中國文學(xué)英譯絮談

沙楓

《史記》的簡練譯文

楊憲益夫婦翻譯小說（如《阿Q正傳》），翻譯詩詞（如《離騷》），翻譯戲劇（如《打漁殺家》），也翻譯史學(xué)著作（如《史記》）。

他們翻譯了《史記》三十一篇。現(xiàn)介紹一篇《孫子吳起列傳》如下。原文是這樣開頭的：

孫子武者，齊人也。以兵法見于吳王闔廬。闔廬曰：“子之十三篇，吾盡觀之矣，可以小試?yán)毡?？”對曰：“可?！标H廬曰：“可試以婦人乎？”曰：“可?！?/p>

譯文如下：

Sun Wu, a native of Chi, gained an audience with King Ho-lu of Wu on the strength of his military theory.
"I have read all thirteen chapters of your book," said the King. "Will you train a few troops as an experiment?"
"Very well," replied Sun Wu.
"Will you try with women?"
"If you wish."

原文是簡練的，譯文也簡練。

現(xiàn)將《孫子兵法》譯者英人 Griffith 的譯文列后，以便作一比較。

Sun Tzu was a native of Chi who by means of his book on the art of war secured an audience with Ho-lu, King of Wu.
Ho-lu said, "I have read your thirty chapters, Sir, in their entirety. Can you conduct a minor experiment in control of the movement of troops?"
Sun Tzu replied, "I can."
Ho-lu asked, "Can you conduct this test using women?"
Sun Tzu replied, "Yes."

可以一提的是，英人 Griffith 所用的三個(gè)“Can”字，是中國人慣用的直譯。而楊憲益夫婦所用的“Will”，“Very Well”，“If you wish”等語，則是英人所慣用的。

現(xiàn)再舉《孫子吳起列傳》的今譯文于后，（編者省略其后內(nèi)容）???????

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