可，“数”(several)可省译，与之搭配的时态为现在完成时;本文的主题是“玉”，为了上下文论述角度的统一，在翻译该句时宜把主语转换为 “玉”，译作jade has been regarded as...。

　　2.在第5句中，“人们普遍相信”可套用it is widely believed that...句型;“能辟邪，能保护佩戴者免于灾祸” 可用并列结构表达，译为 can ward off the evil and protect the wearer from disaster。

　　3.倒数第2句的主语“玉饰”宜增译为“佩戴玉饰”，以更好地达意，即Wearingjade jewelry can...

　　4. 在最后一句中，“其中最出名的是......”可处理为非限制性定语从句，译为among which the most famous one is...;“新疆的和田玉”实为“在新疆出产的和田玉"，故宜译为Hetian Jade produced in Xinjiang.

　　参考译文

　　The history of jade in China can date back to the Shang Dynasty. For thousands of years, jade has been regarded as the most precious stones. In ancient times, jade was confined to ritual objects only. In imperial society jade was a symbol of wealth and social status. It is widely believed that jade can ward off the evil and protect the wearer from disaster. Wearing jade jewelry can not only help to make the wearer more beautiful, but also promote the health of the wearer. There are various kinds of jade in China, among which the most famous one is Hetian Jade produced in Xinjiang.