The Commercial Press and I叶圣陶Ye Shengtao如果有人问起我的职业，我就告诉他：我当过教员，又当过编辑，当编辑的年月比当教员多得多。If I’m asked what profession I’ve been following, I say I’ve been a teacher and editor with a much longer experience in editing than teaching.Q:「当编辑的年月比当教员多得多」该怎么翻译？🎈这一句可以直译为I’ve spent more time editing than teaching.但译作…with a much longer experience in editing than teaching则更为简练，其中a much longer experience代替much more time。现在眼睛坏了，连笔划也分辨不清了，有时候免不了还要改一些短稿，自己没法看，只能听别人念。Now, because of my failing eyesight, I even have difficulty in identifying Chinese characters. Nevertheless, occasionally I’m still called upon to revise some short articles. Unable to see the manuscripts well, I have to rely on someone to read them out for me.Q：「只能听别人念」该怎么翻译？🎈这里的意思是「只能靠别人把稿子朗读给我听」，译作I have to rely on someone to read them out for me.其中read out是成语，意为「朗读」。🎈「现在眼睛坏了」是指「我现在视力不断衰退」，译作because of my failing eyesight，充当原因状语。做编辑工作是进了商务印书馆才学的。It was not until I entered The Commercial Press that I learned how to go about editorial work.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈这一句可以理解为「直到我进了商务印书馆才开始学做编辑工作」，可译作It was not until I entered The Commercial Press that I learned how to go about editorial work.其中It was not until …that …是一个对时间进行强调的强调结构。记得第一次校对，我把校样读了一遍，不曾对原稿，校样上漏了一大段，我竟没有发现。I remember how I bungled the job when I did proofreading for the first time. It happened that I read the proof sheet without checking it against the original text. Consequently I missed out a whole paragraph in proof.Q：「记得第一次校对」这一句该怎么翻译？🎈这一句按照字面可译作I remember how I did proofreading for the first time，但译作I remember how I bungled the job when I did proofreading for the first time.则更符合原意。其中I bungled the job意为「把工作搞糟」，是译文中的增益成分，是为了配合上下文的需要。一位专职校对看出来了，他用红笔在校样上批了几个字退回给我，弄得我很不好意思。A full-time proofreader discovered it and sent the proof back to me with a comment scribbled in red ink about my mistake. I felt deeply embarrassed.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈「他用红笔在校样上批了几个字退回给我」译作sent the proof back to me with a comment scribbled in red ink about my mistake，其中「批了几个字」是指指出我的错误，即with a comment … about my mistake.我才知道编辑不好当，丝毫马虎不得，必须认认真真一边干一边学。I then realized that it was no easy job to be an editor and that I had to be very careful and train on the job earnestly.Q:这一句该怎么翻译？🎈「我才知道编辑不好当」意即「编辑这份工作并不好做」，因此译作it was no easy job to be an editor。🎈「丝毫马虎不得」译作I had to be very careful，运用了「反话正译」的翻译手法。我进商务是1923年春天，朱经农先生介绍的。朱先生当时在编辑所当国文部和史地部的主任。I entered The Commercial Press in the spring of 1923 on the recommendation of Zhu Jingnong, who was then in charge of the Chinese as well as History and Geography Section under the Editing and Translating Department.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈「朱先生当时在编辑所当国文部和史地部的主任」是对上文所提到的「朱经农先生」进行简单介绍，在翻译时可以处理为由who引导的非限制性定语从句，对前面提到的人进行补充说明，即…Zhu Jingnong, who was then in charge of the Chinese as well as History and Geography Section under the Editing and Translating Department.我在国文部，跟顾颉刚兄一同编《新学制中学国文课本》。At the Chinese Section where I belonged I co-compiled with Gu Xiegang New Chinese Textbook for Middle Schools.Q：「顾颉刚兄」该怎么翻译？🎈此处是原文作者对于他人的尊称，翻译时为了便于国外读者理解，直接翻译人名即可，译作Gu Xiegang。这套课本的第一册是另外几位编的，其中有周予同兄。我参与了那时候颁发的“新学制中学国文课程标准”的拟定工作。Its first volume was jointly compiled by several other editors, among them Zhou Yutong. I took part in drafting guidelines for compiling the textbook.Q：among them Zhou Yutong在整句话中做什么成分？🎈从全句来看，这一句是一个独立主格结构，其完整形式应该为Zhou Yutong was among them.这一独立主格结构是由名词+副词的形式构成的。1927年6月，郑振铎兄去欧洲游历，我代他编《小说月报》，跟徐调孚兄合作。In June 1927, When Zheng Zhenduo was on leave touring Europe, I acted on his behalf as editor of the magazine Fiction Monthly, with Xu Diaofu as my collaborator.Q：「郑振铎兄去欧洲游历」这一句该怎么翻译？🎈这一句可译作Zheng Zhenduo was on leave touring Europe，可以译作Zheng Zhenduo was absent in Europe on a tour或Zheng Zhenduo was on his European tour。商务办了十几种杂志，除了大型的综合性的《东方杂志》人比较多，有十好几位，其余的每种杂志只有四位。The Commercial Press then published more than ten different periodicals, of which the biggest was Eastern Magazine, a comprehensive publication with a staff of more than ten. The other magazines were each run by a staff of only four.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈原文中所提到的「…人比较多」和「..只有四位」都是指杂志编辑的人数，因此要译作…with a staff of more than ten，..each run by a staff of only four。《小说月报》除了调孚兄和我，还有两位管杂务的先生。他们偶尔也看看校样，但是不能让人放心。In addition to Xu and me, Fiction Monthly had on its staff two men in charge of sundry matters. Occasionally they also did some proofreading, but we didn’t have enough confidence in them.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈Fiction Monthly had on its staff two men in charge of sundry matters中two men in charge of sundry matters是前面的its staff的同位语，起到补充说明的作用。🎈「看看校样」在这里是指「做校对工作」，译作did some proofreading。那时正是大革命之后，时代的激荡当然会在文学的领域里反映出来。It was the post-Great Revolution days when the stirring times found expression in literature.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈「那时正是大革命之后」是指「大革命之后的一段时间」，因此要译作the post-Great Revolution days，days在这里表示一段时间。🎈注意「时代的激荡」这一偏正短语在翻译时要译作the stirring times，重心落在「时代」二字上。那两年里，《小说月报》上出现了许多有新意的作品，也出现了许多新的名字，最惹人注意的是茅盾、巴金和丁玲。For two consecutive years, there appeared in Fiction Monthly a great many works full of new ideas and also a great many new names, of which the most conspicuous were Mao Dun, Ba Jin and Ding Ling.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈「最惹人注意的是茅盾、巴金和丁玲」处理为前面内容的非限制性定语从句，进行补充说明，译作of which the most conspicuous were Mao Dun, Ba Jin and Ding Ling，还原为一般形式则为Of a great many new names, the most conspicuous were Mao Dun, Ba Jin and Ding Ling.当时大家不知道茅盾就是沈雁冰兄。他过去不写小说，只介绍国外的作品和理论。People at that time did not know that Mao Dun was the pseudonym for Shen Yanbing. He had up to then written no fiction, but articles introducing foreign literary works and theories.Q：「当时大家不知道茅盾就是沈雁冰兄」该怎么翻译？🎈这一句的意思是「当时大家不知道茅盾就是沈雁冰的笔名」，译作People at that time did not know that Mao Dun was the pseudonym for Shen Yanbing.🎈「只介绍国外的作品和理论」是指「只写介绍国外的作品和理论的文章」，译作…but articles introducing foreign literary works and theories。巴金和丁玲两位都不相识，是以后才见面的。I was not acquainted with Ba Jin and Ding Ling. I met them later.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈原文省略了主语「我」，在翻译时要将其补充出来，如「巴金和丁玲两位都不相识」意为「我当时不认识巴金和丁玲」，译作I was not acquainted with Ba Jin and Ding Ling.等振铎兄从欧洲回来，休息了一些日子，我就把《小说月报》的工作交回给他，回到国文部编《学生国学丛书》，时间记不太准，总在1929年上半年。After Zheng Zhenduo had taken a short rest upon his return from Europe, I gave him back my duties at Fiction Monthly and resumed my work at the Chinese Department, this time compiling Chinese National Culture Series for Students. I’m not able to recall the exact date, but I’m sure it was in the first half of 1929.Q：「总在1929年上半年」该怎么翻译？🎈结合上文，这一句的意思是「我确定这个时间一定是在1929年的上半年」，译作but I’m sure it was in the first half of 1929。到第二年下半年，我又去编《妇女杂志》，跟金仲华兄合作。In the second half of the next year, I co-edited Women’s Magazine with Jin Zhonghua.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈「我又去编《妇女杂志》，跟金仲华兄合作」的意思是「我和金仲华兄合作编写《妇女杂志》」，译作I co-edited Women’s Magazine with Jin Zhonghua.这样翻译要比按照原文字面直译更为简洁地道。1931年初，开明书店创办《中学生》杂志，过了不久，夏丏尊先生章锡琛先生要我去帮忙，我就离开了商务。我在商务当编辑一共八个年头。Early in 1931, soon after Kaiming Bookstore started its publication of the magazine Middle School Students, Xia Mianzun and Zhang Xichen asked me to help them with editing the new magazine. So I quit The Commercial Press after being with it for eight years.Q：原文该怎么翻译？🎈「夏丏尊先生章锡琛先生要我去帮忙」是指要我去帮他们编辑新杂志，译作asked me to help them with editing the new magazine。商务创办于1898年，老板是几位印《圣经》发家的工人；When The Commercial Press was established in 1898, its proprietors were some ex-workers who had become rich by printing The Bible.Q：「老板是几位印《圣经》发家的工人」该怎么翻译？🎈这一句译作its proprietors were some ex-workers who had become rich by printing The Bible，ex-workers是指老板曾经的身份是工人，而现在已经不是了。此外，「发家」译作become rich，即「变得富有」两年以后，维新派的知识分子参加进去，成立了编译所，一个编译、印刷、发行三者联合的文化企业就初具规模了。Two years later, when the Editing and Translating Department was set up with the participation of reformist intellectuals, a cultural enterprise with the triple function of editing and translating, printing and publishing began to take shape.Q：「一个编译、印刷、发行三者联合的文化企业就初具规模了」该怎么翻译？🎈「编译、印刷、发行三者联合的」是指这一企业具备了这三种职能，因此译作a cultural enterprise with the triple function of editing and translating, printing and publishing began to take shape，其中began to take shape对应原文中的「初具规模」，意为「开始成型」。后来业务逐渐发展，就编译和出版的书籍杂志来说，文史哲理工医音体美，无所不包；有专门的，有通俗的，甚至有特地供家庭妇女和学前儿童阅读的。As its business developed gradually, books and periodicals edited, translated and published by it covered all fields, such as literature, history, philosophy, science, engineering, medicine, music, physical culture, fine arts, etc. Some were specialized and some intended for general readership, and even for housewives and pre-school children.Q：原文该怎么翻译？🎈「文史哲理工医音体美，无所不包」是指编译和出版的书籍杂志囊括了各个领域，在翻译时要交代清楚，译作books and periodicals edited, translated and published by it covered all fields, such as literature, history, philosophy, science, engineering, medicine, music, physical culture, fine arts, etc.🎈「有通俗的」这里是指大众都可以阅读的图书杂志，译作some intended for general readership。此外还贩卖国外的书刊、贩卖各种文具和体育器械，还制造仪器标本和教学用品供应各级学校，甚至还摄制影片，包括科教片和故事片。It also sold foreign books and periodicals, and various stationery and sports requisites. It also manufactured instruments, specimens and teaching aids for schools. It even produced films, including popular science and feature films.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈原文小句较多，在翻译时可以根据意思来断句处理，将其切分为三个句子，干脆利落，表达内容清晰，便于读者理解。业务方面之广和服务对象之广，现在的任何一家出版社都不能和商务相比。商务的这个特点，现在不大有人说起了。None of the present-day publishing houses can compare with it in the scope of business and number of customers. Yet people today seldom mention its outstanding features.Q：原文该怎么翻译？🎈「业务方面之广和服务对象之广」是用来形容其业务范围和服务对象的数量，在翻译时可直接译作the scope of business and number of customers。🎈「商务的这个特点，现在不大有人说起了」译作Yet people today seldom mention its outstanding features.此外，还可译作Yet people today seem to have forgotten its outstanding features.这样翻译是取其深层内涵。商务的编译所是个知识分子汇集的地方，人员最多的时候有三百多位。The Editing and Translating Department of The Commercial Press boasted a galaxy of talent, sometimes topping 300.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈这一句可以有几种不同的译法：The Editing and Translating Department of The Commercial Press was staffed by a large number of intellectuals, sometimes reaching the peak of 300./ The Editing and Translating Department of The Commercial Press had a large number of scholars in its employ, sometimes as many as 300./ The Editing and Translating Department of The Commercial Press boasted a galaxy of talent, sometimes topping 300. 其中第三种中的boast不仅有「拥有」之意，还带有「自豪」的含义；a galaxy of talent表示「人才济济」的同时，还突出人才「出色」「杰出」的意思。此外，talent也可改用复数talents，topping的意思等同于exceeding。早期留美回来的任鸿隽、竺可桢、朱经农、吴致觉诸先生，留日回来的郑贞文、周昌寿、李石岑、何公敢诸先生，都在商务的编译所工作过。Scholars who came to work there at different times included returned student from the US like Ren Hongjuan, Zhu Kezhen, Zhu Jingnong, Wu Zhijue, etc. and those from Japan like Zheng Zhenwen, Zhou Changshou, Li Shicen, He Gonggan, etc.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈根据上文所提到的「商务的编译所是个知识分子汇集的地方」，这里是对不同时期的在这里工作过的一些人员进行介绍，所以在翻译时可以先进行一个总体性的交代，即Scholars who came to work there at different times included…，这样可以使上下文衔接更为紧密，便于读者理解文意。稍后创办的几家出版业如中华、世界、大东、开明，骨干大多是从商务出来的；还有许多印刷厂装订厂，情形也大多相同。The core members of the later-established publishing houses, such as Zhonghua, Shijie, Dadong and Kaiming, were mostly former employees of The Commercial Press. The same was true of many printing houses and bookbinderies.Q：「大多是从商务出来的」该怎么翻译？🎈这里的意思是「这些人大多都是商务编译所之前的员工」，译作were mostly former employees of The Commercial Press，如此翻译简洁地道，且符合原意。可以这样说，商务为我国的出版事业，从各方面培养了大批技术力量。It can be fitly concluded that The Commercial Press has trained a huge army of technical personnel for China’s publishing industry.Q：「可以这样说」该怎么翻译？🎈「可以这样说」一般可译作It can be said that…，so to speak，you can say等等，在这里译作It can be fitly concluded that，其中conclude含有「得出结论」的意味，用在此处是对上文所述内容进行一个总结性的评价，因此比其他表达更符合原文语意。有趣的是1949年10月新中国成立，政务院有个管出版事业的直属机构叫出版总署，胡愈老任署长，周建老和我任副署长，二十多年前在商务编译所共事的老朋友又聚在一起了。Interestingly enough, when the General Administration of Publication was established following the birth of New China to take charge of publication directly under the Government Administration Council, Hu Yuzhi was appointed as its director and Zhou Jianren and I as its deputy directors. So the three old friends who had been colleagues over 20 years before at the Editing and Translating Department the The Commercial Press met again.Q：这一句怎么翻译？🎈根据原文内容，「二十多年前在商务编译所共事的老朋友又聚在一起了」之前将一件事情交代完毕，因此翻译时可以在这里进行断句，干脆利落。🎈根据上下文，「政务院有个管出版事业的直属机构叫出版总署」是为了强调出版总署是在当时建立的，翻译时要将这一信息呈现出来，即the General Administration of Publication was established following the birth of New China to take charge of publication directly under the Government Administration Council。后来人民教育出版社成立，我兼任社长。Later, I became currently director of the People’s Education Publishing House.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈这一句译作Later, I became currently director of the People’s Education Publishing House.其中指示现在的时间点的currently用在过去时态中，是说明在过去的「当下」发生的事情。1954年9月，出版总署撤销，这一摊工作并入文化部。胡愈老调到文化部，出版工作仍旧由他主管；我调到教育部，主要还是在人民教育出版社做编辑工作。In September 1954, when the General Administration of Publication was dissolved, Hu Yuzhi was transferred to the Ministry of Culture to take charge of publication, and I was transferred to the Ministry of Education while still doing editing at the People’s Education Publishing House.Q：这一句该怎么翻译？🎈「这一摊工作并入文化部」与后面的「出版工作仍旧由他主管」语意相同，因此可以进行整合翻译，即Hu Yuzhi was transferred to the Ministry of Culture to take charge of publication。这一二十年来，老朋友过世的不少，周建老、胡愈老和我还健在。有人说，做出版工作的人就是长寿。During the past 20 years or so, many old friends have passed away. Zhou, Hu and I, however, are still living and enjoy good health. It is said that people in the publishing trade live longer.Q：「健在」怎么翻译？🎈「健在」一词包含有两层意思，首先是「活着」，其次是「健康地」，因此在翻译时这两层语意都要体现出来，即are still living and enjoy good health。🔥必背词汇bungle v.笨拙地做；失败英义to do sth. badly or without skill; to fail at sth. 例句Don’t let him mend your bike. He’s sure to bungle the job.别让他修理你的自行车. 他肯定会弄得一团糟的.earnest adj.非常认真的；诚实的；真诚的英义very serious and sincere 例句Despite her earnest efforts, she could not find a job.尽管她已尽心竭力，但是仍然找不到工作。sundry adj.杂项的英义(formal) various; not important enough to be named separately 例句She could ring for food and drink, laundry and sundry services.她可以打电话点餐，叫人来取要洗的衣服以及叫其他各种服务。stirring adj.令人激情澎湃的；激动人心的英义causing strong feelings; exciting 例句I doubt if his deeds would match his stirring words.我怀疑他的行动是否会与他那激动人心的话是一致的.conspicuous adj.易见的；明显的；惹人注意的英义easy to see or notice; likely to attract attention 例句The advertisements were all posted in a conspicuous place.广告都贴在了显眼的地方。pseudonym n.假名；化名；笔名英义a name used by sb., especially a writer, instead of their real name 例句She writes under a pseudonym.她用笔名写作。proprietor n.业主；所有人英义(formal) the owner of a business, a hotel, etc. 例句He was the sole proprietor with total management control.他是唯一业主，掌握全部管理权。dissolve v.解除（婚姻关系）；终止（商业协议）；解散（议会）英义to officially end a marriage, business agreement or parliament例句The election was announced and parliament was dissolved.宣布选举后，议会解散了。🔥重点表达做编辑工作 go about editorial work校对 do proofreading认认真真一边干一边学 train on the job earnestly…介绍的 on the recommendation of去…游历 be on leave touring…管杂务的 in charge of sundry matters不能让人放心 don’t have enough confidence in时代的激荡 the stirring times不相识 be not acquainted with发家 become rich初具规模 begin to take shape知识分子汇集的地方 a galaxy of talent大批技术力量 a huge army of technical personnel有趣的是 Interestingly enough,共事 have been colleagues over…健在 be still living and enjoy good health🔥复盘测试做编辑工作校对认认真真一边干一边学…介绍的去…游历管杂务的不能让人放心时代的激荡不相识发家 初具规模知识分子汇集的地方大批技术力量有趣的是共事健在🔥表达对比有关「创办，开办」的不同说法父亲30岁到40岁，领头创办县级国营黄土坡、老虎沟、马匹凹煤矿，曾任总经理…In his 30s, he with others initiated the construction of the state-run coal mines at Huangtupo, Laohugou and Mapiwa of our county, and worked as the general manager.商务创办于1898年，老板是几位印《圣经》发家的工人；When The Commercial Press was established in 1898, its proprietors were some ex-workers who had become rich by printing The Bible.1931年初，开明书店创办《中学生》杂志，过了不久，…Early in 1931, soon after Kaiming Bookstore started its publication of the magazine Middle School Students…他创办的公司联想控股是目前中国资本主义的主要力量。The company he founded, Legend, is now a leading force in Chinese capitalism. 李克强总理已在鼓励人们承担风险，创办企业。Li Keqiang, the prime minister, has been trying to encourage people to take risks and start companies.
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叶圣陶《我和商务印书馆》 
爱是一颗心遇到另一颗心（出处+配图） 
