溫家寶引用古文 張璐翻譯獲盛讚


  圖:溫總理記者會美女翻譯張璐\中新社

  【本報訊】在今年兩會閉幕後的中外記者會上,溫家寶總理再次顯示出「腹有詩書氣自華」的風采。他引用的古典詩詞,由於中文和英文的文化背景差別很大,其中深刻的文化內涵很難在翻譯中體現出來,一般都只能翻譯大意。即時傳譯張璐在發布會上的表現,在翻譯行家看來,總體上譯得很地道。

  翻譯古文很地道

  復旦大學外文學院翻譯系主任何剛強教授表示,在溫總理的記者招待會上,即席翻譯應當說是做得非常出色的,臨場能發揮到這樣的水平絕不是一件容易的事。中國古詩文的口譯在這種場合,更顯情勢的急迫緊張,幾乎是沒有時間來推敲思考的,只能給出一個大概的(主要的)意思。

  我將在最後一年「守職而不廢,處義而不回」,永遠和人民在一起。

  In my last year in office, I will not waiver and carry out my duties, and will remain true to my conviction, I will always be with the people.

  當然,作為旁聽者,尤其是作為事後諸葛亮,是完全可以對這類譯文發表一些不同的看法。而中國古典詩文在譯成英文的時候,也往往不止有一種譯法,因為不同譯者理解的角度與英語水準都會存在差異。又如「入則懇懇以盡忠,出則謙謙以自誨。」這一句,當場的翻譯是這樣的:

  Officials should serve as loyalas they can conscientiously when they are in office and engage in modest self-reflection when their terms end.

  這樣譯大意也基本表達出來了。但是如果讓何教授譯,他可能會換一種說法:

  Once made in a responsible position, an official should do everything loyal to the country( or to the people), and when his terms end, he should give a self-assessment (selfcriticism) in a humble manner.

  再如:「知我罪我,其惟春秋。」當場的翻譯是:

  There are people who will appreciate what I have done but there are also people who will criticize me, Ultimately, history will have the final say.

  這樣的翻譯雖然極有解釋性味道,但總的意思並沒有發生偏離。如果要講究一點的話,何教授覺得還可以這樣譯:

  What I have done may be appreciated and criticized by the people, yet ultimately history will give me a fair assessment(or judgment).

  何教授不太同意「苟利國家生死以,豈因禍福避趨之」的現場翻譯:

  In line with the conviction that I will do whatever it takes to serve my country even at the cost of my own life, regardless of fortune of misfortune to myself.

  似乎應改成下面的行文可能更好些:

  If a man is willing to sacrifice his life for the interests of his country, he will never mind things concerning his personal fortunes and misfortunes.

  何教授指出,古文的翻譯主要是理解到位,然後是英文要有比較高的水準,如果英文寫作水平不高,譯出來的東西肯定是不能讓人消受的。

  做足準備 臨場不慌

  且看張璐的兩個現場翻譯例子:

  1、「亦余心之所善兮,雖九死其猶未悔。」張璐譯文:For the ideal that I hold dear to my heart, I'd not regret a thousand times to die.

  2、「人或加訕,心無疵兮。」張璐譯文:My conscience stays untainted in spite of rumors and slanders from the outside.

  據媒體報道,由於溫總理的語言非常豐富,談話時常常引用古詩詞和專業詞彙,需要翻譯做大量前期準備工作,一般多會在小本子整理出總理以前說過的古詩句和成語,免得臨場慌亂。據張璐的外交學院小師妹介紹,張璐幾乎每天聽BBC、VOA、CNN,喜歡做筆記,愛看《參考消息》和《環球時報》等。