參考翻譯:
The Compass
China is universally acknowledged as the countrywhere the compass was invented. The compass,originally called Sinan, a south-pointing ladle,appeared during the Warring States Period.Generally, the directions of north, east, west and south are shown on the compass, and so arethe angle markings in degrees. North corresponds to zero degree, and the degrees increaseclockwise. As one of the four great inventions of ancient China, the compass played animportant role in people’s life, especially in maritime undertakings. It also had a significantinfluence on the western world, as thereafter those countries began large-scale overseasadventures.
1.舉世公認的:可譯為universally accepted 或 universallyacknowledged。
2.并且還有刻度:這里是指刻度也標示在上面，所以可以承接上文，用“so+助動詞”的結(jié)構(gòu)來表達。
3.順時針方向:應(yīng)譯為clockwise。其反義詞“逆時針方向”為counterclockwise。
4.中國古代的四大發(fā)明:應(yīng)譯為the four great inventionsof ancient China。四大發(fā)明具體表達為 compass、gunpowder(火藥)、papermaking technology (造紙術(shù))和 movable-type printing(活字印刷)。
5.起到了重要的作用:可譯為play an important role/part。
6.對…產(chǎn)生…影響:可譯為 have a/an...influence/impact on...
