柳宗元《永州韦使君新堂记》 -英语翻译教程-中英双语赏析

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永州韦使君新堂记

柳宗元
Shijiun Wei’s New Hall in Yongzhou
Liu Zongyuan
《永州韦使君新堂记》记述了韦使君修建新堂的过程和前后的深刻变化,赞颂了他居高望远,顺应民情,铲除残暴,废除贪污,保护贤良和富民的政策。这些过誉之词实则表现了柳宗元对如何作好一方官员的看法,寓示了在被贬谪的困苦中他仍然坚持政治改革的主张和理想,表现了他远大的政治抱负。

将为穹谷嵁岩渊池于郊邑之中,则必辇山石,沟涧壑,凌绝险阻,疲极人力,乃可以有为也。
To create valley, cliff and pond in the city, it is necessary to cart mountain rocks, dig ditches, climb to dangerous heights, and consume human energy. 
🎈文言词汇:「穹谷」:深谷。「嵁岩」:峭壁。「渊池」:深地。「辇」:人推或拉的车,这里用如动词,用车装载的意思。「沟」:这里用如动词,沟通,开凿的意思。「陵绝」:超越。
🎈「乃可以有为也」意思是「才可能办到」,也就是说前文都是实现目的的必要条件,对这一句话稍加引申,也就是「…都是必要的」,译作了「it is necessary to」

 

然而求天作地生之状,咸无得焉。
Despite all these efforts, it is nevertheless impossible to perfectly recreate a scene of natural beauty.
🎈「天作地生之状」意即「天造地设的景致」,译作「a scene of natural beauty」
🎈上一句是说要实现「为穹谷嵁岩渊池」所要付出的诸多努力,这一句更进一步,说明即使上面所言都能做到,「天作地生之状」也是不可得的,暗含让步的逻辑关系,译作了「despite all these efforts」,其中「all these efforts」是对上一句内容的概括。

逸其人,因其地,全其天,昔之所难,今于是乎在。
Yet what was impossible is now realized. The work here is done without exhausting the people, in conformity with the terrain, and with the nature’s grace well preserved.
🎈「逸其人,因其地,全其天」意即「耗费民力,顺应地形,保持天然之美」,在原文是三个动词词组,翻译时进行了词性转换,译作了三个介词词组,分别是「without exhausting the people」,「in conformity with the terrain」以及「with the nature’s grace well preserved」
🎈 in conformity with按照/遵照

 

永州实惟九疑之麓。
Yongzhou is in fact at the foot of the Jiuyi Mountain.
🎈「麓」就是「山麓」,「山脚」之意,译作「the foot of the mountain」

 

其始度土者,环山为城。
The earliest planner built the city around the foot of the mountain.
🎈「度」:量度,这里有勘测规划的意思。「度土者」意即做规划的人,译作「planner」

 

有石焉,翳于奥草;有泉焉,伏于土涂。
There are rocks, but they have been tangled in thick weeds. There are springs, but they have been choked in thick mud.
🎈文言词汇:「翳」:遮蔽。「奥草」:深草。「涂」:污泥。
🎈「tangle」释义为「to twist sth into an untidy mass; to become twisted in this way 使缠结;纠结;乱作一团」,例句如下:
She had tangled up the sheets on the bed as she lay tossing and turning. 
她在床上翻来覆去,把被单弄得乱成一团。

 

蛇虺之所蟠,狸鼠之所游。
It has become a place inhabited by venomous snakes and frequented by wild cats.
🎈文言词汇:「蛇虺」:一种毒蛇。「蟠」:盘屈而伏。
🎈「frequent」在这里是个动词,释义为「to visit a particular place often 常去,常到(某处)」,在这句话中就是「频繁出没」的意思,注意表达积累。

茂树恶木,嘉葩毒卉,乱杂而争植,号为秽墟。
Luxuriant trees intermingle with rotten trees and beautiful flowers with noxious weeds. They contend with each other in violent confusion. The place is indeed a rubbish heap.
🎈文言词汇:「葩」:花。「卉」:草。
🎈「茂树恶木,嘉葩毒卉,乱杂而争植」意思是「嘉树和恶木,鲜花与毒草,混杂一处,竞相疯长」,其中「茂树」译作了「luxuriant trees」,「luxuriant」释义为「growing thickly and strongly in a way that is attractive 茂盛的;浓密的」,注意积累;「混杂」译作了「intermingle with」
🎈contend with与…竞争

 

韦公之来,既逾月,理甚无事。
Wei Gong had made great administrative achievements a month after his arrival at the post. There was nothing more for him to do.
🎈「理」:治理。「既逾月,理甚无事」是说「过了一个月,州政大治,没有多少事情」。「州政大治」这个信息要译出,否则后文的「理甚无事」就会说不通,造成读者理解困难。

望其地,且异之。
He was surprised at the sight of this neglected wilderness.
🎈「异之」是「以之为异」,也就是感到惊异,译作了「surprised」
🎈「望其地」是个动词词组,翻译时进行了词性转换,译作了介词词组「at the sight of…」

 

始命芟其芜,行其涂。积之丘如,蠲之浏如。
He gave instructions to clear the ground of weeds, sweep clean the paths, heap the weeds into a man-made hill, and cleanse the water of the springs to make it crystal clear.
🍒文言词汇:「芟」:割除。「芜」:荒草。「行」:流通,流动,这里是疏导的意思。「蠲」:清洁,使动用法。「浏如」:水清澈的样子。

 

既焚既酾,奇势迭出。
Once the wild rubbish is burned off, the water of the springs flows unobstructed, and beautiful scenes emerge one after another.
🎈文言词汇:「酾」:疏导。
🎈「既焚既酾」要结合上文内容的来翻译,根据「秽墟」「芟其芜」,「焚」的是荒野垃圾;根据「行其涂」,「酾」是疏通水道。

清浊辨质,美恶异位。
Cleanness has substituted filthiness and fine scenery replaced wilderness.
🎈翻译这句话时也要注意具体化,把「清浊」与「美恶」的关系讲清楚,是「清秀代替了污浊,美景代替了荒凉」,「代替」采用了不同的翻译方法,分别译作了「substitute」和「replace」

 

视其植,则清秀敷舒;
Look at the trees; they are tall and graceful, their branches and leaves spreading in all directions. 
🍒「清秀敷舒」意思是「清秀挺拔,枝叶舒展」

 

视其蓄,则溶漾纡余。
Look at the streams; they run in a tortuous course, gently rippling.
🎈文言词汇:「蓄:」指积蓄的湖水。「溶漾」:水动荡的样子。「纡余」:曲折萦绕。
🎈「ripple」释义为to move or to make sth move in very small waves (使)如波浪般起伏,注意表达积累。

 

怪石森然,周于四隅。或列或跪,或立或仆,
All around are rocks of grotesque shapes and appearance, looking awe-inspiring, some arranged in rows, some kneeling, some standing, and some lying prone.
🎈这句话的意思是「怪石森然繁密,环绕四周。有的排列成行,有的如同跪拜,有的站立,有的卧倒」,结构分析:四周的石头奇形怪状,森然挺立,有的…有的…有的…有的….
🎈这句话的主语是「石头」,「怪」是指形态怪异,进行具体化之后译成了介词词组「of grotesque shapes and appearance」
🎈「awe-inspiring」是「令人惊叹的/使人敬畏的」之意。
🎈「prone」释义为「lying flat with the front of your body touching the ground 俯卧的」,这个词还有个常见的用法是用在词组「prone to sth」中,意思是「易于…/有…倾向的」

 

窍穴逶邃,堆阜突怒。
The caves are winding and deep, and the small hills rise up abruptly. 
🎈文言词汇:「窍穴」:这里指山洞。「逶邃」:曲折深远。「突怒」:突兀高耸。

 

乃作栋宇,以为观游。
Wei Gong then has a hall built for his pleasure.
🎈「have sth done」让别人做某事。
🎈「以为观游」意思是「作为观赏游玩的地方」,意即建造此处的目的是为了「观游」,译作了介词词组「for his pleasure」,简单明了。

 

凡其物类,无不合形辅势,效伎于堂庑之下。
Since all things are designed in compliance with the terrain, their beauties are displayed before the main hall and the west and east wings.
🎈文言词汇:「庑」:堂下四周的屋子。
🎈「合形辅势」意思是「适应地形地势」,译作了「in compliance with the terrain」,与上文的「in conformity with the terrain」属变换说法。

 

外之连山高原,林麓之崖,间厕隐显。
Outside, there are uninterrupted mountain ranges and highland as well as precipices and the foot of the forest-clad mountains. All these intermingle with one another. They are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden from view.
🎈「间厕」:参加,这里是交错的意思。
🎈连绵不断的山脉uninterrupted mountain ranges
🎈林木覆盖的forest-clad

 

迩延野绿,远混天碧,咸会于谯门之内。
The green fields stretch far into the distance in union with the blue sky. The watchtower of the hall commands a good view of this scenery.
🎈延伸到远处stretch far
🎈与…融为一体in union with
🎈「咸会于谯门之内」是说「这些景色都汇集在门楼之内」,翻译时转换角度,这句话也就是说「在门楼,这些景色可尽收眼底」,用「门楼」做了主语,采用了「无灵主语+有灵谓语」的结构。

 

已,乃延客入观,继以宴娱。
After the completion of the hall, guests are invited for a grand viewing, and a banquet is given. 
🎈「延」:邀请。
🎈这句话没有补出主语,而是用了被动语态,英文中常用被动。

 

或赞且贺曰:「见公之作,知公之志。
Someone extends congratulation by saying complimentary words, 「People understand your intentions simply by viewing this hall.
🎈赞誉extend congratulation
🎈赞美之词complimentary words

公之因土而得胜,岂不欲因俗以成化?
You have constructed the scenic spot in conformity with the original terrain. Doesn’t it mean that you want to educate people in accordance with the local customs?
🎈「得胜」意思是「开辟出盛景」,译作「constructed the scenic spot」
🎈「因土」意即「顺应地势」,这里又变换说法,译作「in conformity with the original terrain」
🎈「成化」意思是「教化人民」,译作「educate people」

 

公之择恶而取美,岂不欲除残而佑仁?
You have got rid of what is filthy and kept what is beautiful. Doesn’t it mean that you want to eradicate cruelty and protect kindness?
🎈「择」:应作「释」,舍弃。译作「get rid of」摆脱。

公之蠲浊而流清,岂不欲废贪而立廉?
You have dug out the mud from the turbid spring to make it crystal clear. Doesn’t it mean that you want to wipe out corruption and advocate honesty?
🎈「废贪」意即「铲除腐败」,译作「wipe out corruption」
🎈「立廉」意即「提倡廉洁」,译作「advocate honesty」

 

公之居高以望远,岂不欲家抚而户晓?
Your hall commands a far-reaching view from a high position. Doesn’t it mean that you want every family to enjoy a life of peace and opulence?
🎈「居高以望远」就是「登高望远」之意,译作「commands a far-reaching view from a high position」,注意表达积累。
🎈「家抚而户晓」意思是「让每个家庭都安定和富饶」,译作「want every family to enjoy a life of peace and opulence」

 

夫然,则是堂也,岂独草木土石水泉之适欤?
If his words are true, then is the purpose of building this hall simply to please the people by the trees, grass, earth, rocks, and springs?
🎈「适」是个名词,翻译时要转换词性译成动宾词组,译出「怡人心意」,译作「please the people」
🎈「是堂」要进行具体化,是说「建造这个地方的目的」

山原林麓之观欤?
Or simply to make it possible for them to enjoy the scenery of the mountains, fields, and the forest-clad foot of the mountain?
🎈「观」与上文的「适」,同理,都是名词,翻译时要注意具体化,译成动宾词组,译作「enjoy the scenery of」

 

将使继公之理者,视其细知其大也。」
Wei Gong’s real purpose is to enable the future cishi to learn how to govern the nation from these trivial things.
🎈「继公之理者」意思是「继使韦公治理这个州的人」,也就是未来的刺史,译作了「the future cishi」,刺史是中国古代的官职名,翻译时可音译。
🎈琐碎小事trivial things

 

宗元请志诸石,措诸壁,编以为二千石楷法。
I ask to have this piece of writing inscribed on a stone tablet and mounted upon the wall as a model for the future cishi.
🎈文言词汇:「措」:放置。这里是嵌置的意思。「编」:指编入书籍。「二千石」:汉代郡守的俸禄为二千石,后来习惯也称州郡一级的长官为二千石,这里指州刺史。
🎈mounted upon the wall是装裱在墙上之意。
🔥重点词汇
tangle      v.使缠结;纠结;乱作一团
英义
to twist sth into an untidy mass; to become twisted in this way
例句
She had tangled up the sheets on the bed as she lay tossing and turning. 
她在床上翻来覆去,把被单弄得乱成一团。
 
luxuriant    adj. 茂盛的;浓密的
英义
( of plants or hair 植物或头发 ) growing thickly and strongly in a way that is attractive 
例句
Hair that’s thick and luxuriant needs regular trimming. 
健康浓密的头发需要定期修剪。
filthy     adj. 肮脏的;污秽的
英义
very dirty and unpleasant 
例句
His hair was unkempt and filthy. 
他的头发没梳洗,十分脏腻。
 
ripple     v. (使)如波浪般起伏
英义
to move or to make sth move in very small waves 
例句
The sea rippled and sparkled. 
大海波光粼粼
🔥重点表达
按照/遵照in conformity with/in compliance with/in conformity with
混杂intermingle with
与…竞争c ontend with 
看到at the sight of…
怪石rocks of grotesque shapes and appearance
易于…/有…倾向的prone to sth
连绵不断的山脉uninterrupted mountain ranges
林木覆盖的forest-clad
赞誉extend congratulation
赞美之词complimentary words
教化人民educate people
摆脱get rid of
铲除腐败wipe out corruption
提倡廉洁advocate honesty
登高望远commands a far-reaching view from a high position
🔥表达对比
鬼斧神工有几种译法?
然而求(天作地生之状),咸无得焉。
Despite all these efforts, it is nevertheless impossible to perfectly recreate a scene of natural beauty.
 
乘坐水上飞机,游客可以从空中俯瞰形态各异的岛屿,体会大自然的()鬼斧神工。
Take aeroboat, the tourist can look down at from inside sky configuration the islands of each different, experience the uncanny workmanship of nature.
 
美国《国家地理》杂志评选出世界范围内的十大「水上奇迹」,有些乃大自然的(鬼斧神工),有些乃人类的伟大杰作。
The US magazine National Geographic has listed the Top 10 Watery wonders in the world, some of which are the works by nature and others by human creation.

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