英語六級翻譯練習題：文化差異

同一種動物在東西方不同的文化背景下所表達的含義不盡相同。在西方人眼里，蝙蝠就是一個邪惡、丑陋的吸血鬼(bloodsucker)。但是在我國南方，舊式住 宅的門上常常雕刻著蝙蝠，因為蝙蝠是好運、健康、財富、幸福的象征。西方人認 為孔雀走起路來總是趾高氣揚，目中無人，頭冠(crown)頻頻擺動，還不時開屏炫耀其美麗，這是“驕傲”、“虛榮”的表現(xiàn)。而中國人認為孔雀開屏是喜慶吉祥的象征，所以人們常用孔雀比喻美麗的人或事物。

譯文參考：

The same animal in different culture backgroundsbetween the East and the West respectivelyexpresses different meanings. To the West, bats areevil, ugly bloodsucker; but in southern China, batsare often carved on the doors of the old houses,because they are symbols of fortune, health, wealth and happiness. Westerners generallybelieve that the peacock always walks around with her nose in the air, swinging its crownrepeatedly, and shows off its beautiful tail frequently.These are signs of pride and vanity. Incontrast,Chinese think it symbolizes joy and luck that the peacock spreads its tail. So peopleoften compare the peacock to beautiful persons or things.

六級翻譯技巧點撥：

1.東西方不同的文化背景:可譯為different culture backgrounds between the East and the West。

2.上雕刻著:可譯為被動形式be carved on…

3.走起路來總是趾高氣揚，目中無人:可簡譯為always walks around with her nose in the air。with one's nose in the air即有“目中無人地”意思。

4.孔雀開屏:可譯為 the peacock spreads its tail。

5.用...比喻:可譯為compare…to…