20171219
西湖The West Lake
西湖位于杭州市中心的西部,是江南三大名湖之一。
The West Lake, located in the western area of Hangzhou's center, is one of the top three lakes in the regions south of the Yangtze River.
由于西湖的缘故,杭州自古就被誉为“人间天堂”。
Because of it, Hangzhou has been acclaimed as “a heaven on earth',since ancient times.
西湖就像镶嵌(inlay)在广袤大地上的一颗璀燦的明珠,以其秀丽的风景、闻名的古迹、灿烂的文化和丰富的特产而闻名。
The West Lake is like a shining pearl inlaid on the vast land, renowned for its beautiful scenery, well-known historical sites, brilliant culture, and plentiful local specialties.
宋代大文豪苏轼在西湖留下了“欲把西湖比西子,淡妆浓抹总相宜”的千古绝唱;白娘子的传奇故事(The Legend of White Snake )也给西湖增添了一层神秘色彩。
The literary giant Su Shi in Song Dynasty left a poetic masterpiece through the ages there: The West Lake is like the beauty Xi Shi, who is always charming with either light or heavy make-up (rainy or shiny). The Legend of White Snake also brings the West Lake an air of mystery.
翻译讲解
1.江南:一般指长江以南,这里指“江南地区”,可译为regions south of the Yangtze River。
2.人间天堂:可译为a heaven on earth 或者 an earthly paradise。
3.西湖就像…而闻名:本句较长,后一分句“以…闻名”可使用后置定语结构。另外,注意“秀丽的”、“闻名的”、“灿烂的和丰富的”四个形容词译文的选择。
4.大文豪:文豪就是指“伟大的或者优秀的文学家、作家”,故可译为a literary giant, a great writer 或者 an eminent writer。
5.欲把西湖比西子,淡妆浓抹总相宜:中国古诗词讲究对仗押韵,是最难翻译的,翻译时要完全理解诗词要表达的语义。这句诗词的意思是,“西湖就像是西施,不管淡妆还是浓妆都很美”,且这里的“淡妆浓妆”指的是西湖的“阴晴”,故本句可译为 The West Lake is like the beauty Xi Shi, who is always charming with either light or heavy make-up (rainy or shiny)。