习惯用语英语新译(一)
·一桶水摇不响,半桶水响叮当
有人照字面译成:The full pot of water makes no sound;the half-empty pot of water is noisy.
老外听后,也许会感到困惑。他们有自己的说法:
A little knowledge(or learning)can be(or is)dangerous.(一知半解很危险)
或者说:Still water runs deep.(静水深不可测)
也可以说:
He who knows the most says the least.(懂得越多的人,反而说得越少。)
至于“大智若愚”,通常可以这么说:
A truly wise person does not show off his(her)ability.(真正聪明的人,是不会显要自己的能力)
·水落石出
有人照字直译为:As the water level sinks,the stones are exposed.
这样说,恐怕老外还是听不懂。他们的说法是:
All secrets may eventually come to light.(所有祕密最后总会曝光。)
也可以说:
Eventually,every secret will be disclosed.
·这山望到那山高
有人译成:The apples on the other side of the wall are the sweetest.(意思是:墙那边的苹果最甜)
当然,如要译成:
If you stand on a mountain,you feel the distant mountain seems higher than yours. 老外也勉强能接受。
而他们的最习惯说法是:
The grass always looks greener on the other side.(另一边的草,看来总是绿些。)
·烈火炼真金,患难见真情
有人译成:Fire is the test of gold;adversity is the test of friendship.
这句译文,虽然很好,老外也能了解,但是他们还有另外的说法:
Liquor brings out a person’s true color.(烈酒能显示一个人真正的特色)
或者说:Wine reveals a person’s true heart.
虽然老外不用“烈火炼真金”的比喻,但有“路遥知马力”的说法:
By a long road,we know a horse’s strength;at times of difficulty,we discover a friend’s true character.[1][2][3]
《高中英语语法-习惯用语英语新译(一)》由留学英语组编辑整理(www.liuxue86.com)