四六级中国文化翻译

翻译练习

1．

春节是是中国的农历新年。在中国的传统节日中，这是一个最重要、最热闹的节日。中国人过春节有很多传统习俗。除夕之夜，是家人团聚的时候。一家人围坐在一起，吃一顿丰盛的年夜饭(New Year’s Eve dinner)，说说笑笑，直到天亮，这叫守岁（staying up to see the year out）。除夕零点的钟声一响，人们还要吃饺子。从初一开始，人们要走亲戚、看朋友，互相拜年（greet each other）。拜年，是春节的重要习俗。放爆竹（set off firecrackers）是春节期间孩子们最喜欢的活动。传说燃放爆竹可以驱妖除魔（drive off evil spirits）。

Spring Festival is the New Year in Chinese lunar calendar. Among the traditional Chinese festivals, this is the most important and the most bustling festival. Chinese have many traditional customs r elating to the Spring Festival. New Year’s Eve is the time for a happy reunion of all the family members, when they sit around the table to have a bumper New Year’s Eve dinner, talking and laughing, until daybreak, which is called “staying up to see the year out”. When the bell tolls midnight on New Year’s Eve, people eat dumplings. From the first day of the lunar year, people visit relatives and friends, to greet each other, which is an important custom for the Spring Festival. Setting off firecrackers is the favorite activity of children in the Spring Festival, which could drive off evil spirits according to legend.

2．

农历八月十五（the 15th day of the eighth lunar month），是中国的传统节日中秋节（Mid-Autumn Festival）。这天晚上，天上的月亮又圆又亮。人们把圆月看作团圆美满的象征，所以中秋节又被称为“团圆节”( Festival for Reunion)。按照传统习惯，中国人要一边赏月(admire the moon) 一边品尝月饼。因为月饼是圆的，象征着团圆，所以有的地方叫它“团圆饼”。秋天，人们一年的劳动有了收获。中秋节

的晚上，全家人坐在一起赏月、吃月饼，心里充满了丰收(bumper harvest) 的喜悦和团聚的欢乐。这时，远离家乡的人们也会仰望明月，思念故乡和亲人。

The 15th day of the eighth lunar month is Chinese traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. On the night of the day, the moon seems full and particularly bright. Since people consider the full moon as the symbol of reunion and completeness, the festival is also called the Festival for Reunion. On that day, the Chinese have the custom of admiring the moon and eating moon cakes. As the moon cake is round, symbolizing reunion, it is sometimes called “reunion cake”. In autumn, people reap the harvests of their year’s labor. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole family filled with happiness for the bumper harvest and a family reunion will sit together to admire the moon and eat moon cakes. At that time, people far away from hometown will also look up at (to) the moon and miss their home town and family.

3．

英语中的“china”一词有两个意义，一个是中国，一个是瓷（porcelain）。西方人很早就把中国与瓷器联系在一起，这是因为瓷器是中国人发明的。瓷器是从陶器(pottery) 发展来的，如果从生产原始瓷器的商代（Shang Dynasty）算起，中国的瓷器大约有三千多年的历史了。江西景德镇被称为中国的“瓷都”(the Capital of Porcelain）。中国瓷器不仅是精美的日用品，也是珍贵的艺术品。自汉唐（Han and Tang dynasties）以来，中国瓷器就大量销往国外，中国的制瓷技术也逐渐传遍世界各地。

“China”in English has two meanings: China as a country and china as porcelain. Westerners have linked the country of China with porcelain since a long time ago, because the technique of manufacturing porcelain was originally invented in China. Porcelain was developed on the basis of pottery. If calculated from the appearance of the primitive porcelain in the Shang

Dynasty, it has a history of about 3000 years. Jingdezhen, a city in Jiangxi Province was known as the Capital of Porcelain. Chinese porcelain wares are not only fine daily necessities, but also precious arts and crafts. From the Han and T ang dynasties, Chinese porcelain wares and their manufacturing techniques gradually spread all over the world.

4．

中国的传统节庆膳食（holiday meals）除了在数量和质量上与平时有所不同之外，一些历史悠久、具有象征意义的食物也是节日必不可缺的。例如，我国的端午节（Dragon Boat Festival）是纪念古代诗人屈原的日子。那一天，人们通常要赛龙舟（hold dragon boat races）、吃粽子。中秋节是观赏满月的日子。圆圆的月亮象征着圆满，象征着家庭团聚。因此，中秋节的特制食品是一种圆形的饼。春节是中国的农历新年，除了常见的海鲜和肉类之外，人们还要按各自的地方习俗烹制传统菜肴，如饺子和年糕。

Chinese traditional holiday meals are different from everyday meals in terms of quantity and quality. In addition, some foods with a long history and symbolic significance are indispensable on these occasions. For example, on the Dragon Boat Festival, a day in memory of the ancient poet Qu Yuan, people will hold dragon boat races and eat Zongzi. The Mid-autumn Festival is an occasion for enjoying the full moon. The round moon is a symbol for completeness and family reunion. The special food of the day is the Yuebing, a round cake. The Spring Festival is the Chinese lunar New Year. In addition to the popular seafood, poultry and meat, people will prepare traditional food, for example, Jiaozi and Niangao.

5．

中国茶历史悠久，是中国文化的一部分。中国茶种类很多，深受外国友人的喜爱。中国人喜欢喝茶，也常常用茶来招待朋友和客人。茶树原产于中国。中国古人发现茶树后，起初是把茶叶作为药用，后来才

当做饮料。中国茶叶按照制作方法分为绿茶、红茶（black tea）、乌龙茶（oolong tea）、花茶（scented tea）、等几大类，各种茶又包括许多品种。喝茶不但可以止渴，还能消除疲劳，帮助消化，预防一些疾病。长期饮茶，对人的身体健康很有益处。

Tea has a long history in China and it is part of Chinese culture. There are a variety of good tea which attract many foreigners. The Chinese people like drinking tea, and often entertain friends and guests with it. China is the homeland of tea. The ancient Chinese first used it for medicinal purposes before developing tea as a drink. As regards the method of making tea, the Chinese tea variety can be classified into green tea, black tea, oolong tea, scented tea, each consisting of many types. Drinking tea can satisfy one’s thirst, dispel fatigue, help digestion and prevent some diseases. The constant drinking of tea is quite beneficial for people’s health.

6．

京剧（Beijing Opera）是中国流行最广、影响最大的一个剧种，有近200年的历史。京剧在形成过程中吸收了许多地方戏的精华，又受到北京方言和风俗习惯的影响。京剧是一种唱(Chang)、念(Nian)、做(Zuo)、打(Da)并重的艺术。京剧演员分生（Sheng）、旦(Dan)、净(Jing)、丑(Chou)四个行当。京剧作为中国民族戏曲的精华，在国内外都有很大的影响。许多外国人专门到中国来学唱京剧。许多京剧表演艺术家也曾到世界各地访问演出，受到各国人民的喜爱。

Beijing Opera is the most popular and influential opera in China with a history of almost 200 years. In the course of its formation, it assimilated the best from many other local operas and was affected by Beijing local dialect and customs. Beijing Opera combines Chang (singing) , Nian (recitation), Zuo (facial and body posturing and acting ) and Da (martial arts). There are four main roles in Beijing Opera: Sheng, Dan, Jing and Chou. Beijing Opera as the national opera, enjoys a

high reputation both inside and outside China. Many foreigners have come to China to learn Beijing Opera and famous actors and actresses have frequently been invited to perform abroad and have been highly appreciated by foreign audiences.

7．

姚明，1980年9月12日生于上海，是中国篮球的标志和骄傲。但姚明的影响力远远不止中国范围。据说他在全世界的球迷应该在15亿以上。姚明用自己的实际行动向美国公众证明了中国人的诸多优点：友好、善良、谦虚、礼貌……。姚明不仅仅是美国华人的骄傲，也是其他族裔（ethnic groups）球迷的偶像（icon）。因为喜爱姚明，很多美国人会对汉语和中国文化产生兴趣。姚明用自己的努力，坚定的信念，为中国人在大洋彼岸的美国争了光。姚明的个人影响已经超出了国界，更重要的是他把中国文化传播到了地球的各个角落。

Yao Ming , born in Shanghai on September 12, 1980 is t he symbol and pride of China’s basketball circle. Yao Ming’s influence has expanded to other countries. It is said that Yao Ming should have more than 1.5 billion fans worldwide. He demonstrated the merits of the Chinese people with his behaviors: friendl iness, kindness, modesty and good manner….Yao Ming is not only the pride of the Chinese in the United States, but also the icon of the basketball fans of other ethnic groups. Many U.S. people like Yao Ming and they thus get interested in Chinese language and Chinese culture. With his efforts and strong mind, Yao Ming won honor for the Chinese people in the United States across the Pacific Ocean. His personal influences have gone beyond the borders. More importantly, he spreads Chinese culture to every corner of the globe. 8．

中国人讲吃，不仅仅是一日三餐，解渴充饥（allay thirst and hunger），它往往蕴含着重要的文化内

涵。如一个小孩生下来，亲友要吃红蛋表示喜庆，“蛋”（“蛋”与汉语“诞”同音）表示着生命的延续（continuation），“吃蛋”寄寓着中国人传宗接代（carry on the family line）的厚望。孩子周岁时要“吃”，十八岁时要“吃”，结婚时要“吃”，到了六十大寿更要庆祝一番。这种“吃”，表面上看是一种生理满足，但实际上，吃的文化已经超越了“吃”本身，获得了更为深刻的社会意义。

For Chinese people, food involves not only three meals a day to allay thirst and hunger, but also has great cultural significance. For example, a newborn baby’s relatives eat red eggs to celebrate the birth. In this tradition, eggs (egg sounds like birth in Chinese) represent the continuation of life, and eating eggs bears a wish to carry on the family line. Having a special meal is a must on a baby’s first birthday, eighteenth birthday, at marriage, and on the sixtieth birthday. It is important to note that while eating can meet physical needs, it is not the main point on these occasions. China’s food culture has far stretched beyond eating itself, with a wider and deeper social connotation.

9．

中华民族历来珍惜和平。中外关系中，我们一贯主张同各国发展友好合作关系。中国现在是、今后相当长时间内仍将是一个发展中国家。中国有13亿人口，这是最大的国情。中国国内生产总值（GDP）已居全球第六位，但人均水平（per capita）却排在第138位。我们还面临失业、贫穷、发展不平衡等问题。中国要赶上发达国家，还需要几代人、十几代人的艰苦努力。

The Chinese nation has always cherished peace. In getting along with other countries, we have consistently adopted the policy of seeking a friendly cooperation with them. China is and will continue, in a quite long time, to be a developing country. China has a population of 1.3 billion, which is the most prominent part in our national conditions. It is no doubt that China

ranks 138th per capita while its GDP totals 6th globally. We are now still facing such problems as unemployment, poverty, and unbalanced regional development. To catch up with the developed countries, several, or even dozens of generations’ efforts are still expected.

10．

元宵节（Lantern Festival）是正月（the first lunar month）的第十五天，这是新年的第一次满月，象征着团圆和圆满。元宵节是春节的一个重要组成部分，也象征着春节长假的正式结束。尽管关于元宵节的来历有很多传说，但可以确定的是，宵节的起源必定跟古代人们使用火来庆祝节日、躲避灾难有关。吃元宵,是元宵节一个特别传统，而元宵节也因这种食物得名。随着时间的流逝，元宵节逐渐演变为今天的形式。

Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. This is the first full moon of the New Year, symbolizing unity and perfection. Lantern Festival is an important part of Spring Festival, and marks the official end of the long holiday. Although there are many legends concerning the origins of Lantern Festival，it is sure that the origins of Lantern Festival are related to ancestors’ use of fire to celebrate festivals and avert disaster. Eating Yuanxiao is one of the special traditions of Lantern Festival，and so Lantern Festival is also called Yuanxiao Festival. Over time, Lantern Festival has gradually evolved into its present form.

11．

紫禁城（the Forbidden City）位于北京城的中心，天安门广场的北边。紫禁城里面有9999间房屋，四周环绕着六米深的护城河(moat) 和十米高的城墙。以前，没有许可，普通人是不能进入紫禁城的, 紫禁城因此而得名。紫禁城始建于1407年，直至1420年才完工。紫禁城在过去长达五个世纪的时间里一直作为皇宫，目前是世界上最大的博物院。1987年，紫禁城被联合国教科文组织(UNESCO) 确认为世

界文化遗产。

The Forbidden City lies in the center of Beijing, the north of Tian’anmen Square. It has 9999 buildings, which are surrounded by a six-meter-deep moat and a ten-meter-high wall. The Forbidden City got its name by forbidding common people to enter unless they were given permission. The building of the palace began in 1407, it was not completed until 1420. The Forbidden City had been the imperial palace for some five centuries, and now is the world’s largest palace museum. In 1987, it was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. 12．

白蛇传是中国古代民间广为流传的一个故事。传说一条白蛇白素贞，因向往人间生活来到人间，嫁给了一个名叫许仙的年轻人。龙舟节期间，白素珍因喝了酒而现了原形，这令许仙惊恐万分昏死过去。借助于药草（herb）的帮助，白素贞使其苏醒过来。随后许仙求救于金山寺和尚法海的帮助，然而,他们的婚姻却遭到了他的反对，并把白素贞埋在了杭州西湖岸边的雷锋塔下。多年之后，白素贞的儿子将其母从塔下解救出来，从此家庭团聚。

Legend of the White Snake is a famous tale spreading out among folks in ancient China. The tale goes that a white snake, BaiSuzhen, comes to the human world as she is longing for human life, and marries a young man named Xu Xian. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Bai Suzhen drinks wine which retakes her original shape. Xu Xian is deeply frightened and dies. But with the help of herb, Bai Suzhen reawakens him to life. Then XuXian seeks the help of a monk named Fahai in Jinshan Temple. However, their marriage is opposed by Fahai who buries Bai Suzhen beneath a pagoda with the name of LeiFe ng by the West Lake in Hangzhou. Many years later, BaiSuzhen’s son is able to free his mother from beneath the pagoda, which enables the family to reunite.

13．

饺子（Chinese Dumpling）是中国的传统食物,在中国的节日里特别受欢迎，尤其是在中国北方。饺子的形状类似中国古代金银锭（ingot），他们象征着财富。传统上, 除夕之夜，家庭成员聚在一起包饺子,人们可能在饺子中藏一个硬币，发现硬币的人在新的一年可能会有好运。在中国新年,饺子是最重要的食物之一。饺子在其它中国节假日也很受欢迎，所以它是中国文化不可缺少的的一部分。

Jiaozi (Chinese Dumpling) is a traditional Chinese food ,which is popular during holidays in China particularly in northern China. The shape of Chinese dumpling is similar to ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, which symbolize wealth. Traditionally, the members of a family get together and make dumplings on the New Year’s Eve. They may hide a coin in one of the dumplings. The person who finds the coin will likely have a good fortune in the new coming year . Chinese dumpling is one of the most important foods in Chinese New Year. Dumpling is also popular in other Chinese holidays or festivals, so it is indispensable part of Chinese culture. 14．

中国是第一个追逐飞天梦想的国家。嫦娥神话(the myth of Chang’E) 表达了我们祖先一直渴望探索外层空间的愿望。许多中国古代的诗人也通过美妙的词语表达了对月亮的偏爱。例如，诗仙(the poetic genius)李白一生就写了超过320首跟月亮有关的诗句。中国的探月工程被命名为“嫦娥”,充分表达了中国人的这种渴望。“嫦娥1号”于2007年10月24日发射到月球，这给世界带来的不是威胁,而是机会，不是战争，而是和平。

China is the first nation to chase the dream of flying to the sky. The myth of Chang’ E implies Chinese ancestors’ desire to explore outer space. Many ancient Chinese p oets also showed their preference for the moon through wonderful words. For example, the poetic genius

LiBai wrote more than 320 poems about the moon in his lifetime. The Chinese exploring moon project is named after Chang’ E, fully express ing the dream of Chinese. Chang’e I was launched to the moon on October 24, 2007,which would bring to the world not a threat, but opportunity, not war but peace.

15．

在除夕年夜饭之后, 几乎所有的孩子都能接到红包，有的来自父母、有的来自成年亲戚和朋友。红包里的钱被称为“压岁钱”（suppress-age-money）, 压岁钱旨在祝福孩子平安健康。有些成年人也给他们的父母发红包, 以祝福他们在新的一年里健康和好运。在当代社会，春节给父母红包或给孩子压岁钱的习俗在中国文化中依然被普遍接受。

After New Year’s Eve dinner, almost all children may receive red envelopes filled with money from their parents, adult relatives and friends. The money in the red envelopes is known as Ya-Sui-Qi an or “suppress-age-money”, which indicates an attempt to keep children safe and well. Some adults also give red envelopes to their parents to wish them health and good fortune in the new year. In modern society, the custom of giving out parents red envelopes or children “suppress-age-money” is also widely accepted in Chinese culture.

16．

作为一名在中美合资企业（Sino-American joint venture）工作了两年的美国经理，我认为中国人和美国人在经营管理中存在着差异。由于我们之间有着不同的文化传统，所以我们比大部分中国同行来得直率。我无法断言我们的经营方式一定在他们的之上。毕竟各有各的优缺点。近年来，越来越多的美国经理人已经认识到中国人那种更具人情味的管理方式（the more humane way）的长处。

As an American manager of a Sino-American joint venture for two years, I have to say that