筷子(chopsticks)是最能反映中國飲食文化特色和傳統(tǒng)的重要象征之一??曜佑兄凭玫臍v史,有關(guān)筷子的記載可以追溯到3000多年以前。無論到何時何地,中國人吃飯都很難離開筷子。此外,筷子還可以作為禮儀(etiquette)、饋贈、寄情、收藏的特殊工藝品和禮品。如今,筷子已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)在全世界很多國家的餐桌上,西方還流行起了“為了您的健康,請您拿起筷子來”的時潮。
句1:筷子(chopsticks)是最能反映中國飲食文化特色和傳統(tǒng)的重要象征之一。
思路點撥:本句的句子主干為“筷子是…之一”,譯為chopsticks are one of…; “最能反映中國飲食文化特色和傳統(tǒng)”可處理成定語從句,來修飾“重要象征”,譯為that can most reflect the characteristics and traditions of Chinese food culture。“象征”譯為symbol.
譯:Chopsticks are one of the important symbols that can most reflect thecharacteristics and traditions of Chinese food culture.
句2:筷子有著悠久的歷史,有關(guān)筷子的記載可以追溯到3000多年以前。
思路點撥:本句可處理成and連接的并列句。句中“悠久的”可用long來表達;“有關(guān)…的記載”譯為therecords of…; “追溯到”譯為be traced back to。
Chopsticks have a long history and the records of them can be traced back to more than 3000 years ago.
句3:無論到何時何地,中國人吃飯都很難離開筷子。
思路點撥:本句中“無論到何時何地”可處理成狀
語;后面部分可用句型“it is +形容詞+for sb. to do sth.”。“離開筷子”即“沒有筷子”,可譯為without chopsticks.
Wherever and whenever, it is hard for Chinese people to have meals without chopsticks.
句4:此外,筷子還可以作為禮儀(etiquette)、饋贈、寄情、收藏的特殊工藝品和禮品。
思路點撥:本句中 “…可以作為…”可處理成…can be used as…的形式。“此外”可以譯為in addition; “饋贈”可譯為gifting;“寄情”即“表達情感”,可譯為expressing feelings。
In addition, chopsticks can also be used as special handicrafts and presents for etiquette,gifting, expressing feelings and collection.
難點注釋:
句1:白色污染指的是塑料污染(plastic pollution)。
“指的是”可譯為refer to.
White pollution refers to plastic pollution.
句2:不可回收的(unrecyclable)塑料午餐盒沿途到處都是。
Unrecyclable plastic lunch boxes are all along roads.
句3:塑料購物袋在空中飛揚。
“在空中飛揚”可譯為dance in the wind.
Plastic shopping bags dance in the wind.
句4:如果我們繼續(xù)使用這些會發(fā)生什么呢?
If we continue using them, what would happen?
句5:有一天,它們會將我們埋葬在白色垃圾堆中。
“會將我們埋葬在白色垃圾堆中”可譯為might bury us in an ocean of white rubbish.
One day they might bury us in an ocean of white rubbish.
句6:那時的地球—我們共同的家園將成為一個垃圾桶(dustbin)。
Then the earth, our common homeland, would be a dustbin.
句7:為防止這個噩夢成為現(xiàn)實,政府間應(yīng)該互相緊密合作并將口頭承諾付諸實際行動。
“為防止這個噩夢成為現(xiàn)實”譯為目的狀語:To prevent this nightmare from coming true; “互相緊
密合作”譯為work closely with each other; “將口頭
承諾付諸實際行動”譯為back up their verbal commitment by actions.
譯:To prevent this nightmare from coming true, governments need to work closely with each other and back up their verbal commitment by actions.