旅游資料漢英翻譯淺談
摘 要]中英文的差異是不言而喻的。中文旅游資料在寫作之初沒(méi)有、也不必考慮以后要翻譯成英語(yǔ)的問(wèn)題。鑒于旅游資料的翻譯不同于文學(xué)作品,文獻(xiàn)資料等的翻譯,動(dòng)筆之前首先要了解英文相關(guān)資料的寫作模式;其次要明確翻譯的目的,即在有限的篇幅內(nèi)向游客介紹具體的、實(shí)用的信息;最后還要明確譯文的服務(wù)對(duì)象———以度假休閑為目的的、對(duì)中國(guó)知之甚少或一無(wú)所知的普通游客。只有這樣,才能將原文的主要內(nèi)容以讀者喜聞樂(lè)見(jiàn)的形式呈現(xiàn)于讀者面前。
[關(guān)鍵詞]旅游資料;翻譯方法
我國(guó)悠久的歷史、燦爛的文化正以其獨(dú)特的魅力吸引著越來(lái)越多的外國(guó)人到中國(guó)來(lái)旅游。讓外國(guó)人在有限的時(shí)間內(nèi)盡可能多地了解中國(guó)文化,除了導(dǎo)游員的介紹,我們也不能忽視相關(guān)旅游資料的作用。旅游資料的種類很多,有圖書、宣傳畫冊(cè)、導(dǎo)游圖、電視電影記錄片和明信片等,它所涉及的內(nèi)容五花八門,包羅萬(wàn)象。目前的現(xiàn)實(shí)是英文版的旅游資料大都譯自漢語(yǔ),而翻譯過(guò)程中存在著一些諸如原則、方法等問(wèn)題。本文重點(diǎn)討論的是:以國(guó)外普通旅游者為對(duì)象,以介紹中國(guó)旅游資源(旅游景點(diǎn)、旅游城市及旅游活動(dòng)) 為主的旅行指南及對(duì)外宣傳材料的漢譯英問(wèn)題。
Abstract : It is self2evident that Chinese and English are completelydifferent. When composing tourism2related materials , the authors ofthe Chinese version do not , and needn’t consider their beingtranslated into English. As the translation of tourism2relatedmaterials differs from the translation of literary works or documents.
The translators should first be aware of style of such materials whentranslating these materials ; secondly , they should know theirpurpose —to introduce the specific and useful information to commontourists in a limited space ; finally , they should know their readers—the tourists who come to China on holiday , and who know little or alittle about China. Only in this way will the English version be wellreceived.
Key words :tourism2related material ;translation
一、景點(diǎn)名稱的翻譯
景點(diǎn)名稱的翻譯看似簡(jiǎn)單,但要譯好譯準(zhǔn),還需要譯者對(duì)其有透徹的了解。一般的做法無(wú)非是音譯、音譯加意譯和意譯。景點(diǎn)名稱是采取音譯還是意譯, 要視情況而定,不可一概而論。例如,蘇州著名的景點(diǎn)寒山寺,就不能譯成Cold Hill Temple ,因其是取自一古代詩(shī)僧寒山之名, 故只能將其譯成Hanshan Temple ; 又如: 拙政園( Garden of HumbleAdministrator) 是明嘉靖年間御史王獻(xiàn)臣辭職回鄉(xiāng)后在元大宏寺遺址所建造的別墅,并借用晉代潘岳《閑居賦》中“拙者之為政也”一句為園名。如果采用音譯的方法,不僅這其中的歷史人物、典故將不為讀者所知,其園名及游園的雅趣也無(wú)從體會(huì)了。
再比如,同樣是廟宇的潭柘寺、塔爾寺、鳳凰寺、櫳翠庵和包公寺,在翻譯時(shí)譯者不僅要觀其名,還要知其實(shí),才能選擇恰當(dāng)?shù)脑~匯。潭柘寺是佛教寺廟,
譯成The Temple of Pool and Oak ;櫳翠庵是尼姑修行之地,譯成Green Lattice Nunnery ;塔爾寺是藏傳佛教———即喇嘛教的寺院,譯成Taer Lamasery ;鳳凰寺是一清真教寺院,故譯成Fenghuang Mosque ;而包公寺是為紀(jì)念包拯所建的寺廟,所以譯成The MemorialTemple of Bao Zheng。如果一概音譯加temple 的話,
讀者就無(wú)法對(duì)中國(guó)的宗教有更多的了解,使他們的中國(guó)之旅的收獲大打折扣。還有“大觀園”里的“稻香村”,名為“村”,實(shí)際不過(guò)一清樸農(nóng)舍,所以要譯成:Paddy Sweet Cottage.
二、旅游資料的翻譯
(一) 明確譯文的體裁,了解英文同類材料的寫作模式旅行指南、城市及旅游活動(dòng)的對(duì)外宣傳材料,其篇幅是有限的。譯文的讀者是那些對(duì)中國(guó)一無(wú)所知或知之甚少的英語(yǔ)國(guó)家的客人。要讓他們?cè)谟邢薜钠鶅?nèi)獲得盡可能多的信息,譯者應(yīng)該了解英語(yǔ)國(guó)家這類材料的寫作模式。這里我們不妨看一看美國(guó)密歇根州的MACKINAC 島和ALPENA 市的旅游資料。
MACKINAC島的旅游指南包括不同顏色標(biāo)識(shí)的旅行路線圖和沿線的景點(diǎn)介紹。如從設(shè)在碼頭上的Visitor ’s Center 到重要的景點(diǎn)之一FORTMAXKINAC:
例1.
11FORTMACKINAC , THE VIEW FROM THE TOPWalking , 1P2 to 2 hoursVisitor’s Center to Fort MACKINAC:
In 1779 , during the American Revolution ,
Lieutenant2Governor Patrick Sinclair commanded Britishfur trading activities and the military garrison at the Straitsof MACKINAC. Afraid that American rebels would attackhis mainland fort at present2day MACKINAC City ,
Sinclair saw MACKINAC Island as readily defensible.
Standing near the present2day Visitor’s Center , henotedgeographical characteristics which shaped the pattern ofisland use for two centuries.
Unlike the shore of Fort Michilimackinac , the Islandhad a deep2water harbor for British warships and , muchlater , for excursion and ferry boats. The flat shoreline wasideal for French and English homes and fur traders’warehouses. Today shops and hotels cluster around thecommercial docks. Most of all Sinclair liked the cliffoverlooking the harbor , which gave a commanding view ofthe Straits. Here he built Fort MACKINAC.
Walking up Fort Street to the foot of the Fort rampyou pass the triangular stone monument erected in 1931 bythe Daughters of the American Revolution. It proclaimsthat“MACKINAC is the most place in Michigan. ”On theleft is Trinity Episcopal Church and on the right theMissionary Bark Chapel.
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例2.
ALPENA 是位于密歇根州西北部,瀕臨休倫湖的一個(gè)小城市。該市幽靜、清潔,一年四季皆有美景。它是這樣宣傳自己的:
Long pleasant days of summer draw us out of doorswhere we linger until the last bit of twilight fades. Gentleblue water laps the shore and warm sunshine nudgesswimmers in , while others stroll the sands in search oftreasure or simply lie on the beach and drink in the sun.
Canoeists paddle the river , past lush green woods , cattailsand wildlife.
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Autumn blazes in with a spectacular farewell tosummer in magnificent shades of red , orange and yellow.
The bounty of season calls for celebration. Fromscarecrows and pumpkins to celebrations of pioneer andmaritime history , people find plenty of reasons for revelry.
The countryside beckons with old fashioned hospitality andthe fruits of a bountiful harvest .
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例3.
密歇根州地處五大湖區(qū),近幾年來(lái)每年都要舉辦燈塔節(jié)。下面是一份燈塔節(jié)的廣告宣傳材料:
7th Annual Great Lakeslighthouse FestivalThursday , Friday , Saturday &Sunday2nd weekend in October , Alpena MichiganThursdayTour on your own :
Middle Island Boat toursThunder Bay Island Boat tourVisit one of you favorite Great Lakes LighthousesPlan on Attending :
Children’s ConcertKickoff EventMemorial to Lost SailorsFridayA Day to tour on your own :
You may want to visit some of the following :
Jesse Besser MuseumMiddle Island Museum on WheelsSturgeon Point Lighthouse??
從以上這3 份材料來(lái)看,英文這類旅游資料的寫作特點(diǎn)是:對(duì)景點(diǎn)的介紹側(cè)重指導(dǎo)性和實(shí)用性;對(duì)旅游城市的介紹重點(diǎn)在突出特色;而對(duì)旅游活動(dòng)的介紹重點(diǎn)是讓活動(dòng)時(shí)間、地點(diǎn)、安排一目了然。從語(yǔ)言風(fēng)格上看,通篇沒(méi)有華麗的溢美之辭,用詞直白、簡(jiǎn)練,敘事具體、直截了當(dāng)。
(二) 譯者不是工匠而是設(shè)計(jì)師
譯者不是作者,這是無(wú)法選擇的事實(shí)。但譯者不應(yīng)是簡(jiǎn)單地將一種語(yǔ)言符號(hào)轉(zhuǎn)換成另一種語(yǔ)言符號(hào)的工匠,他(她) 要為讀者著想,即譯文能否為讀者所接受,是否為讀者所喜聞樂(lè)見(jiàn)? 因此,譯者應(yīng)該是一名設(shè)計(jì)師。
漢語(yǔ)中描寫風(fēng)景的詞匯豐富,辭藻華麗,所以中文這類材料中主觀描寫、“虛”夸之詞較多。我國(guó)悠久的歷史、燦爛的文化集中體現(xiàn)在旅游宣傳材料中,
如歷史人物、典故、神話、詩(shī)賦、成語(yǔ)、地名、歷史年代等等。如何翻譯這些材料,恰如其分地表達(dá)、傳遞給外國(guó)旅游者,就不得不考慮翻譯的原則與方法。
所謂翻譯,翻譯家楊絳的理解為: ??把原作換一種文字,照模照樣地表達(dá)。原文說(shuō)什么,譯文就說(shuō)什么;原文怎么說(shuō),譯文也怎么說(shuō)。這是翻譯家一致承認(rèn)的。至于如何貫徹這個(gè)指導(dǎo)思想,卻沒(méi)有現(xiàn)成的規(guī)律;具體問(wèn)題只能個(gè)別解決。
具體到旅游資料的翻譯,如果一味強(qiáng)調(diào)“忠實(shí)”,
譯出的文字會(huì)是什么樣呢? 請(qǐng)看:南方某市舉辦的龍舟會(huì)的宣傳材料:“中華大地,江河縱橫; 華夏文化,源遠(yuǎn)流長(zhǎng)??輕快的龍舟如銀河流星,瑰麗的彩船似海市蜃樓,兩岸那金碧輝煌的彩樓連成一片水晶宮,是仙境? 是夢(mèng)境? 仰視彩鴿割飛,低眸漂燈留霓,焰火怒放,火樹銀花,燈舞回旋,千姿百態(tài),氣墊船騰起一江春潮,射擊手點(diǎn)破滿天彩球??”
譯文:The divine land of China has its rivers flowingacross ; the brilliant culture of China has its roots tracingback long ?
The light dragon2boats appear on the river as thoughthe stars twinkle in the Milky Way. The richly decoratedpleasure boats look like a scene of mirage. The splendentawnings in green and gold chain into a palace of crystal .
Is this a fairy land or a mere dream ?Looking above , youcan see the beautiful doves flying about . Looking below ,
you can see the sailing lamps glittering. Cracking are thefireworks , which present you a picture of fiery trees andsilver flowers. Circling are the lantern2dancers , whopresent you a variation of exquisite manner. Over therethe motor2boats are plowing the water , thus a tide stirsup. Over there , the marksmen are shooting to theirtargets ; thus colorful beads whirl around ?
譯者可謂“忠實(shí)”,但在native English speaker 的眼中卻是full of hyperbole (充滿了極度夸張) ,不知所云。賽龍舟是中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)的節(jié)日活動(dòng),外國(guó)游客感興趣的是其由來(lái)、內(nèi)涵、習(xí)俗等具體的信息,而非這些主觀、空洞的辭藻的堆砌。
又如某市的畫冊(cè)上有這樣一段文字:市內(nèi)外有名勝古跡300 多處,市中心有趙武靈王操演兵馬和觀賞歌舞的武靈叢臺(tái),市郊有國(guó)家重點(diǎn)文物保護(hù)單位———趙王城遺址,城北有明代所建“蓬萊仙境”般的黃粱夢(mèng)呂仙祠,市西南有可與龍門、敦煌媲美始鑿于北齊的響堂山石窟;又是典故之城??黃粱美夢(mèng)、毛遂自薦、負(fù)荊請(qǐng)罪、完璧歸趙等眾多成語(yǔ)典故,膾炙人口,給人啟迪??
譯文:There are over 300 scenic spots and historicalsites inside and outside the city. In the civic center standsthe Wuling Congtai terrace , where the King Wqulingdrilled warriors and enjoyed singing and dancingperformances ; in the outskirts remains the ruined city ofthe State of Zhao , the monument specially protected bythe state ; in the north lies the fairy2land like GoldenMillet Dream Temple built in he Song Dynasty ; in thesouthwest lies the Xiang Tang Caves Temple built in theBei Qi period , which is thought to be as famous asLongman and Dunhuang. Being a town of allusions , suchas “Golden Millet Dream ( Pipe Dream) ”, Mao SuiRecommending Himself (Volunteering one’s services) ”,
“Bearing the Rod for Punishment”, Returning the JadeIntact to Zhao”, etc. , which are widely loved and quotedby people. 對(duì)于普通的外國(guó)游客,這樣一段充滿了陌生的中國(guó)地名、人名、朝代名、典故和成語(yǔ)的文字,哪里還談得上喜聞樂(lè)見(jiàn)!
所以這里還要重提前面所說(shuō)的:譯者要為讀者著想,要了解英文的表達(dá)習(xí)慣,要使譯文有可讀性,
要為一般的外國(guó)游客所接受。筆者認(rèn)為,翻譯這類材料,譯者應(yīng)該對(duì)譯文加以設(shè)計(jì),對(duì)原文做大手術(shù),
去掉主觀描寫,突出譯文的指導(dǎo)性和實(shí)用性。對(duì)于那些令譯文讀者費(fèi)解的內(nèi)容或刪除、或增加解釋性翻譯、或改寫。
我們?cè)倏匆豢磳?duì)原文做過(guò)“手術(shù)”的譯文。在“成都武侯祠”折疊式導(dǎo)游圖里,有這樣一個(gè)句子:劉備章武三年病死于白帝城永安宮,五月運(yùn)回成都,八月葬于惠陵。這句話在中國(guó)人看來(lái)簡(jiǎn)單,如果直譯過(guò)去要外國(guó)人讀懂也并非易事。“章武三年”外國(guó)人讀不懂;“白帝城永安宮”外國(guó)人不知道在什么地方,
并且劉備永安宮托孤一事一兩句話也說(shuō)不清楚;“五月”, “八月”是農(nóng)歷,不是公歷,農(nóng)歷外國(guó)人讀不懂;
“惠陵”就在武侯祠內(nèi)。要是在其他讀物里可以用譯者注的辦法來(lái)講清楚這些中國(guó)歷史知識(shí),而武侯祠導(dǎo)游圖,文字不足一千,類似這樣的歷史知識(shí)還很多,不可能加上比正文還長(zhǎng)的譯者注。因此,只能在不改變?cè)髟獾脑瓌t下,改變說(shuō)法,譯成:Liu Beidied of illness in 223 at present2day Fengjie County ,
Sichuan Province , and was buried here in the same year.
這里有一篇介紹上海桂花節(jié)的文字:“滿樹金花、芳香四溢的金桂;花白如雪、香氣撲鼻的銀桂;紅里透黃、花多味濃的紫砂桂;花色似銀、季季有花的四季桂;競(jìng)相開放,爭(zhēng)妍媲美。進(jìn)入桂林公園,陣陣桂香撲鼻而來(lái)。”譯者沒(méi)有拘泥于原文,而是打破句子結(jié)構(gòu),根據(jù)內(nèi)容,按照英語(yǔ)的行文習(xí)慣譯成: ThePark of Sweet Osmanthus is noted for its profusion ofosmanthus trees. Flowers from these trees in differentcolors are in full bloom which pervade the whole gardenwith the fragrance of their blossoms. 如果譯者一味追求“忠實(shí)”,且不說(shuō)對(duì)應(yīng)的英文詞匯很難找到,即使勉強(qiáng)譯出恐怕也很難令譯文讀者產(chǎn)生與原文讀者同樣的感受。
又如:路左有一巨石,石上原有蘇東坡手書“云外流春”四個(gè)大字。“云外流春”4 個(gè)字怎么譯? 如果只用音譯,外國(guó)人根本不懂;如果只用意譯,又會(huì)引起誤解,以為蘇東坡寫的是英文。蘇東坡,中國(guó)人無(wú)人不知,外國(guó)人卻未必清楚。譯文采用添加法譯成: To its left is another rock formerly engraved with fourbig Chinese characters Yun Wai Liu Chun (Beyond cloudsflows spring) written by Su Dongpo (1037~1101) , themost versatile poet of the Northern Song Dynasty (960~1127) . 對(duì)“云外流春”采用音譯加意譯,較好地傳達(dá)了原文的意思;為“蘇東坡”加上生卒年代和他在北宋文學(xué)史上的地位,表達(dá)了原文要表達(dá)的意圖:“云外流春”4 個(gè)字具有較高的文物價(jià)值。
外文出版發(fā)行事業(yè)局曾在1964 年制定過(guò)一個(gè)工作條例(試行草案) ,第六章是關(guān)于外文書刊的翻譯工作。其中對(duì)翻譯標(biāo)準(zhǔn)作了詳細(xì)、具體的闡述:
“(1) 譯文必須忠實(shí)于原文。這是指忠實(shí)于原文的意思和風(fēng)格,也就是把中文的內(nèi)容用外文正確地表達(dá)出來(lái)??”
“各種不同內(nèi)容的文章,各有各的體裁和專門術(shù)語(yǔ)??”
“(2) 譯文必須是流暢的外文。譯文必須合乎所譯外文的語(yǔ)法習(xí)慣,讓使用這種民族語(yǔ)言的讀者正確了解原意,如果不尊重外文的語(yǔ)法習(xí)慣,把中文的某些特殊的語(yǔ)法結(jié)構(gòu)硬搬到譯文中去,讀者就會(huì)看不懂??”
“語(yǔ)言文字是表達(dá)思想的手段。思想是第一位,
手段是為思想服務(wù)的。究竟在譯文中應(yīng)該采取哪種形式才能最好地表達(dá)原意,要由譯者根據(jù)正確表達(dá)原意的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)來(lái)選擇。有時(shí)譯文可以在形式上與原文比較接近,有時(shí)也可以距離較遠(yuǎn)。判斷譯文是否忠實(shí),必須根據(jù)外文的習(xí)慣,聯(lián)系上下文,從整體上去看它是否準(zhǔn)確地表達(dá)了原作的內(nèi)容和風(fēng)格,而不能單從形式上去看,一字一句地去比較。”
“片面強(qiáng)調(diào)譯文必須忠實(shí)于原文,忽視譯文必須是流暢的外文,不管中外文的差別,只追求形似,把中文特有的語(yǔ)法和表達(dá)法硬搬到外文中去,就會(huì)犯字對(duì)字、句對(duì)句死譯的毛病,使譯文生硬難懂,甚至違反原意;另一方面,片面強(qiáng)調(diào)譯文必須是流暢的外文,忽視譯文必須忠實(shí)于原文,就會(huì)產(chǎn)生損害原意的所謂‘寧順而不信’的毛病。??”
旅行指南、城市及旅游活動(dòng)宣傳材料的翻譯不同于文獻(xiàn)、科技資料、文學(xué)作品的翻譯,由于篇幅有限,且譯文讀者只是來(lái)華旅游的普通游客而非對(duì)中國(guó)有一定了解的特殊人群,在翻譯這些材料時(shí),要充分考慮到讀者的特點(diǎn),中西方文化的差異,在不損原意的原則下,對(duì)原文進(jìn)行增、刪、改等“手術(shù)”,使譯文具有實(shí)用性、指導(dǎo)性,能夠讓外國(guó)游客看懂,為他們所接受,從而真正達(dá)到對(duì)外宣傳、促進(jìn)旅游業(yè)發(fā)展的目的。
[參 考 文 獻(xiàn)]
[1 ] 中譯英技巧文集[M] . 北京:中國(guó)對(duì)外翻譯出版公司, 19921[2 ] 楊絳. 雜憶與雜寫[M] . 北京:生活·讀書·新知三聯(lián)書店,19941[3 ] 英漢詞語(yǔ)匯編———娛樂(lè)分冊(cè)[M] . 沈陽(yáng):遼海出版社,19991Translation of Tourism2related Material—from Chinese to English