英语专业八级翻译Lesson 12

英语专业八级翻译Lesson 12

原文呈现

吃饭还有许多社交的功用,臂如联络感情、谈生意经等等,那就是“请吃饭”了。社交的吃饭种类虽然复杂,性质极为简单。把饭给自己有饭吃的人吃,那是请饭;自己有饭可吃而去吃人家的饭,那是赏面子。交际的微妙不外乎此。反过来说,把饭给予没饭吃的人吃,那是施食;自己无饭可吃而去吃人家的饭,赏面子就一变而为丢脸。这便是慈善救济,算不上交际了。至于请饭时客人数目的多少,男女性别的配比,我们改天再谈。

参考译文

Eating also serves many social functions like fostering relationships and doing business, which can be labeled "treatment". Despite its complex types, the essence of social meals is simple and straightforward. For those who can afford food,being invited to others' table is receiving a treatment and their presence would be giving honor. The subtlety of intercourse is no other than this. On the contrary, it is charity to give food to those who cannot afford it. Likewise, their presence would be reduced to mortification. In that condition, the meal is alms rather than intercourse.

难点注释

1.画线部分第一句中的“吃饭还有许多社交的功用”可译为Eating also serves many social functions;“联络感情”在英文中不可照搬,应处理为 fostering relationships。

2.画线部分第三句“把饭给自己有饭吃的人吃,那是请饭;自己有饭可吃而去吃人家的饭,那是赏面子”中两次提及“自己有饭吃的人”,由于英语不喜重复,故本句可将“自己有饭吃的人”提取出来,置于句首;由于“饭”在文中多次出现,为了避免语言单调,可引申为table;“赏面子”可译为giving honor。

3.画线部分第五句的后半句“自己无饭可吃而去吃人家的饭,赏面子就一变而为丢脸”,翻译时应注意上下文的衔接,避免重复,故“自己无饭可吃”宜用those who cannot afford it 替代;由于是进行类比,故可增译 Likewise,增强与上文的联系;此处“一变”有降格的意思,因此宜采用同有此意的be reduced to。

4.画线部分最后一句“这便是慈善救济,算不上交际了”,英文中前指代多用that,故此处“这”不应直译为this;“救济”可译为alms。