每日翻译练习[四]

Lost in Translation?
语言差异
Translation is communication, but never that easy as a target word for a source word. A translator, who is a mediator to bridge up possible gaps and therefore ensure smooth communication, must accommodate to both target linguistic conventions and target culture so that the translated piece reads smoothly and is culturally acceptable.
翻译是一种交流技术，但是从来都很难达到两种语言之间的完美转换。为消除语言差异促成交流的译者，必须深刻了解两种语言的文化背景和表达特点，才能够达到表达的清楚顺畅。
Different languages entail different cultures behind it. Without such consciousness and appropriate cultural knowledge it would be no surprise that communication failed. Culture means all kinds of things, the arts collectively: art, music, literature, and related intellectual activities; knowledge and sophistication: enlightenment and sophistication acquired through education and exposure to the arts; shared beliefs and values of a group: the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular nation or people; shared attitudes: a particular set of attitudes that characterizes a group of people.

不同的语言都有其特有的文化背景和起源。我们如果对这些文化缺乏足够的了解，无疑会有交流困难的。这些文化包括所有的相关内容：
共有的艺术：美术、音乐、文学等相关智力活动；
知识和教养：源自从小教育而产生的教养和启蒙；
信仰和价值观：宗教信仰、习俗、行事方式以及特殊人群或种族的习惯；
共有的态度：特有的态度能够类化一个人群。
Culture is usually acquired through enculturation, the process through which an older generation induces and compels a younger generation to reproduce the established lifestyle; consequently, culture is embedded in a person’s way of life. Culture is difficult to quantify, because it frequently exists at an unconscious level, or at least tends to be so pervasive that it escapes everyday thought.

文化通常是通过适应来获得的，这个过程实际上是文化通常是通过适应来获得的，这个过程实际上是上一代引导并带强制性的让下一代接受现有的体系；因此，文明是伴随一个人的一生的。文化是难以测量的，因为它一直很抽象的存在着的，或者它是在每天的思考中慢慢渗透。
There are many examples of mistranslations or bad translations because the translators were ignorant of the cultural differences between languages. Not only are there differences between Chinese and English, there are differences within each of the two languages as well. The challenge for translators is to be aware of these differences. A translator may try step by step to overcome the difficulties in comprehending the remote culture and ambiguous language of an individual author.
有很多因为译者忽视文化差异而造成误译的例子。不仅仅是存在于中英文互译，而是广泛存在于任意两种语言间的翻译。译者必须面对这种差异带来的考验，逐渐适应那些独特说话者的杜特文化和费解的语言。
However, besides being aware of differences, translators must also keep abreast of changes and be adept at knowing or even coming out with new words to render new inventions and new situations. The world today is being transformed at an unprecedented pace. Things around us are changing all the time – new technology, new inventions, and new cultures. New words are being churned out at an amazing speed. Thus, one of the challenges for translators is to learn to appreciate differences and also to keep up with the constant change that is happening all around us.
除了要了解差异，译者们还需要不断适应变化，精通新词汇新形势，甚至善于创造新的表达方式。当今世界时日新月异的。我们身边的世界无时不刻在变化着，新技术、新发现、新文化不断产生。因此，译者面临身边不断的变化，而且要正视他们。
With the proliferation of Internet and Internet-related products and businesses, myriads of new phrases, terminology and concepts are expected. Suitable translations are required for words, phrases, concepts and procedures. To do this, translators must first understand what these are. Therefore, they cannot afford to be lazy. They must make an effort to acquire these new branches of knowledge. An excellent translator should impart a rare combination of professional aptitude along with a great artistic flair.
随着英特网的产生以及相关产业的激增，无数的新词句、新术语，新概念出现了。于是需要有对这些词汇语句的相应翻译。翻译工作者必须这些了如指掌，因此，他们决不可懒惰。他们要努力获取相关的知识。一个称职的翻译人员，应该是具有充足的专业知识和艺术功底。
It is difficult enough just to keep up with the advances in science and technology, what is more difficult is to keep up with popular culture that moves at a bewildering pace. Popular music, fashions, trends, teen-speak: they change as soon as you think you have gotten the hang of them.
要想一直紧跟科技最前沿的确很不容易，更难得的是要紧跟流行文化的不断变化。流行音乐、时装、流行趋势以及年轻人嘴上的话：这些东西总是在你觉得追赶上了时候又在不断翻新。
To keep up with all these changes and trends, dictionaries are useful but quite inadequate. Besides, they become out-dated after some time. One of the best ways to keep up is to do what many young people today do: read lifestyle magazines, watch television and MTV, surf the Internet. Besides these, one must also read newspapers, news magazines, journals and the like to keep abreast of developments in the world
要能适应并紧跟这些潮流和变化，使用工具书是远远不够的，因为它们总是会过时。最最合适的方法是跟年轻人走到一起去：读时尚杂志、多看电视特别是MTV、浏览网页。除了这些，还有一个也很重要，就是读报章杂志，新闻总是与那些世界上的最新变动同步着。