“西学为用，中学为体。” 是Western learning for practical application ;Chinese learning as a base。


《围城》读后走笔
Essay after reading Fortress Besieged
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 第一次接触《围城》是在克莱登学校(Carleton school)鬼混的时候，当时读的是人民文学出版社的一个本子，具体是第几版，现在也记不得了。读完后还观摩了上个世纪80年代拍的电视连续剧《围城》。现在应该是第三次读《围城》了，只不过这次读的是汉英对照本。这个本子是由珍妮•凯利(Jeanne Kelly)和茅国权(Nathan K. Mao)合译的，也是最早的一个英译本。以前读《围城》，三天就读完了，这一次前后却花了半个多月时间。

在读这本书时，发现书中有不少不错的译文，一直想把它摘录出来，惜乎一段时间以来一直忙于工作，没法静坐下来做这项工作。庆幸的是，现在终于可以将这项早就该做而一直没做的工作开展起来。

1、《围城》的著者是钱钟书，这是地球人都知道的。奇怪的是，译者不是将“钱钟书”译作Qian Zhongshu，而是Ch’ien Chung-shu。这种译法大抵只流行于民国时期和港台地区。也许是译者为了使其与著作所反映的时代背景相符以显得文雅得体的缘故吧。

2、序文中将“有考据癖的人”译为those with a fondness for history，从译文理解是“那些有历史爱好的人”或者是“那些历史爱好者”，这是意译的结果。偶个人认为将其译为those with a mania of textual research似乎更妥。译者将“索隐”和“附会”译成trace it out ，甚善。至少比硬译成eisegesis要强。译句原文是Those with a fondness foe history need not trouble themselves trying to trace them out。
3、序文中将“锱铢积累”译为the accumulation of many small moments，佳甚。锱铢，是古代的一种计量单位，一般比喻极其微小的数量。这里的译法可谓“信”矣。译句原文是I was through the accumulation of many small moments to find the time to finish it。
4、序文中将“佳话”译为fine rhetoric，rhetoric原意为“花言巧语的”。“佳话”一般可译为charming story，但是译者根据上下文将其译成fine rhetoric不可谓不匠心独运。
5、序文中“致身于国”译为offering one’s life to one’s country。偶认为也可译成devoting oneself to the country。
6、序文中将“还政于民”译作handing the reins of government back to the people，殊嘉，尤其是以reins of government来译“政”甚为传神。
7、 “合中国旧历的三伏，一年最热的时候。”在书中的译文是equivalent to the “san-fu” period of the lunar calendar—the hottest days of the year。
8、书中将“兵戈之象” 译作a portent of troops and arms，个人以为也可译成a premonition of wars。
9、“天涯相遇，一见如故”在书中的译文是meeting at a far corner of the earth ,and become good friends at once。
10、书中将“考订学家”译为the experts，似乎有些太过敷衍，此词大可译成authenticator ,emendator or corrector。
 11、书中将“孤芳自赏、落落难合的神情”译为a rather conceited，aloof expression，其中的conceited一词比用exclusive来译“孤芳自赏”要好。
12、“有缘千里来相会”在书中的译句是fate bring people together from a thousand li away，这比偶在其他辞书中看到的译句Separated as we are thousands of miles apart，we come together as if by predestination要简练得多 。
13、“前清举人”在书中的译文是pass the second-degree examination under Manchu rule。
14、书中将“衣锦还乡”译为returning home clothed in glory，偶认为也可译成return home after getting fame and wealth或者return to one’s old hometown in full glory。
15、“一乡之望”在书中的译文是one of the respected men in the community。
16、书中将“好不眼红”译为grow red-eyed with envy，偶认为倒不如译成be rather green with envy。
17、“文绉绉的”一词在书中的译句是（couched） in an elegant style，甚为合式。
18、书中将“之乎者也”译成any of the various particles of literary Chinese，这似乎比pedantic terms or literary jargon更让人易与理解和接受。译句原文是his letter was couched in an elegant style without incorrectly using any of the various particles of literary Chinese。
19、“迩来触绪善感，欢寡愁殷，怀抱剧有秋气。每揽镜自照，神寒形削，清癯非寿者相。”（也就是方鸿渐给老太爷写信的开头一段）在书中的译文是I have of late been very restless and fitful ,experiencing little joy and much grief .A feeling of “autumnal melancholy” has suddenly possessed me ,and every time I took into the mirror at my own reflection ,so gaunt and dispirited ,I feel it is not the face of one destined for longevity。
20、“尚望大人垂体下情，善为解铃，毋小不忍而成终天之恨。”在书中的译文是I hope you ,father ,will extend to me your understanding and sympathy and tactfully sever the ties that bind .Don’t get angry and reject my plea and thus help bring me everlasting woe。
21、书中将“千里负笈”译为hundreds of miles away to study。
22、“可叹可恨！”在书中的译文是Most deplorable and disgusting!此句译得干脆利落。
23、“父母在，不言老。”一句在书中的译文是When one’s parents are still living ,a son should not speak of getting old。
24、书中将“以死相吓”译为frighten sb. With the talk of death。
25、书中将“怀春”译为yearning of spring-time，此句是“吾知汝实为怀春”，译文是I know full well that what ails you are the “yearning of spring-time”。 偶以为可将“怀春”一词译成be stirring of love or desire for love。
26、“难逃老夫洞鉴也。”在书中的译文是Nothing can escape this old-timer’s sharp eye，偶有一种译法是You know , I ,your father ,am a good thought reader。当然此种译法仅供参考。
27、书中将“执迷不悟”译为carry on with this foolishness，偶认为也可译成be incorrigible。
28、“细思吾言，慎之切切！”在书中的译文是Give careful thought to my words and take them to heart。
29、“殊甚痛惜”在书中的译文是I am deeply sorry。
30、“好事多磨”在书中的译文是all good things have unexpected setbacks，偶认为还可译成Good things always go through many trials and tribulations, or The road to happiness is full of hardships and tribulations ,or A good business never runs smooth。
31、“塞翁失马，焉知非福。”在书中的译文是This maybe a blessing in disguise，偶认为这句成语还可译成Misfortune maybe an actual blessing ,or Behind bad luck comes good fortune ,or A loss may turn out to be a gain。
32、书中将“远到之器”译为talent that would take sb. far。
33、“庶几克绍箕裘，后来居上。”在书中的译文是following in one’s father’s footsteps and even surpassing him。偶自己的译法是taking over the mantle of sb. and even excelling over the person。
34、“愚亦与有荣焉。”在书中的译文是I too would share in your glory。
35、书中将“薄利多销”译为low profits but wide markets，偶自己的译法是small profits and good sales。
36、书中将“艳如桃李，冷如冰霜”译为as delectable as peach and plum and as cold as frost and ice。偶的个人译法是be pealike and kissable ,and be icy and frosty。
37、书中将“秀色可餐”译为beauty is such a feast to the eye。
38、“久仰！久仰！”在书中的译文是I have heard about you for a long time，当然此句也可用I’ve long been looking forward to meeting you来表达。
39、“为民喉舌”和 “直笔谠论”在书中的译文分别是the mouthpiece of the people and the mirror of truth。
40、“家学渊源”一词在书中的译文是scholarly family background。
41、“斯人也而有斯疾也！”在书中的译文是That this man should have this disease。
41、“斯人也而有斯疾也！”在书中的译文是That this man should have this disease。
42、“一顾倾城，再顾倾国”在书中的译法是One glance conquer a city and whose second glance could vanquish an empire。书中将“倾国倾城貌”译为a face that could overthrow a kingdom or topple a city。
43、书中将“披沙拣金似的”译为as through sifting sand for gold。
44、“天作之合，大吉大利。”在书中的译文是A union made in heaven ,full of great fortune and prosperity。
45、“西学为用，中学为体。”一句在书中的译文是Western learning for practical application ;Chinese learning as a base。
46、“花气熏人欲破禅。”在书中的译文是Flower scent overcomes man ,making him wish to break Zen。
47、“今天怎么会来？”一句是What brought you here today?
48、“真是金榜题名、洞房花烛，要算得双喜临门了。”一句在书中的译文是That’s really a case of having you (应为your，大抵是印刷错误之故)name on the golden rolls and figured candles in the nuptial chamber –they call double happiness。
49、书中“春秋笔法”一词译为in the manner of Spring and Autumn Chronicles；将“皮里阳秋的笔法”译为veiled manner，偶个人认为可将其译成mental criticise。
50、“滑稽玩世”在书中的译句为thumb one’s nose at the world。