阿俊20171231《十二生肖》

20171231 十二生肖The Twelve Chinese Zodiacs 十二生肖(the twelve Chinese Zodiacs)是中国传统文化的重要组成部分，它们源于自然界的11种动物和一个民族图腾(totem)。 The twelve Chinese Zodiacs, including eleven animals in the nature and a national totem, play an important role in the Chinese traditional culture. 十二生肖代表动物的性格特点各不相同。 The twelve symbolic animals have their own characteristics. 到了龙年或虎年，人们常说“生龙活虎”；马年人们会说“马到成功”；猪在中国人的眼里是“宝”的意思；牛是勤劳（diligence )的象征，这一点在鲁迅的诗句“俯首甘为孺子牛”中有着完美的体现。 In the Year of Dragon or the Year of Tiger, people will say shenglonghuohu—full of vim and vigor; in the Year of Horse, people will say madaochenggong—to gain an immediate success. In Chinese eyes, pig is a “treasure”. Ox is a symbol of diligence, which is well presented in the verse by Lu Xun一an outstanding writer in China, “head bowed, like a willing ox I serve the children”. 翻译讲解 1.生龙活虎、马到成功:中国成语在翻译时可以先译为拼音，再进一步解释其内涵。“生龙活虎”即“精力充沛，活力四射”，可译为vim and vigor； “马到成功”即“快速获得成功”可译为gain an immediate success。 2.牛:生肖中的“牛”用ox来表达，而不用如cattle, cow, bull等其他表示“牛” 的词。 3.俯首甘为孺子牛:可直译为Head bowed, like a willing ox I serve the children;或者根据其表达的“愿意为弱小服务的精神”译为modesty combined with the spirit of willingly serving the young and weak。同时，译文要简略给出鲁迅的身份，以使译文内容更为周全。