2013年12月英语四级考试真题答案卷二_第16页

Part 4

Translation

参考译文与难点注释

The Chinese knot, originally invented by the craftsmen, has become an elegant and colorful art and craft over hundreds of years' improvement. In ancient times’ it was used to record events, but nowadays it is mainly functioning as decorations. "Knot" signifies love, marriage and reunion in Chinese. Often used as gift exchanges or decorations, the Chinese knot is believed to bring good luck as well as ward off evil spirits. The handicraft has been passed down from one generation to another and now is gaining popularity both at home and abroad.

1. 第一句的句子主干是:中国结已经成为一种优雅多 聪的艺术和工艺。"最初是由手工艺人发明的"可 以译作后置定语补充说明"中国结经过数百年不断的改进"可译力时间状语。"不断的改进"可以减译"不断的",直接译为improvement,因力"不断 的"是一个加强语气的词;"一种优雅多彩的艺术和 工艺"中的"优雅多彩的"可以用elegant and colorful来表示。

2. 第四句中"作为礼物交换或用作饰品"是为了"祈求 好运和避邪"，因此可译为Often used as gift exchanges or decorations, the Chinese knot is believed to bring good luck as well as ward off evil spirits.

3. 最后一句中，句子的重心在后面，因此可以选择弱 化处理成 being passed down from one generation to another,也可以将其处理成两个并列结构has been passed down from one generation to another and now is gaining...,为使句子结构更清晰,第二种译法更佳。此外这种形式的手工艺"就是指中国结这种手工艺,故可直接译为The handicraft.