[每日閱讀]英語新譯-中國習慣用語1

字號:

·一桶水搖不響,半桶水響叮當
    有人照字面譯成:The full pot of water makes no sound; the half-empty pot of water is noisy.
    老外聽后,也許會感到困惑。 他們有自己的說法:
    A little knowledge (or learning) can be (or is) dangerous.(一知半解很危險)
    或者說: Still water runs deep.(靜水深不可測)
    也可以說:
    He who knows the most says the least.(懂得越多的人,反而說得越少。)
    至于“大智若愚”,通??梢赃@么說:
    A truly wise person does not show off his (her) ability.(真正聰明的人,是不會顯要自己的能力)
    ·水落石出
    有人照字直譯為:As the water level sinks,the stones are exposed.
    這樣說,恐怕老外還是聽不懂。他們的說法是:
    All secrets may eventually come to light. (所有祕密最后總會曝光。)
    也可以說:
    Eventually, every secret will be disclosed.
    ·這山望到那山高
    有人譯成:The apples on the other side of the wall are the sweetest.(意思是:墻那邊的蘋果最甜)
    當然,如要譯成:
    If you stand on a mountain, you feel the distant mountain seems higher than yours. 老外也勉強能接受。
    而他們的最習慣說法是:
    The grass always looks greener on the other side.(另一邊的草,看來總是綠些。)
    ·烈火煉真金,患難見真情
    有人譯成:Fire is the test of gold;adversity is the test of friendship.
    這句譯文,雖然很好,老外也能了解,但是他們還有另外的說法:
    Liquor brings out a person's true color.(烈酒能顯示一個人真正的特色)
    或者說: Wine reveals a person's true heart.
    雖然老外不用“烈火煉真金”的比喻,但有“路遙知馬力”的說法:
    By a long road, we know a horse's strength;at times of difficulty, we discover a friend's true character.