廖承志《致蒋经国信》 -经典散文英译-中英双语赏析

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◎　廖承志　Liao Chengzhi

致蒋经国信

◎　廖承志

经国吾弟：

咫尺之隔，竟成海天之遥 〔1〕  。南京匆匆一晤，瞬逾三十六载。幼时同袍，苏京把晤，往事历历在目 〔2〕  。惟长年未通音问，此诚憾事。近闻政躬违和，深为悬念 〔3〕  。人过七旬，多有病痛，至盼善自珍摄。

三年以来，我党一再倡议贵我两党举行谈判，同捐前嫌 〔4〕  ，共竟祖国统一大业 〔5〕  。惟弟一再声言“不接触，不谈判，不妥协”，余期期以为不可。世交深情，于公于私，理当进言 〔6〕  ，敬希诠察。

祖国和平统一，乃千秋功业 〔7〕  。台湾终必回归祖国，早日解决对各方有利。台湾同胞可安居乐业，两岸各族人民可解骨肉分离之痛，在台诸前辈及大陆去台人员亦可各得其所，且有利于亚太地区局势稳定和世界和平。吾弟尝以“计利当计天下利，求名应求万世名 〔8〕  ”自勉，倘能于吾弟手中成此伟业 〔9〕  ，必为举国尊敬，世人推崇，功在国家，名留青史 〔10〕  。所谓“罪人”之说，实相悖谬。局促东隅，终非久计。明若吾弟，自当了然 〔11〕  。如迁延不决，或委之异日 〔12〕  ，不仅徒生困扰，吾弟亦将难辞其咎 〔13〕  。再者，和平统一纯属内政。外人巧言令色，意在图我台湾，此世人所共知者。当断不断，必受其乱 〔14〕  。愿弟慎思。

孙先生手创之中国国民党，历尽艰辛，无数先烈前仆后继，终于推翻帝制，建立民国 〔15〕  。光辉业迹，已成定论。国共两度合作，均对国家民族作出巨大贡献。首次合作，孙先生领导，吾辈虽幼，亦知一二。再次合作，老先生主其事，吾辈身在其中，应知梗概。事虽经纬万端，但纵观全局，合则对国家有利，分则必伤民族元气 〔16〕  。今日吾弟在台主政，三次合作，大责难谢。双方领导，同窗挚友，彼此相知，谈之更易 〔17〕  。所谓“投降”、“屈事”、“吃亏”、“上当”之说，实难苟同。评价历史，展望未来，应天下为公，以国家民族利益为最高准则 〔18〕  ，何发党私之论！至于“以三民主义统一中国”云云，识者皆以为太不现实，未免自欺欺人 〔19〕  。三民主义之真谛，吾辈深知，毋须争辩。所谓台湾“经济繁荣，社会民主，民生乐利”等等，在台诸公，心中有数，亦毋庸赘言。试为贵党计，如能依时顺势，负起历史责任，毅然和谈，达成国家统一，则两党长期共存，互相监督，共图振兴中华之大业。否则，偏安之局 〔20〕  ，焉能自保。有识之士，虑已及此 〔21〕  。事关国民党兴亡绝续 〔22〕  ，望弟再思。

近读大作，有“切望父灵能回到家园与先人同在 〔23〕  ”之语，不胜感慨系之。今老先生仍厝于慈湖，统一之后，即当迁安故土，或奉化，或南京、或庐山，以了吾弟孝心。吾弟近曾有言：“要把孝顺的心，扩大为民族感情，去敬爱民族，奉献于国家。”旨哉斯言，盍不实践于统一大业！就国家民族而论，蒋氏两代对历史有所交代 〔24〕  ；就吾弟个人而言，可谓忠孝两全。否则，吾弟身后事何以自了。尚望三思。

吾弟一生坎坷，决非命运安排，一切操之在己 〔25〕  。千秋功罪，系于一念之间。当今国际风云变幻莫测，台湾上下众议纷纭。岁月不居，来日苦短，夜长梦多 〔26〕  ，时不我与。盼弟善为抉择 〔27〕  ，未雨绸缪。“寥廓海天，不归何侍？”

人到高年，愈加怀旧，如弟方便，余当束装就道，前往台北探望，并面聆诸长辈教益。“度尽劫波兄弟在，相逢一笑泯恩仇。”遥望南天，不禁神驰 〔28〕  ，书不尽言，诸希珍重，伫候复音 〔29〕  。

老夫人前请代为问安。方良、纬国及诸侄不一。

顺祝

近祺！

廖承志

一九八二年七月二十四日

A Letter to Chiang Ching-Kuo

◎ Liao Chengzhi

July 24, 1982

Dear brother Ching-Kuo,

Who would have expected that the short distance between us should be keeping us poles apart! It is now more than 36 years since our brief encounter in Nanjing. The days we spent together in childhood as well as later in the Soviet capital, however, are still as fresh as ever in my memory. But it’s a pity indeed that we haven’t heard from each other for so many years. Recently it filled me with much concern to learn of your indisposition. Men aged over seventy are liable to illness. I hope you will take good care of yourself.

For three years, we have repeatedly proposed bilateral talks between the two parties to let bygones be bygones and strive together for the great cause of national reunification. But you have time and again insisted upon having “no contact, no talks and no compromise”, which I truly think inadvisable. In view of the public and personal concerns as well as the long-standing deep friendship between our two families, I feel duty-bound to offer you a word of advice for careful consideration.

The peaceful reunification of the motherland will be a great achievement to go down in history. Taiwan is bound to be reunited eventually with the motherland. An early settlement of the problem will be in the interests of all. The compatriots in Taiwan will be able to live in peace and happiness, the people of all nationalities on both sides of the Taiwan straits will be relieved of the pains of separation from their own flesh and blood, and our senior folks in Taiwan and those formerly migrated there from the mainland will all be properly placed and provided for. And, moreover, it will contribute to the stability of Asia and the Pacific region as well as to world peace. You used to seek self-encouragement from the motto, “The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be an everlasting fame.” If you should be instrumental in bringing about the great cause of national reunification, you will certainly win esteem and praise nationwide and your meritorious service to the country will earn you a niche in the temple of fame. It is sheer absurdity to think yourself “guilty” for rendering such a service. After all, dragging out your existence in that tight eastern corner is by no means a permanent solution. This should be crystal clear to a man of your wisdom. Procrastination, hesitation or sleeping over the problem will only lead to adversity and you, my brother, will hardly be able to escape censure. Moreover, peaceful reunification is entirely an internal affair of China. As is known to all, outsiders who are talking glibly against it have designs on our Taiwan. To be irresolute when a prompt decision should be taken would only spell disaster. I, therefore, would like you to think this over carefully.

After going through untold hardships during which countless revolutionaries unflinchingly laid down their lives, the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic. This has been universally recognized as a glorious achievement. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party twice cooperated and on both occasions they made tremendous contributions to the country and the nation. We know something about the first cooperation, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, though we were still young at that time. The second cooperation was presided over by your father and, as participants in it, we should know what it was all about. Complicated as the matter was, an overall view of the situation will show that united, the country and the nation benefit; divided, they suffer. Now, as head of the Taiwan administration, you have unshirkable responsibility for bringing about the third cooperation. Leaders from both sides will find it easier to talk the matter over since they know each other well, having formerly been schoolmates and close friends. I find it really hard for me to subscribe to those views which describe cooperation as “surrender”, “humiliating”, “suffering losses” or “being duped”. In reviewing history or looking ahead to the future, one should be publicminded and put the interests of the country and the nation above all. Why harp on the narrow interests of a party? Such remarks as “unifying China with the Three People’s Principles” are regarded by all thinking people as unrealistic, deceptive and ostrich-like. People of our generation know the true meaning of the Three People’s Principles quite well and there is no need to argue about it. Neither is there any need to dwell on such assertions as Taiwan’s “economic prosperity, democracy and easy livelihood”, the truth of which all gentlemen in Taiwan must be quite aware of. To my mind, if you, for the sake of your party, shoulder the historic task and, going with the stream, take part in peace talks for our national reunification, the two parties will be able to co-exist for a long time to come, supervising each other and making a common effort to revitalize China. Otherwise, content as you are with your present rule over the tight eastern corner, how can such a situation be expected to last for long? This is a question already on the minds of thinking people. It is a matter of survival or extinction for the Kuomintang and I hope you will think it over again.

Recently I was profoundly moved when I read one of your writings in which you expressed the “longing for my father’s soul to return to the homeland and be among the forefathers”. The remains of your father, now still temporarily placed at Cihu, shall, upon national reunification, be immediately moved to the final resting place in Fenghua, Nanjing or Lushan in fulfilment of your filial wishes. You recently said, “Filial devotion should be expanded into national devotion, which means love of the nation and dedication to the country.” Well said! Why don’t you apply it to the great cause of national reunification? As far as the country and the nation are concerned, you will have fulfilled the task imposed on you and your father by history; as far as you yourself are concerned, this will be an expression of both loyalty and filial piety. Otherwise how could you account for yourself after your passing away? I hope you will think more about it.

Dear brother, the frustrations marking your lifetime are by no means predestined. You yourself alone are master of your own fate. Merits and demerits to be recorded in history hinge on the decision made in a moment. The present international situation is capricious. Throughout Taiwan people of all strata are talking about their future. Time does not stay and brief is the day. A long night invites bad dreams; time and tide wait for no man. I hope you, my brother, will make a wise choice and repair the house before it rains. “Vast is the expanse of sky and water. What are you waiting for, staying away from home?”

The longing for old friends grows with age. If it suits your convenience, I will pack and go on a visit to Taibei to consult our elders. “For all the disasters the brotherhood has remained; a smile at meeting and enmity is banished.” When I look south towards the distant horizon, my heart cannot help going out to my compatriots there. No word is enough to express what I wish to say. It is hoped that you will take good care of yourself. I am looking forward to a reply from you.

Please convey my regards to your mother as well as to Fang-Liang, Wei-Kuo and the children.

Best wishes to you.

Liao Chengzhi

附：新华社英译电讯稿

Dear brother Ching-Kuo,

No one ever expected that a strip of water should have become so vast a distance. It is now 36 years since our brief rendezvous in Nanjing. From our childhood friendship to our chats in the Soviet capital, everything in the past is still alive in my memory. But it’s unfortunate that we haven’t heard from each other for so many years. Recently I was told that you are somewhat indisposed and this has caused me much concern. Men in their seventies are often afflicted with illness. I sincerely hope that you will take good care of yourself.

Over the past three years, our party has repeatedly proposed talks with your party to bury the hatchet and work jointly to accomplish the great cause of national reunification. But you have time and again announced that there should be “no contact, no talks and no compromise”, which I think is inadvisable. Considering both the public interests and our close friendship which has lasted for generations, I regard it as my duty to offer some advice which I hope you will consider carefully.

The peaceful reunification of the motherland would be a great achievement to be recorded in history. Taiwan is bound to return to the embrace of the motherland eventually. An early settlement would be in the interests of all. The compatriots in Taiwan would be able to live in peace and happiness, the people of all nationalities on both sides of the Taiwan straits would no longer have to endure the pains of separation from their kith and kin, and the elders in Taiwan and those who have moved there from the mainland would all be properly placed and provided for. And this would contribute to the stability of Asia and the Pacific region as well as to world peace. You used to spur yourself on with the axiom: “The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be a fame that would last forever.” If the great cause of reunification would be accomplished through your work, you will certainly win the esteem of the nation and the praise of all. You would be doing a meritorious service to the country and your name would be inscribed in the temple of fame. It is preposterous to regard such a service as a “guilt”. After all, putting up in that tight eastern corner is not a long-term solution. This is of course quite clear for a man as intelligent as you. Hesitation, procrastination or leaving the problem to other days would only lead to difficulty and distress and you, my brother, would hardly be able to escape the blame. Moreover, peaceful reunification is entirely an internal affair of China. Those outsiders who talk glibly about it have designs on our Taiwan. This is common knowledge. When a decision needs to be made, irresolution is bound to bring trouble. I hope you will consider this carefully.

The Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen endured countless hardships and finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic; numerous revolutionaries advanced wave after wave and laid down their lives for the cause. History has recorded this as a glorious contribution. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party twice cooperated and on both occasions they made tremendous contributions to the country and the nation. We know something about the first cooperation, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, though we were still young at that time. The second cooperation proceeded with your father in the chair and, as participants in it, we should know what it was all about. Though the matter was as complicated as could be, an allround view of the situation would show that cooperation is beneficial to the country and the nation while division is detrimental to them. Since you are presiding over the administration of Taiwan, you have unshirkable responsibility for the realization of cooperation for the third time. It would be easier to talk the matter over when leaders on both sides used to be schoolmates and close friends who know one another well. I find it really hard for me to subscribe to those views which describe cooperation as “surrender”, “humiliating”, “suffering losses” or “being duped”. In reviewing history or looking forward to the future, one should bear in mind the public interests of the country and the nation, and use this as the supreme criterion, instead of basing oneself on a party’s selfish interests. Such talks as “reunifying China with the Three People’s Principles” are regarded by all sensible people as unrealistic, deceptive and self-deceiving. People of our generation know the true meaning of the Three People’s Principles quite well and there is no need to argue about it. Neither is there any need to dwell on such assertions as Taiwan’s “economic prosperity, democracy and easy livelihood”, the truth of which the venerable gentlemen in Taiwan know clearly. For the sake of your party, I would think that if you would take up the historical responsibility and resolutely take part in peace talks to accomplish national reunification as required by time and tide, the two parties would be able to co-exist for a long time to come, supervising each other while joining in glorious effort to revitalize China. Otherwise how could the situation existing in that small corner to be maintained for long? This is a question those who are sensible are already turning over in their minds. It involves the survival and development of the Kuomintang and I hope you will think it over again.

I recently read one of your writings in which you expressed “fervent hopes that my father’s soul would be able to return to the homeland and be reunited with the forefathers”. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I read this. The remains of your father are still placed temporarily at Cihu. After reunification, they should be moved back and buried in the native soil — in Fenghua, Nanjing or Lushan — in fulfilment of your filial wishes. You recently said, “Filial devotion should be expanded into national devotion, which means love of the nation and dedication to the country.” This is an excellent statement. Why don’t you apply it to the great cause of national reunification? As far as the country and the nation are concerned, this would be an answer of the two generations of the Chiangs to history; as far as you yourself are concerned, this would be an expression of both loyalty and filial piety. Otherwise how could you account for yourself after your passing away? It is hoped that you would think more about it.

Dear brother! Your life has been marked by frustrations, which should not be attributed to fate. Everything depends on yourself. The good and ill to be judged in the next thousand years hinges on the decision made in a moment. The present international situation is capricious. Throughout Taiwan people of all strata are talking about their future. Time does not stay and brief is the day. A long night is fraught with dreams; time does not wait for us. I hope you, my brother, would be good at making the choice and repair the house before it rains. “Vast is the expanse of sky and water. What are you waiting for, staying away from home?”

The longing for old friends grows with age. If it is convenient to you, I would pack and set out for a visit to Taibei to seek enlightenment from our elders. “For all the disasters the brotherhood has remained; a smile at meeting and enmity is banished.” When I look towards the distant southern sky, my heart is already there. No word is enough to express what I wish to say. It is hoped that you will take good care of yourself. I am waiting impatiently for a reply.

Please convey my regards to your mother as well as to Fang-Liang, Wei-Kuo and the children.

Best wishes to you.

Liao Chengzhi

July 24, 1982

廖承志（1908—1983）1982年7月24日致台湾蒋经国信曾由我国新华社译成英文电讯稿。现参阅该电讯稿加以重译，并附原译于书后。

注释

〔1〕 “咫尺之隔，竟成海天之遥”的原译为No one ever expected that a strip of water should have become so vast a distance，未充分表达原文的感叹口气以及“海天之遥”与当前两岸的关系。现改译为Who would have expected that the short distance between us should be keeping us poles apart!，其中poles apart 作widely separated解。此句形式上为疑问句，实为感叹句，故句尾接感叹号。

〔2〕 “幼时同袍，苏京把晤，往事历历在目”的原译为From our childhood friendship to our chats in the Soviet capital, everything in the past is still alive in my memory，基本上逐字直译，流畅不足。现改译为The days we spent together in childhood as well as later in the Soviet capital, however, are still as fresh as ever in my memory，其中are still as fresh as ever比still remain fresh强调。

〔3〕 “近闻政躬违和，深为悬念”的原译为Recently I was told that you are somewhat indisposed and this has caused me much concern，采用复合句逐字直译，欠简练。现用简单句改译为Recently it filled me with much concern to learn of your indisposition。

〔4〕 “我党一再倡议贵我两党举行谈判，同捐前嫌”的原译为our party has repeatedly proposed talks with your party to bury the hatchet。为了避免party一词的重复出现，现改译为we have repeatedly proposed bilateral talks between the two parties to let bygones be bygones。

〔5〕 “共竟祖国统一大业”的原译为work jointly to accomplish the great cause of national reunification。为突出“共同力求”的内涵，现将此句改译为strive together for the great cause of national reunification。

〔6〕 “世交深情，于公于私，理当进言”的原译为Considering both the public interests and our close friendship which has lasted for generations, I regard it as my duty to offer some advice which I hope you will consider carefully，其中有三处欠妥：1．“于公于私”译为the public interests，未交代“于私”；2．“世交深情”中的“世交”实际上只从双方父辈（廖仲恺和蒋介石）开始，原译却把它扩大到“祖祖辈辈”（for generations）；3．句子欠紧凑。现改译为In view of the public and personal concerns as well as the long-standing deep friendship between our two families, I feel duty-bound to offer you a word of advice for careful consideration。

〔7〕 “乃千秋功业”译为a great achievement to go down in history，其中to go down是成语，作“被载入”解，也可译为to be recorded in history。

〔8〕 “计利当计天下利，求名应求万世名”译为The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be an everlasting fame, 前后都是简单句，形成排比。原译为The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be a fame that would last forever，前后稍欠匀称。

〔9〕 “倘能于吾弟手中成此伟业”译为If you should be instrumental in bringing about the great cause of national reunification，其中instrumental作“有助于”（helpful）解。原译为If the great cause of national reunification would be accomplished through your work，语言欠地道。又would一词用得欠规范，应改为should。

〔10〕 “功在国家，名留青史”译为your meritorious service to the country will earn you a niche in the temple of fame，其中a niche in the temple of fame是成语，作“留芳百世”解，与a lasting fame同义。

〔11〕 “明若吾弟，自当了然”译为This should be crystal clear to a man of your wisdom。原译为This is of course quite clear for a man as intelligent as you。注意wisdom着重“判断是非的能力”，intelligent着重“理解力”。

〔12〕 “委之异日”译为sleeping over the problem，其中sleep over或sleep on是成语，作“暂缓对……作出决定”（to postpone a decision about…）解。原译是leaving the problem to other days．

〔13〕 “难辞其咎”译为hardly be able to escape censure，其中censure和the blame同义，但前者比较有力。

〔14〕 “当断不断，必受其乱”译为To be irresolute when a prompt decision should be taken would only spell disaster，其spell作“招致”、“带来”解。

〔15〕 “孙先生手创之中国国民党，历尽艰辛，无数先烈前仆后继，终于推翻帝制，建立民国”的原译为The Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen endured countless hardships and finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic; numerous revolutionaries advanced wave after wave and laid down their lives for the cause，其中把“无数先烈前仆后继”单独译成一句，使全文缺乏连贯性，层次不清。现改译为After going through untold hardships during which countless revolutionaries unflinchingly laid down their lives, the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic。

〔16〕 “事虽经纬万端，但纵观全局，合则对国家有利，分则必伤民族元气”的原译为Though the matter was as complicated as could be, an all-round view of the situation would show that cooperation is beneficial to the country and the nation while division is detrimental to them，其中未能用简练的手法表达原文后半部的排比结构；同时would一词也用得欠规范。现改译为Complicated as the matter was, an overall view of the situation will show that united, the country and the nation benefit; divided, they suffer。

〔17〕 “双方领导，同窗挚友，彼此相知，谈之更易”的原译为It would be easier to talk the matter over when leaders on both sides used to be schoolmates and close friends who know one another well，其中后半部分缺乏逻辑性。现改译为Leaders from both sides will find it easier to talk the matter over since they know each other well, having formerly been schoolmates and close friends。

〔18〕 “应天下为公，以国家民族利益为最高准则”意即“应一心为公，以国家民族利益高于一切”，故英译为should be public-minded and put the interests of the country and the nation above all。原译为should bear in mind the public interests of the country and the nation, and use this as the supreme criterion，与原文意思有出入，原因是对原文的理解仅限于某些字面。

〔19〕 “识者皆以为太不现实，未免自欺欺人”译为are regarded by all thinking people as unrealistic, deceptive and ostrichlike，其中thinking people意即“有见解的人”；ostrich-like本来的意思是“鸵鸟般的”或“藏头露尾的”，现作“自欺的”解。

〔20〕 “偏安之局”的意思为“偏据一方以自安”，故译为content as you are with your present rule over the tight eastern corner。

〔21〕 “有识之士，虑已及此”意即“有头脑的人都已经为此担忧”。原译为This is a question those who are sensible are already turning over in their minds。现改译为This is a question already on the minds of thinking people。原译中的turning over in their minds作“反复思考”解；on the minds才作“担忧”解。

〔22〕 “事关国民党兴亡绝续”的原译为It involves the survival and development of the Kuomintang，其中把“兴亡绝续”译为survival and development，与原意有出入。现将原句改译为It is a matter of survival or extinction for the kuomintang。

〔23〕 “与先人同在”的原译为be reunited with the forefathers，稍欠自然。现改译为be among the forefathers。

〔24〕 “蒋氏两代对历史有所交代”的原译为this would be an answer of the two generations of the Chiangs to history，由于逐字直译，未能达意。现改译为you will have fulfilled the task imposed on you and your father by history。

〔25〕 “一切操之在己”的上一句为“决非命运安排”，故英译时按“由自己掌握命运”的意思译为You yourself alone are master of your own fate。原译为Everything depends on yourself。

〔26〕 “夜长梦多”中的“梦”为“恶梦”，比喻“不好的事”或“节外生枝”，故译全句为A long night invites bad dreams。原译为A long night is fraught with dreams。

〔27〕 “善为抉择”的意思应为“作出明智的选择”，故译为will make a wise choice。

〔28〕 “不禁神驰”译为my heart cannot help going out to…，其中to go out to 是成语，作“在感情上被……所吸引”（be emotionally drawn to）解。

〔29〕 “伫候复音”的原译为I am waiting impatiently for a reply。现改译为I am looking forward to a reply from you。

未经允许不得转载：帕布莉卡 » 廖承志《致蒋经国信》 -经典散文英译-中英双语赏析