香港是坐落于中国南端的-个弹丸小岛,150多年前,还被形容为“荒芜之地”(barren rock)。优越的战略位置、通讯条件(communications)和商业文化,促进了香港经济和社会迅速发展。如今,香港已发展成为一个 国际金融商贸中心,并与近200个国家和地区的公司有商业往来。在日趋全球化的经济中,香港正扮演着一个 非常重要的角色。我们相信,香港的未来会更加光明灿烂。
表达难点
1.第1句前后两个分句间联系不太紧密,可将其“拆译”为两个独立的句子。其中,第1个分句可译为Hong Kong is a tiny island located in southern China,也可省略“坐落”(located)不译,因为意思已表达完整。 “弹丸小岛”中的“弹丸”与“小”同义,译为a tiny island即可。
2.第2句“优越的......,促进了......”若直译为... have greatly boosted Hong Kong's economy and society,则主语太长,不符合英语表达习惯。可将句首的3个并列主语处理成表原因的介词结构,如Due to...,符合英语多用介词结构的表达习惯。
3.第3句中的“国际金融商贸中心”可直译为a world-class financial and trading center,但因center前面的修饰成分太长,稍显头重脚轻,故处理为a financial and trading center in the world。“公司”的定语“近200个国家和地区的”较长,故将其处理成后置定语,用介词短语in nearly 200 countries and regions 来表达。
4.第4句中的“扮演着......重要的角色”可套用短语play an important role in...。状语“在日趋全球化的经济中”,按照英文表达习惯,置于句末,译作介词短语in the increasingly globalized economy。
5.最后一句直译为We believe that Hong Kong's future will become brighter and more brilliant,稍显生硬。可考虑照应前文的论述主体(香港),将定语部分的“香港”转换为主语,将原句的主语“未来”转换成宾语,即将该句译作 We believe that Hong Kong will have a brighter and more brilliant future。
参考译文
Hong Kong is a tiny island in southern China. It was described as a "barren rock" over 150 years ago. Due to its superior strategic location, communications and business culture, Hong Kong's economy and society are greatly boosted. Now it has become a financial and trading center in the world. It has commercial links with corporations in nearly 200 countries and regions. Hong Kong is playing an important role in the increasingly globalized economy. We believe that Hong Kong will have a brighter and more brilliant future.