据说《茉莉花》(Jasmine Flower)是流传到海外的第一首中国民歌。许多国外学者在研究中国音乐史时都提到了《茉莉花》,不少外国人学唱中文歌时首选这首歌。2004年雅典奥运会(Athens Olympics)闭幕式上, 一位中国小姑娘唱起《茉莉花》,给所有观众留下了深刻的印象。2008年北京奥运会,《茉莉花》被选为颁奖典礼 (awarding ceremony)的音乐。这首歌带给我们美好艺术享受的同时也带给我们骄傲。
1.第1句“据说《茉莉花》是……第一首中国民歌”可译为It issaid that Jasmine flower is the first...,但不如译文说的Jasmine Flower is said to be the first...来得简单。定语“流传到海外的”较长,故将其处理成后置定语,用表被动的过去分词短语introduced to foreign countries来表达。
2.第2句中的“在研究中国音乐史时”为时间状语,处理成从句,英译时需增译出从句主语they,表达为whenthey study the history of Chinese music,置于主句之后。“不少外国人学唱中文歌时首选这首歌”可逐字对译为 many foreigners who would like to learn to sing Chinese songs would first choose thissong,但译文繁冗拗口。根据“汉语多用动词,英语多用名词”的表达差异,考虑将“首选这首歌”译为the firstchoice,用结构 it is the first choice for sb.译出。
3.第3句中的“给所有现众留下了深刻的印象”可用并列结构and greatly impressed...,但不如将其处理成非限制性定语从句好,译作which greatly impressed all the audiences更能体现原文的逻辑关系。
4.最后一句“这首歌带给我们……的同时也…”可套用句型sth brings sb. both... and...,故译为This songbrings us both great artistic enjoyment and pride。
参考译文:
Jasmine Flower is said to be the first Chinese folksong introduced to foreign countries. A lot ofscholars abroad have mentioned Jasmine Flowerwhen they study the history of Chinese music. It isthe first choice for many foreigners who would like tolearn to sing Chinese songs. In closing ceremony ofthe 2004 Athens Olympics, a Chinese girl sang this song, which greatly impressed all theaudiences. In 2008 Beijing Olympics, it was chosen as the music played in awarding ceremony.This song brings us both great artistic enjoyment and pride.
(责任编辑:田学江)