2017年12月大学英语四级翻译练习:兵马俑
请将下面这段话翻译成英文:
兵马俑(the Terracotta Army)由于它的历史意义和独特性而成为中国最知名的景点之一。秦始皇于公元前221年统一中国。他下令建造了这个军队的模型。兵马俑意义非常,因为数以百计精美的真人大小的模型代表了当时横扫中国所有其他军队的庞大军队。这个军队是统一的中国能够形成的决定性因素。兵马俑的陶俑(terracotta statues)是用来为秦始皇殉葬的,以彰显他的荣耀。
参考翻译:
The Terracotta Army is one of the most famousattractions in China because of its historicalsignificance and uniqueness.First Emperor of Qinunified China in 221 B.C.He ordered the creation ofthis model army.It is very significant becausehundreds of fine life-size models represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinesearmies at that time.The army was the decisive factor in forming a united China.The army ofterracotta statues was made to be buried with the First Emperor of Qin as a show of his glory.
1.兵马俑由于它的历史意义和独特性而成为中国最知名的景点之一:“由于”后面跟的是词组,因此可译为because of,如果后面是完整的句子则用because。“最知名的景点”可译为themost famous attractions。
2.这个军队是统一的中国能够形成的决定性因素:“决定性因素”可译为decisive factor, decisive意为“决定性的”,与动词decide为同源词,factor意为“因素”。“统一的中国”可译为a united China。
3.兵马俑的陶俑是用来为秦始皇殉葬的,以彰显他的荣耀:该句要首先找准主语和谓语;主语是“兵马俑的陶俑”,可译为the army of terracotta statues。谓语 “是用来”,可译为was made to。其他部分则作表语和状语,“彰显他的荣耀”可译为as a show of his glory,“为...殉葬”可译为be buried with …。