成语翻译
成语是中国文化的一颗璀璨明珠。无论是正式文书还是日常交流都涉及成语的使用。
成语是中国文化的一颗璀璨明珠。无论是正式文书还是日常交流都涉及成语的使用。
1、爱不释手
释义:喜爱得舍不得放手。
出处:南朝·梁 萧统《陶渊明集序》:“余爱嗜其文,不能释手。”
直译:
so fond of something that one cannot take one's hands off it.
不过这种译法不符合成语短小精干的特点,所以翻译成语时,我们最常采用的办法其实是意译。
意译:
The novel is so instructive that I can hardly tear myself away from it.
这部小说很有意义,简直使我爱不释手。
第一句采用了词组tear oneself away from something来翻译,突出了动态效果,类似的词组还有很多,比如part with something, let go of something, put something down等。
Not a very enthralling book, but at the first glance you could see there a singleness of intention.
总之,这不是一本令人爱不释手的书;不过,稍稍读一下你就会发现,书的宗旨明确。
第二句则使用形容词,指出之所以爱不释手是因为这本书让人着迷,类似的形容词还有attractive等。
People say that this book is a page-turner.
人们说这本书让人爱不释手。
第三种方式是将爱不释手名词化,用的是page-turner这个词,用口头的话来说就是好看得根本停不下来,也体现了爱不释手这层意思。
2、爱屋及乌
释义:比喻爱一个人而连带地关心到与他有关的人或物。
出处:《尚书大传·大战》:“爱人者,兼其屋上之乌。”
直译:
the love for somebody or something extends to everything related with it
例句:
She loves French fashion, and then extends this love to French culture.
她很喜欢法国时装,爱屋及乌,也喜欢上了法国的文化。
寻找目标语言中的对应表达:Love me, love my dog.
这个译文并非凭空而出,而是英文中原有的表达。这也体现出了成语翻译的另一种思路,即寻找英语中的对应语来翻译。
3、安分守己
释义:规矩老实,守本分,不做违法的事。
出处:宋•袁文《翁牖闲评》八:“彼安分守己,恬于进取者,方且以道义自居,其肯如此侥幸乎?”
直译:
remain in one's proper sphere; abide by law and behave oneself
例句:
That carpenter wanted to become a lawyer, but he was advised to remain in his proper sphere.
那个木匠想当律师,但别人劝他安分守己地干他自己的老本行。
In fact, he is likely to suspect you even when you abided by law and behave yourself.
实际上,甚至在你还一向安分守己的时候,他也会怀疑你。
意译:
The unity of our society is threatened by troublesome and restless minorities.
我们社会的团结遭到了一小撮滋扰生事、不安分守己的群体的威胁。
这句话采用的是以形容词翻译形容词的方式,而下面这句话则是用了一个词组来表达安分守己:
He's picking on Peter, and you know Peter's the last man in the world to cause trouble.
他老是跟彼得过不去。彼得是个最安分守己的人,这你知道。
寻找目标语言中的对应表达:
keep one’s nose clean(行为检点,不作违法的事)
例句:
It's alright here as long as you keep your nose clean; if you don't, they treat you badly.
只要你安分守己,这里就太平。如果你捣乱,他们就会对你不客气。
know one's place(按照自己的身份和地位行事,特别是指自己的地位比较低下的时候)
例句:
They treated their servants well, but expected them always to know their place.
他们对待仆人不坏,但期望他们时时安分守己。
4、安家落户
释义:到一个新地方安家,长期居住。
出处:郭沫若《郑成功》第四章:“台湾每年可收二三季,我们去只要辛苦得几个月,就可以安家落户了。”
直译:
make one's home in
例句:
Many professors have made their homes in Rizhao.
日照吸引了不少教授在这里安家落户。
意译:
Is it a good place to raise a family?
那里是不是一个安家落户的好地方?
这句话用raise a family表达在此地安居的愿望,与安家落户意义相似。
What would happen if an animal that represents a threat to our children becomes able to thrive in urban areas?
(责任编辑:admin)