专业八级翻译真题

1998年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文C-E原文:1997年2月24日我们代表团下榻日月潭中信大饭店,送走了最后一批客人,已是次日凌晨3点了。我躺在床上久久不能入睡,披衣走到窗前,往外看去,只见四周峰峦叠翠,湖面波光粼粼。望着台湾这仅有的景色如画的天然湖泊,我想了许多,许多……这次到台湾访问交流,虽然行程匆匆,但是,看了不少地方,访了旧友,交了新知,大家走到一起,谈论的一个重要话题就是中华民族在21世纪的强盛。虽然祖国大陆、台湾的青年生活在不同的社会环境中,有着各自不同的生活经历,但大家的内心都深深铭刻着中华文化优秀传统的印记,都拥有着振兴中华民族的共同理想。在世纪之交的伟大时代,我们的祖国正在走向繁荣富强,海峡两岸人民也将加强交流,共同推进祖国统一大业的早日完成。世纪之交的宝贵机遇和巨大挑战将青年推到了历史前台。跨世纪青年一代应该用什么样的姿态迎接充满希望的新世纪,这是我们必须回答的问题。日月潭水波不兴,仿佛与我一同在思索……参考译文:ThecurrentvisittoTaiwanforexchange,briefandcursoryasitis,hasenabledustoseemanyplaces,tovisitoldfriendswhilemakingnewacquaintances.Wheneverpeoplegathertogether,animportanttopicofdiscussionhasbeenhowtheChinesenationcanbecomeprosperousandpowerfulinthe21stcentury.AlthoughtheyoungpeopleontheMainlandandinTaiwanliveindifferentsocialcontexts(environments/milieus,withtheirindividuallydifferentexperiencesoflife,intheinnermostrecessesoftheirheartsarewroughtanindeliblemarkbythefinetraditionsoftheChineseculture.TheyallcherishthesameidealtorejuvenatetheChinesenation(TheysharethesameidealtorejuvenatetheChinesenation.Inthisgreatepochattheturnofthecentury,ourmotherlandisdevelopingtowardgreaterprosperityandpowerfulness.PeopleacrosstheTaiwanStraitsareboundtostrengthentheirexchangesandwillmutuallypromotetheearliestpossibleachievementofthegreatcauseofreunificationofthemotherland.Thepreciousopportunitiesandthetremendouschallengesattheturnofthecenturyhavepushedtheyoungpeopletotheforeground(forefrontofthehistoricalarena(stage.Atthistransitionalphasebetweenthetwomillennia,inwhatwaytheyounggenerationshouldembracetheforthcomingnewcenturyrepletewithhopesisaquestiontowhichwehavetoseekananswer.E-C原文:IagreetosomeextentwithmyimaginaryEnglishreader.Americanliteraryhistoriansareperhapspronetoviewtheirownnationalscenetoonarrowly,mistakingprominenceforuniqueness.Theydoover-phrasetheirownliterature,orcertainlyitsminorfigures.AndAmericansdoswingfromaggressiveoverphraseoftheirliteraturetoanequallyunfortunate,imitativedeference.Butthen,theEnglishthemselvesaresomewhatinsularintheirliteraryappraisals.Moreover,infieldswheretheyarenotpre-eminent—e.g.inpaintingandmusic—theytooalternatebetweenboastingofnativeproductsandcopyingthoseoftheContinent.HowmanyEnglishpaintingstrytolookasthoughtheyweredoneinParis;howmanytimeshavewereadinarticlesthattheyreallyrepresentan“Englishtradition”afterall.TospeakofAmericanliterature,then,isnottoassertthatitiscompletelyunlikethatofEurope.Broadlyspeaking,AmericaandEuropehavekeptstep.Atanygivenmomentthetravelercouldfindexamplesinbothofthesamearchitecture,thesamestylesindress,thesamebooksontheshelves.IdeashavecrossedtheAtlanticasfreelyasmenandmerchandise,thoughsometimesmoreslowly.WhenIrefertoAmericanhabit,thoughts,etc.,Iintendsomesortofqualificationtoprecedetheword,forfrequentlythedifferencebetweenAmericaandEurope(especiallyEnglandwillbeoneofdegree,sometimesonlyofasmalldegree.Theamountofdivergenceisasubtleaffair,liabletoperplextheEnglishmanwhenhelooksatAmerica.Heislookingatacountrywhichinimportantsensesgrewoutofhisown,whichinseveralwaysstillresembleshisown—andwhichisyetaforeigncountry.Thereareoddoverlappingsandabruptunfamiliarities;kinshipyieldstoasuddenalienation,aswhenwehailapersonacrossthestreet,onlytodiscoverfromhisblankresponsethatwehavemistakenastrangerforafriend.参考译文:那么,要谈论美国文学,倒并非意欲断言,它与欧洲文学全然大相径庭。广而言之,美国与欧洲一直同步发展,协调一致。在任何一个特定的时刻,旅行者在两地均能目睹同一样式的建筑实例,相同款式的服饰,书架上相同的书籍。在大西洋两岸,思想如同人员与货物往来一样自由交流,尽管有时会略显迟缓。当我提及美国式的习惯、思想等概念时,我意欲在“美国式的”这一词汇之前加上某种限定,因为欧美(尤其是英美之间的差异往往只是程度上的差异而已,并且有时候仅仅只是微乎其微的一点程度差异而已。差异的多寡是件极为微妙的事务,这极容易使一个英国人在审视美国时大惑不解。他所审视的那个国家,从某些重要的意义上来说,诞生于他自己的国家,并在某些方面仍与他自己的国家相差无几——然而,它却实实在在是一个异邦。两者间存在着某些古怪的交替重迭,以及令人甚感突兀的陌生感;亲缘关系已让位于一种突如其来的异化与疏远,这种情景仿佛就像我们隔着马路向另一个人打招呼,结果却从这个人漠无表情的反应中发现,我们原来竟将一个陌生人误认为我们的熟人。1999年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文C-E原文:加拿大的温哥华1986年刚刚度过百岁生日,但城市的发展令世界瞩目。以港立市,以港兴市,是许多港口城市生存发展的道路。经过百年开发建设,有着天然不冻良港的温哥华,成为举世闻名的港口城市,同亚洲、大洋洲、欧洲、拉丁美洲均有定期班轮,年货物吞吐量达到8,000万吨,全市就业人口中有三分之一从事贸易与运输行业。温哥华(Vancouver的辉煌是温哥华人智慧和勤奋的结晶,其中包括多民族的贡献。加拿大地广人稀,国土面积比中国还大,人口却不足3000万。吸收外来移民,是加拿大长期奉行的国策。可以说,加拿大除了印第安人外,无一不是外来移民,不同的只是时间长短而已。温哥华则更是世界上屈指可数的多民族城市。现今180万温哥华居民中,有一半不是在本地出生的,每4个居民中就有一个是亚洲人。而25万华人对温哥华的经济转型起着决定性的作用。他们其中有一半是近5年才来到温哥华地区的,使温哥华成为亚洲以外最大的中国人聚居地。参考译文:Vancouver’sprosperityowestotheintelligenceanddiligenceofthepeoplethere,aswellastothecontributionsmadebyavarietyofotherethnicgroups.Canadaisvastcountrywithasparsepopulation,havingaterritorylargerthanthatofChinabutapopulationoflessthan30million.ThatiswhyCanadahaslongadoptedanationalpolicyofabsorbingimmigrantsfromothercountries.Wemaysaythat,withtheexceptionofthe(aboriginalIndianpeople,Canadiansaremadeupimmigrants,differentfromeachotheronlyinhowlongtheyhavesettleddownthere.Vancouverismosttypicalofthiswhichisamongthefewcitiesintheworldfeaturingmulti-nationalities.Ofthe18millionpeoplelivinginVancouvernowadays,halfwerenotborninVancouverand1/4isfromAsia.Outofthe250thousandChinese-CanadianswhohaveplayedadecisiveroleinVancouver’seconomicgrowth,halfhaveimmigratedtotheregiononly5yearsbefore.AlltheseChinese-CanadianshavemadeVancouvertheregionwiththelargestChinesecommunitiesoutsideChina.E-C原文:Insomesocietiespeoplewantchildrenforwhatmightbecalledfamilialreasons:toextendthefamilylineorthefamilyname,topropitiatetheancestors;toenabletheproperfunctioningofreligiousritualsinvolvingthefamily.Suchreasonsmayseemthininthemodern,secularizedsocietybuttheyhavebeenandarepowerfulindeedinotherplaces.//Inaddition,oneclassoffamilyreasonssharesaborderwiththefollowingcategory,namely,havingchildreninordertomaintainorimproveamarriage:toholdthehusbandoroccupythewife;torepairorrejuvenatethemarriage;toincreasethenumberofchildrenontheassumptionthatfamilyhappinessliesthatway.Thepointisunderlinedbyitsconverse:insomesocietiesthefailuretobearchildren(ormalesisathreattothemarriageandareadycausefordivorce.//Beyondallthatistheprofoundsignificanceofchildrentotheveryinstitutionofthefamilyitself.Tomanypeople,husbandandwifealonedonotseemaproperfamily—theyneedchildrentoenrichthecircle,tovalidateitsfamilycharacter,togathertheredemptiveinfluenceofoffspring.Childrenneedthefamily,butthefamilyseemsalsotoneedchildren,asthesocialinstitutionuniquelyavailable,atleastinprinciple,forsecurity,comfort,assurance,anddirectioninachanging,oftenhostile,world.Tomostpeople,suchahomebase,intheliteralsense,needsmorethanonepersonforsustenanceandingenerationalextension.参考译文:在某些社会中,人们希望拥有孩子是出于所谓的家庭原因:传宗接代,光宗耀祖,讨好祖辈,使那些涉及到家庭的宗教仪式得以正常进行。此类原因在现代世俗化的社会中似显苍白,但它们在其他地方曾一度构成并确实仍在构成强有力的理由。//此外,有一类家庭原因与下列类别不无共通之处,这便是:生儿育女是为了维系或改善婚姻:能拴住丈夫或者使妻子不致于无所事事;修复或重振婚姻;多子多孙,以为家庭幸福惟有此法。这一点更可以由其反面得到昭示:在某些社会中,无法生儿育女(或无法生育男孩对婚姻而言是一种威胁,还可作为离婚的现成借口。//后代对于家庭这一体制本身所具有的深远意义远非如此。对许多人来说,夫妻两人尚不足以构成一个真正意义上的家庭——夫妻需要孩子来丰富其两人小天地,赋予该小天地以真正意义上的家庭性质,并从子孙后代身上获取某种回报。//孩子需要家庭,但家庭似乎也需要孩子。家庭作为一种社会机构,以其特有的方式,至少从原则上说,可在一个变幻莫测、常常是充满敌意的世界中让人从中获取某种安全、慰藉、保障,以及价值取向。2000年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文C-E原文:中国科技馆的诞生来之不易。与国际著名科技馆和其他博物馆相比,它先天有些不足,后天也常缺乏营养,但是它成长的步伐却是坚实而有力的。它在国际上已被公认为后起之秀。世界上第一代博物馆属于自然博物馆,它是通过化石、标本等向人们介绍地球和各种生物的演化历史。第二代属于工业技术博物馆,它所展示的是工业文明带来的各种阶段性结果。这两代博物馆虽然起到了传播科学知识的作用,但是,它们把参观者当成了被动的旁观者。//世界上第三代博物馆是充满全新理念的博物馆。在这里,观众可以自己去动手操作,自己细心体察。这样,他们可以更贴近先进的科学技术,去探索科学技术的奥妙。//中国科技馆正是这样的博物馆!它汲取了国际上一些著名博物馆的长处,设计制作了力学、光学、电学、热学、声学、生物学等展品,展示了科学的原理和先进的科技成果。参考译文:Thefirstgenerationofmuseumsarewhatmightbecallednaturalmuseumswhich,bymeansoffossils,specimensandotherobjects,introducedtopeopletheevolutionaryhistoryoftheEarthandvariouskindsoforganisms.Thesecondgenerationarethoseofindustrialtechnologieswhichpresentedthefruitsachievedbyindustrialcivilizationatdifferentstagesofindustrialization.Despitethefactthatthosetwogenerationsofmuseumshelpedtodisseminate/propagate/spreadscientificknowledge,theyneverthelesstreatedvisitorsmerelyaspassiveviewers.//Thethirdgenerationofmuseumsintheworldarethoserepletewith/fullofwhollynovelconcepts/notions/ideas.Inthosemuseums,visitorsareallowedtooperatetheexhibitswiththeirownhands,toobserveandtoexperiencecarefully.Bygettingclosertotheadvancedscienceandtechnologiesinthisway,peoplecanprobeintotheirsecretmysteries.TheChinaMuseumofScienceandTechnologyispreciselyoneofsuchmuseums.Ithasincorporatedsomeofthemostfascinatingfeaturesofthosemuseumswithinternationalreputation.Havingdesignedandcreatedexhibitsinmechanics,optics,electricalscience,thermology,acoustics,andbiology,thoseexhibitsdemonstratescientificprinciplesandpresentthemostadvancedscientificandtechnologicalachievements.E-C原文Ifpeoplemeananythingatallbytheexpression“untimelydeath”,theymustbelievethatsomedeathsnmonabetterschedulethanothers.Deathinoldageisrarelycalleduntimely—alonglifeisthoughttobeafullone.Butwiththepassingofayoungperson,oneassumesthatthebestyearslayaheadandthemeasureofthatlifewasstilltobetaken.Historydeniesthis,ofcourse.Amongprominentsummerdeaths,onerecallsthoseofMariLarryMonroeandJamesDeans,whoselivesseemedequallybriefandcomplete.WriterscannotbearthefactthatpoetJohnKeatsdiedat26,andonlyhalfplayfullyjudgetheirownlivesasfailureswhentheypassthatyear.Theideathatthelifecutshortisunfulfilledisillogicalbecauselivesaremeasuredbytheimpressionstheyleaveontheworldandbytheirintensityandvirtue.参考译文(1:如果人们藉"英年早逝"这一字眼真的意欲表达什么含义的话,他们必然相信某些人的辞世可以算是寿终正寝,而另一些人则"死不逢时"。死于年迈很少被冠以"死不逢时"之名,因为能度过漫长的一生被认为是甚为圆满的。反之,如果所碰到的是一位年轻人之死,人们会以为这位年轻人风华正茂,前途无可限量,生命的倒计时尚未真正开始。当然,历史否定这一切。在诸多较为著名的"英年早逝"的情形中,我们会忆起玛丽莲.梦露与詹姆斯.迪恩斯之死,其生命的短暂丝毫无损于其生命的完整性。对于约翰.济慈年方26便溘然长逝这一事实,文人墨客们皆痛不欲生,但他们中仅有半数人诙谐地认为,设若他们也死于这一年龄,其一生可视为失败。视英年早逝为不圆满,这一观念有悖于逻辑,因为衡量生命的尺度乃是留给世界的印记,是生命的力度及其美德。参考译文(2:提起英年“早逝”,人们或有所指。人们定会相信有些人死亡的时刻更为适宜。寿终正寝极少称为“早逝”。长寿即意味着生命之完整。但英年早逝常令人感到逝者美好时光尚未到来,一生之评说尚未做出。然而,历史却否认这点,提起杰出的早逝者,人们定会亿起玛丽莲·梦露和詹姆士·迪恩。两人生命短暂,却完美无缺。诗人约翰?济慈26岁与世长辞,作家们对此难以接受。而他们自己过了26岁时却只能半开玩笑地认为今生今世无所作为。生命短暂即未成果这—观念荒谬无理。生命的价值取决于它留给世界的印象、它的贡献及它的美德。2001年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文C-E原文:乔羽的歌大家都熟悉。但他另外两大爱好却鲜为人知,那就是钓鱼和喝酒。晚年的乔羽喜爱垂钓,他说,“有水有鱼的地方大都是有好环境的,好环境便会给人好心情。我认为最好的钓鱼场所不是舒适的、给你准备好饿鱼的垂钓园,而是那极其有吸引力的大自然野外天成的场所。”钓鱼是一项能够陶冶性情的运动,有益于身心健康。乔羽说:“钓鱼可分三个阶段:第一阶段是吃鱼;第二阶段是吃鱼和情趣兼而有之;第三阶段主要是钓趣,面对一池碧水,将忧心烦恼全都抛在一边,使自己的身心得到充分休息。”参考译文:Inhislateryears(Lateinhislife,QiaoYuhasbecomeenamoredoffishing(developedapenchant/specialfondnessforfishing.Heasserts:“Mostlyspeaking,aplacewithwaterandfishmustnecessarilybeblessedwithanicesetting,whichinreturnkeepspeopleingoodmood.Ibelievethattheoptimumfishingplacesarenotthosecommercialfishingcenterswhichprovidethefishermenwithalltheconveniencesandwherefisharekepthungryforreadycapture,butthosenaturally-formedplacesinthewildernesswhichexertaspecialappeal.”Accordingtohim,fishingcanconstituteanactivityconducivetothecultivationofone’stemperamentandtoone’shealth,atoncephysicalandpsychological.QiaoYuclaims:“Fishingcanbedividedintothreestages.Thefirststageconsistsofmerefish-eating;thesecondacombinationoffish-eatingandthepleasure(enjoymentoffishing;thethirdprimarilythepleasureoffishingwhen,confrontedwithapondofclearwater,oneputsasideallhistroublingvexationsandannoyancesandenjoysthetotalrelaxationbothmentallyandphysically.”01VersionC-E:InhisdecliningyearsQiaoYuwasfondofangling.Heoncesaid,“Theplaceswherehavebothwaterandfishesaregenerallyinniceenvironmentthatcanputpeopleingoodmood.Thebestanglingplace,Ithink,isnotthecomfortableanglingparkwherehungryfishesareprepared,buttheappealingnaturalone.”Anglingisanexercisethatcanmouldone’stemperamentandmakehimsoundinbodyandmind,asQiaoYusaid,“Fishingcanbedividedintothreephases:thefirstisforangling,thesecondisforanglingandinterestaswell,andthethirdismainlyforanglinginterest.Whenfacingapoolofopengreenwater,onecanforgettheworriesandnuisancescompletelyandrelaxhimselffully.”E-C原文:PossessionforitsownsakeorincompetitionwiththerestoftheneighborhoodwouldhavebeenThoreau’sideaofthelowlevels.Theactivedisciplineofheighteningone’sperceptionofwhatisenduringinnaturewouldhavebeenhisideaofthehigh.Whathesavedfromthelowwastimeandefforthecouldspendonthehigh.Thoreaucertainlydisapprovedofstarvation,buthewouldputintofeedinghimselfonlyasmucheffortaswouldkeephimfunctioningformoreimportantefforts.//Effortisthegistofit.Thereisnohappinessexceptaswetakeonlife-engagingdifficulties.Shortoftheimpossible,asYeatsputit,thesatisfactionwegetfromalifetimedependsonhowhighwechooseourdifficulties.RobertFrostwasthinkinginsomethinglikethesametermswhenhespokeof“Thepleasureoftakingpains”.Themortalflawintheadvertisedversionofhappinessisinthefactthatitpurportstobeeffortless.//Wedemanddifficultyeveninourgames.Wedemanditbecausewithoutdifficultytherecanbenogame.Agameisawayofmakingsomethinghardforthefunofit.Therulesofthegameareanarbitraryimpositionofdifficulty.Whensomeoneruinsthefun,healwaysdoessobyrefusingtoplaybytherules.Itiseasiertowinatchessifyouarefree,atyourpleasure,tochangethewhollyarbitraryrules,butthefunisinwinningwithintherules.Nodifficulty,nofun.参考译文:梭罗所理解的“低层次”,即为了拥有而去拥有,或与所有的邻居明争暗斗而致拥有。他心目中的“高层次”,则是这样一种积极的人生戒律,即要使自己对自然界永恒之物的感悟臻于完美。对于他从低层次上节省下来的时间和精力,他可将其致力于对高层次的追求。勿庸置疑,梭罗不赞成忍饥挨饿,但他在膳食方面所投入的精力仅果腹而已,只要可确保他能去从事更为重要的事务,他便别无所求。//殚精竭虑,全力以赴,便是其精髓所在。除非我们愿意直面那些需要我们全身心投入的艰难困苦,否则便不会有幸福可言。正如叶芝所言,除却某些不可能的情形,我们于人生中所获取的满足皆取决于我们在多高的境界中选择我们所愿意面对的艰难困苦。当罗伯特?弗罗斯特言及“以苦为乐”时,他内心所思,大体如此。商业广告中所宣扬的那种幸福观,其致命的缺陷就在于这样一个事实,即它宣称,一切幸福皆唾手可得,不费吹灰之力。//即便于游戏之中,我们也需要有艰难困苦。我们之所以需要它,因为设若没有困难,便断无游戏可言。游戏即是这样一种方式,为了享受其中的情趣而人为地使事情变得不那么轻而易举。游戏中的种种规则,便是将困难武断地强加于人。当有人将情趣摧毁殆尽时,他总是因为拒不按游戏规则行事而使然。这犹如下棋;如果你随心所欲、心血来潮地去更改那些全然武断的游戏规则,这样去赢棋当然会更加容易。但下棋的情趣则在于,应在规则的限定范围内赢取胜利。一言以蔽之,没有艰难,断无情趣。2002年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文C-E原文:Theword“winner”and“loser”havemanymeanings.Whenwerefertoapersonasawinner,wedonotmeanonewhomakessomeoneelselose.Tous,awinnerisonewhorespondsauthenticallybybeingcredible,trustworthy,responsive,andgenuine,bothasanindividualandasamemberofasociety.//Winnersdonotdedicatetheirlivestoaconceptofwhattheyimaginetheyshouldbe:rather,theyarethemselvesandassuchdonotusetheirenergyputtingonaperformance,maintainingpretence,andmanipulatingothers.Theyareawarethatthereisadifferencebetweenbeinglovingandactingloving,betweenbeingstupidandactingstupid,betweenbeingknowledgeableandactingknowledgeable.Winnersdonotneedtohidebehindamask.//Winnersarenotafraidtodotheirownthinkingandtousetheirownknowledge.Theycanseparatefactsfromopinionsanddon’tpretendtohavealltheanswers.Theylistentoothers,evaluatewhattheysay,butcometotheirownconclusions.Althoughwinnerscanadoreandrespectotherpeople,theyarenottotallydefined,demolished,bound,orawedbythem.Winnersdonotplay“helpless”,nordotheyplaytheblaminggame.Instead,theyassumeresponsibilityfortheirownlives.参考译文:成功者不会毕生致力于这样一种概念:即想象自己应该成为何种人。相反,他们即他们自己。因此,他们不会费神去装腔作势,故作姿态,摆布他人。他们明白:爱与装爱,傻与装傻,知与装知、真正博学与假装博学之间是有区别的。成功者无须躲在面具后面。//成功者敢于独立思考,敢于运用自己的知识。他们能够把事实从纷繁的意见中剥离出来,而又不会假装无所不知。他们倾听他人的意见,品评他人的言论,却能得出自己的结论。虽然胜利者也钦佩他人,尊敬他人,但是,他们不会完全被他人所规定、所摧垮、所束缚,所吓倒。//成功者不会假装无助,也不会怨天尤人,相反,他们承担起自己生命的责任。E-C原文:大自然对人的恩赐,无论贫富,一律平等。所以人们对于大自然,全都一直并深深地依赖着。尤其在乡间,上千年来人们一直以不变的方式生活着。种植庄稼和葡萄,酿酒和饮酒,喂牛和挤奶,除草和栽花;在周末去教堂祈祷和做礼拜,在节日到广场拉琴、跳舞和唱歌;往日的田园依旧是今日的温馨家园。这样,每个地方都有自己的传说,风俗也就衍传了下来。参考译文(1:Thebountyofnatureisequaltoeveryone,richorpoor,andthereforeallmenarestronglyattachedtoher.Thisisparticularlytrueintheruralareas,wherepeoplehavekeptthesamelifestyleforamillenniumorso.Theyplantcropsandgrapevines,brewwinetodrink,feedcowstomilk,andweedgardenstogrowflowers.Theygotochurchatweekends,andtheymeetinthesquareonholidays,playingtheviolin,singinganddancing.Theage-oldlandremainsthesameastheirfamilyhearth.Eachplaceboastsitsfolkloreandtherebysocialcustomsgodown.2003年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文E-C原文:Inhisclassicnovel,“ThePioneers”,James,FeminoreCooperhashishero,alanddeveloper,takehiscousinonatourofthecityheisbuilding.Hedescribesthebroadstreets,rowsofhouses,ateemingmetropolis.Buthiscousinlooksaroundbewildered.Allsheseesisaforest,“Wherearethebeautiesandimprovementswhichyouweretoshowme?”sheasks.He’sastonishedshecan’tseethem.“Where!Whyeverywhere,”hereplies.Forthoughtheyarenotyetbuiltonearth,hehasbuilttheminhismind,andtheyareasconcretetohimasiftheywerealreadyconstructedandfinished.//CooperwasillustratingadistinctlyAmericantrait,future-mindedness:theabilitytoseethepresentfromthevantagepointofthefuture;thefreedomtofeelunencumberedbythepastandmoreemotionallyattachedtothingstocome.AsAlbertEinsteinoncesaid,“LifefortheAmericanisalwaysbecoming,neverbeing.”参考译文:詹姆斯·费尼莫尔·库柏在其经典小说《拓荒者》中,记述了主人公——一位土地开发商——带着表妹游览一座他将要建造的城市的情景。他向表妹描绘了宽阔的街道,排排的房屋,俨然一座熙来攘往的大都市。//然而,表妹环顾四周,却一脸迷茫,她所看到的只是一片森林。于是她问:“你要给我看的美景和改观在哪里啊?”他很惊讶,她居然还不能心领神会。便回答说:“还问哪里?这不到处都是嘛。”因为尽管他还没有把它们真正建成,他却早已在心中构想好了。它们对他来说是如此真实具体仿佛它们早已建成。库柏在这里揭示了一种美国人独有的特征,即前瞻性:他们能够站在未来的高度来看现在的一切;摆脱过去束缚而更加心系未来。正如埃尔伯特?爱因斯坦曾言:“对美国人来说,生活总是进取,而非守成。”E-C原文:得病以前,我受父母宠爱,在家中横行霸道,一旦隔离,拘禁在花园山坡上一幢小房子里,我顿感打入冷宫,十分郁郁不得志起来。一个春天的傍晚,园中百花怒放,父母在园中设宴,一时宾客云集,笑语四溢。我在山坡的小屋里,悄悄掀起窗帘,窥见园中大千世界,一片繁华,自己的哥姐,堂表弟兄,也穿插其间,个个喜气洋洋。一霎时,一阵被人摒弃,为世所遗的悲愤兜上心头,禁不住痛哭起来。参考译文(1:BeforeIwastakenill,Ihadbeenaspoiledchildofmyparents,gettingthingsmywayinthefamily.Onceisolatedandconfinedtoasmallhouseontheslopeofthegarden,Isuddenlyfoundmyselfindisfavourandmywingsclipped.Onespringevening,withmyriadsofflowersinfullbloominthegarden,myparentsheldagardenpartyinhonourofmanyguests,whosearrivalatoncefilledtheplacewithlaughingchats.Inthesmallhouseontheslope,Iquietlyliftedthecurtain,onlytobemetbyagreatandprosperousworldwithmyelderbrothersandsistersandmycousinsamongtheguests,allinjubilation.Allatonce,seizedbyafitofforlornrage,Icouldnothelpburstingintotears.参考译文(2:BeforeIfellill,Ihadbeenthebullyunderourroofs(inmyfamilyowingtomydotingparents.Feelinglikebeingdeposedintoacoldpalace,IbegantotastethebitternessofdepressionandfrustrationimmediatelyafterIwassegregatedandconfinedinasmallhouseonahillsideinourgarden.Onaspringevening,myparentsgaveabanquetinthegardenwhereaprofusionofflowerswereinfullbloom.Innotime,crowdoftheirguestscollectedandlaughterwasheardalloverthere.I,withoutbeingnoticed,liftedthecurtaininmysmallroom,onlytospythebustleofakaleidoscopicworlddowninthegarden,andmyeldersisters,brothersandcousins,eachfullofthejoysofspring,wereshuttlingamongtheguests/helpingtreat(hosttheguests.Quicklyenough,Iwasthrownintoafistofsorrowfulangeratbeingforgottenanddiscardedbytherestandcouldnothelpcryingmyheartout.2004年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文E-C原文:Formethemostinterestingthingaboutasolitarylife,andminehasbeenthatforthelasttwentyyears,isthatitbecomesincreasinglyrewarding.WhenIcanwakeupandwatchthesunriseovertheocean,asIdomostdays,andknowthatIhaveanentiredayahead,uninterrupted,inwhichtowriteafewpages,takeawalkwithmydog,readandlistentomusic,Iamfloodedwithhappiness.//IamlonelyonlywhenIamovertired,whenIhaveworkedtoolongwithoutabreak,whenforthetimebeingIfeelemptyandneedfillingup.AndIamlonelysometimeswhenIcomebackhomeafteralecturetrip,whenIhaveseenalotofpeopleandtalkedalot,andamfulltothebrimwithexperiencethatneedstobesortedout.//Thenforalittlewhilethehousefeelshugeandempty,andIwonderwheremyselfishiding.Ithastoberecapturedslowlybywateringtheplantsand,perhaps,bylookingagainateachoneasthoughitwereaperson.//Ittakesawhile,asIwatchthesurfblowingupinfountains,butthemomentcomeswhentheworldfallsaway,andtheselfemergesagainfromthedeepunconscious,bringbackallIhaverecentlyexperiencedtobeexploredandslowlyunderstood.参考译文:只有当我疲劳过度的时候,在我长时间工作而没有休息的时候,或是在我感到心头空虚而需要充实的时候,我才感到孤独。有时,当外出讲学后回家,见过许多人,讲了很多话,满脑子的感受,需要梳理的时候,我也会感到孤独。//屋子有一阵子显得空荡荡的,而我不知自我潜藏何处。只有去浇浇花草,或许,然后再注目每一株花草,将之视为活生生的人,我才能渐渐找回失去的自我。找回自我,需要一点时间。我看着浪花迸若喷泉,不过这样的时刻降临了,身边的世界渐次隐遁,自我,再次从潜意识深处浮现,带回了最近的经历,那等待探究和细细品味的经历。C-E原文:在人际关系问题上我们不要太浪漫主义。人是很有趣的,往往在接触一个人时首先看到的都是他或她的优点。这一点颇像是在餐馆里用餐的经验。开始吃头盘或冷碟的时候,印象很好。吃头两个主菜时,也是赞不绝口。愈吃愈趋于冷静,吃完了这顿筵席,缺点就都找出来了。于是转喜为怒,转赞美为责备挑剔,转首肯为摇头。这是因为,第一,开始吃的时候你正处于饥饿状态,而饿了吃糠甜加蜜,饱了吃蜜也不甜。第二,你初到一个餐馆,开始举筷时有新鲜感,新盖的茅房三天香,这也可以叫做“陌生化效应”。参考译文:Weshouldnotbetooromanticininterpersonalrelations.Humanbeingsareinterestinginthattheytendtofirstseegoodinanewacquaintance.Thisislikedininginarestaurant.Youwillbenotonlyfavorablyimpressedwiththefirsttwocourses.However,themoreyouhave,themoresoberyoubecomeuntilthedinnerendsupwithalltheflawsexposed.Consequently,yourjoywouldgivewaytoanger;yourpraisestocriticismorevenfault-finding;andyournoddinginagreementtoshakingthehead.Whataccountsforallthisis,inthefirstplace,youarehungrywhenyoustarttoeat.Asthesayinggoes,“Hungeristhebestsauce”,andviceversa.2005年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文E-C原文:Itissimpleenoughtosaythatsincebookshaveclassesfiction,biography,poetryweshouldseparatethemandtakefromeachwhatitisrightthateachshouldgiveus.Yetfewpeopleaskfrombookswhatbookscangiveus.Mostcommonlywecometobookswithblurredanddividedminds,askingoffictionthatitshallbetrue,ofpoetrythatitshallbefalse,ofbiographythatitshallbeflattering,ofhistorythatitshallenforceourownprejudices.Ifwecouldbanishallsuchpreconceptionswhenweread,thatwouldbeanadmirablebeginning.Donotdictatetoyourauthor;trytobecomehim.Behisfellow-workerandaccomplice.Ifyouhangback,andreserveandcriticizeatfirst,youarepreventingyourselffromgettingthefullestpossiblevaluefromwhatyouread.Butifyouopenyourmindaswidelyaspossible,thensignsandhintsofalmostimperceptiblefineness,fromthetwistandturnofthefirstsentences,willbringyouintothepresenceofahumanbeingunlikeanyother.Steepyourselfinthis,acquaintyourselfwiththis,andsoonyouwillfindthatyourauthorisgivingyou,orattemptingtogiveyou,somethingfarmoredefinite.参考译文:然而,人们对书籍往往求非所予。开卷之时,我们常常思想模糊,思维割裂,苛求小说真实,认定诗歌造作,视传记为美化,期望史书认同一己之见。阅读之时,若能摒弃所有此类成见,那将是一个可喜的开端。不要对作者指指点点,而应尝试设身处地,做作者的同道和“同谋”。若是你一开始便故步自封,先入为主,求全责备,你就不可能最大限度地从所读的书中获益,但是,你若能大大敞开思想,那么,开篇的那几行曲径通幽的文字,那若明若暗的微妙表达和深意将把你带到一个独具特色的灵魂面前。投身其中,知晓此境,不用很久,你就会发现作者正在传递给你的,或试图传递给你的,原来如此显豁。C-E原文:一个人的生命究竟有多大意义,这有什么标准可以衡量吗?提出一个绝对的标准当然很困难;但是,大体上看一个人对待生命的态度是否严肃认真,看他对待工作、生活的态度如何,也就不难对这个人的存在意义做出适当的估计了。古来一切有成就的人,都很严肃地对待自己的生命,当他活着一天,总要尽量多工作、多学习,不肯虚度年华,不让时间白白浪费掉。我国历代的劳动人民以及大政治家、大思想家等等都莫不如此。参考译文:Whatisthesignificanceoflife?Isthereanycriterionforitsmeasurement?Difficultasitistoadvanceanabsoluteone,itwillnotbesotojudgetheverymeaningofone’sexistencegenerallyfromwhetherheisseriousaboutlifeandwhathisattitudesaretowardsworkandlife.Throughouttheages,allpeopleofaccomplishmenttaketheirlivesseriously.Aslongastheyarealive,theywouldratherdevotethemselvestomoreworkandstudythanletasingleminuteslipbyinvain.Andthesameistrueofthecommonlabourersaswellasthegreatstatesmenandthinkersinourcountry.(选自2006年第一期《中国翻译》2006年英语专业八级考试--翻译部分参考译文E-C原文:Ihavenothingtoofferbutblood,toil,tearsandsweat.Wehavebeforeusanordealofthemostgrievouskind.Wehavebeforeusmany,manymonthsofstruggleandsuffering.//Youask,whatisourpolicy?Isayitistowagewarbyland,seaandair.//WarwithallourmightandwithallthestrengthGodhasgivenus,andtowagewaragainstamonstroustyrannyneversurpassedinthedarkandlamentablecatalogueofhumancrime.//Youask,whatisouraim?Icananswerinoneword,Itisvictory.Victoryatallcosts-victoryinspiteofallterrors-victory,howeverlongandhardtheroadmaybe,forwithoutvictorythereisnosurvival.//Letthatberealized.NosurvivalfortheBritishEmpire,nosurvivalforallthattheBritishEmpirehasstoodfor,nosurvivalfortheurge,theimpulseoftheages,thatmankindshallmoveforwardtowardhisgoal.参考译文:我所能奉献的唯有热血、辛劳、眼泪和汗水我们所面临的将是一场极其严酷的考验,将是旷日持久的斗争和苦难。//若问我们的政策是什么?我的回答是:在陆上、海上、空中作战。尽我们的全力,尽上帝赋予我们的全部力量去作战,对人类黑暗、可悲的罪恶史上空前凶残的暴政作战。//若问我们的目标是什么?我可以用一个词来回答,那就是胜利。不惜一切代价,去夺取胜利——不惧一切恐怖,去夺取胜利——不论前路如何漫长、如何艰苦,去夺取胜利。因为没有胜利就不能生存。//我们务必认识到,没有胜利就不复有大英帝国,没有胜利就不复有大英帝国所象征的一切,没有胜利就不复有多少世纪以来的强烈要求和冲动:人类应当向自己的目标迈进C-E原文:中国民族自古以来从不把人看作高于一切,在哲学文艺方面的表现都反映出人在自然界中与万物占有比例较为恰当的地位,而非绝对统治万物的主宰。因此我们的苦闷基本上比西方人为少为小:因为苦闷的强弱原是随欲望与野心的大小而转移的。农业社会的人比工业社会的人享受差得多,因此欲望也小的多。何况中国古代素来以不怠于物不为物役为最主要的人生哲学。参考译文:Chinesepeoplehasneverthoughtofhumanbeingasthehighestcreatureamongeverythingsinceancienttimes,whosereflectiontakesaquiteappropriateproportionwithallothersinournaturalworldinbothaspectsofphilosophyandarts,butnotasanabsolutedominantruler.Therefore,ourbitternessanddepressionarebasicallylessthanthoseofwesterners,becausetheintensityofwhichisgrowingwiththeexpansionofone'sdesireandambition.Peopleintheagriculturesocietyenjoyedfarlessthanpeopleintheindustrysociety,thustheirwantsarefarlesseither.Besides,ancientChinesealwaysregard"notconfinedbym