|
1. 人山人海：有人直译为：People mountain people sea. 这就是「中国英文」，老外很难理解。他们指「人多」时，通常只说：「There is a large crowd of people.」如果看到电影院门前大排长龙，也只说：「There is (was) a long movie line.」 不过在诗词用语 (poetic expression) 里，老外也有使用：「a (the) sea of faces」，颇有咱们「人山人海」的味道。例如： Looking out upon the sea of faces, Mr. A delivered a touching speech.(望着一片人山人海的听众， A先生发表一篇动人的演说。) Standing at his podium, President Clinton saw a sea of faces waving at him.(柯林顿总统站在讲台上看到人山人海的人群挥手向他致意。) 可见，说话者通常要在台上或高处，才有「人海」的感觉。因此，可以说：I saw a sea of faces from the top of the building. 但在平地的人群中，就不说：「I saw the sea of faces.」也不说：「There is a sea of faces.」只说：「I saw a large crowd of people.」 2. 家家有本难念的经：有人译成：Every family cooking - pot has a black spot. (意思是：每个家庭的锅子都有黑色的污点) 这样说法，老外恐怕不能充分了解。不过老外 常的说法是： Many families have skeletons in the closet. (许多家庭的衣柜里都有骨骸) (骨骸就是指家丑) 或者说： Every family has its own source of shame. (每个家庭都有自己的丑事) 说白些，就是： Every family has its own problem. 3. 天下无不散的宴席：有人直译为：There are no feasts in the world which do not break up at last. 老外听后，也许很难体会其中意义。如果按照美语说法，也许易理解： All good things come to an end. (意思是：所有好的事情，总有结束的一天。) (责任编辑：admin) |
