2011年3月中口翻译原文和参考答案
SECTION 3: TRANSLATION TEST (1) (30 minutes)
Directions: Translate the following passage into Chinese and write your version in the corresponding space in your ANSWER BOOKLET.
A majority of the world’s climate scientists have convinced themselves, and also a lot of laymen, some of whom have political power, that the Earth’s climate is changing; that the change, from humanity’s point of view, is for the worse; and that the cause is human activity, in the form of excessive emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
世界上大多数气候科学家不但自己确信,也说服了很多外行人士(其中包括一些政界人士)-- 地球的气候正在改变;这种改变,从人类角度来看,是消极的;这种改变的始作俑者是人类,是由于排放超量的诸如二氧化碳等温室气体而造成的。
A minority, though, are sceptical. Some think that recent data suggesting the Earth’s average temperature is rising are explained by natural variations in solar radiation, and that this trend may be coming to an end. Others argue that there is no conclusive evidence that modern temperatures are higher than they used to be.
少数人对此表示怀疑。一些人认为,最近有充分的数据表明地球平均气温上升是由于太阳辐射的自然波动,而且这种变化已接近尾声。另一些人认为并没有决定性证据表明近现代的地球温度高于古代。
We believe that global warming is a serious threat, and that the world needs to take steps to try to avert it. That is the job of the politicians. But we do not believe that climate change is a certainty. There are no certainties in science. Prevailing theories must be constantly tested against evidence, and more evidence collected, and the theories tested again. That is the job of the scientists.
我们深信,全球气候变暖是一个严峻的威胁,全人类都需要采取行动改变这种状况--这是政治家的职责。但是我们并不认为气候变化已成定局。科学无绝对。流行的理论必须反复经过验证,才能下定论—这是科学家的工作。
【解析】
本次中口英译汉的文章节选自《经济学人》(The Economist)网站2009年11月26日的文章A heated debate,配合当时的哥本哈根气候大会,属于事实热点,文字难度偏低。
第一段里的laymen是一个难点,这里的laymen是指不具有专业科学知识的外行,其中还包括政治家。另外,后文的“for the worse”表示“事情在向坏的方面发展”。
第二段,有第一句统摄,后面分述两种情况,并列关系需要发出来,没有太多难点。
第三段给出了报刊自己的观点,分别对政治家和科学家提出了期望。倒数第二段翻译被动语态时,需要注意,表达时要符合汉语习惯。
SECTION 4: TRANSLATION TEST (2) (30 minutes)
Directions: Translate the following passage into English and write your version in the corresponding space in your ANSWER BOOKLET.
豫园是上海著名的古典园林,已有400多年的历史。花园设计独特,具有明清两代南方的建筑艺术的风格。园内共有40余景, 景色自然迷人,亭台楼阁、假山池塘和谐对称、协调均衡,其布局之精致自古闻名江南。
Renowned as a classical garden in Shanghai, the Yuyuan Garden dates back over 400 years. Its unique design is characterized by the styles of both the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which features the ancient southern architectures. The garden is dotted with 40 attractive scenic spots fascinating the tourists with its pavilions, pagodas, ponds and rockeries. The layout of the garden, which is harmoniously coordinated, has been earning the fame in South China for its delicacy since ancient times.
豫园原为明代一位大官的私家花园,始建于1559年,直到20年后才建成。此后曾几经变迁,屡遭摧残。所幸的是,从1949年上海解放时,园内的主要景点尚完好无损。从1956年开始,豫园经过多次修缮,重现其昔日光彩。
The garden used to be the private garden of a prestigious government official in the Ming Dynasty. Founded in 1559, its construction was not completed until 20 years later. The vicissitudes and ravages ensued. Fortunately, the major scenic spots in the garden remained intact when Shanghai was liberated in 1949. The Yuyuan Garden managed to attain its rejuvenation after several renovations.
【解析】
本段是典型的对外宣传材料,文章以短句为主,很有汉语的音律美。面对这类文章,我们应从意群出发,摆脱句式结构的限制。这样才能写出符合英文习惯的译文。
例如:“园内共有40余景, 景色自然迷人,亭台楼阁、假山池塘、和谐对称、协调均衡,其布局之精致自古闻名江南。”,这里的四字短语,如果逐字逐句翻译的话,就不太好处理了。译文将其处理成两个句子,利用英语的句子成分使语义丰满,这种翻译技法,大家可以借鉴学习。