2019年6月四级真题(第二套)翻译解析
参考译文

Lanterns originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and were at first used primarily for lighting. In the Tang Dynasty, people used red lanterns to celebrate a stable life. Since then, lanterns have became popular in many parts of China. Lanterns are usually made of brightly-colored tissue paper in a variety of shapes and sizes. In traditional Chinese culture, red lanterns symbolize a happy life and flourishing business, usually hung during festivals like the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and National Day. Today, red lanterns can be seen in many other parts of the world.

难点注释

1. 第一句可像参考译文那样译为包含两个谓宾结构的简单句,也可处理为“状语+主干”结构,译为“Dating back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, lanterns were at first used mainly for lighting.”。

2. 第二句中的“人们用红灯笼来庆祝安定的生活”可翻译为use sth. to do sth.结构,可像参考译文那样使用主动结构,也可使用被动结构,译为red lanterns were used to celebrate a stable life。

3. 第三句中的“从那时起”是典型的完成时的时间状语,注意句子应用完成时态,可译为lanterns have became popular in many parts of China或lanterns have widely spread in much of the country。

4. 第四句中的“用色彩鲜艳的薄纸制作”可译为are made of brightly-colored tissue paper;“形状和尺寸各异”可处理为独立的句子“They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.”或译为介词短语in various/a variety of shapes and sizes作状语。

5. 第五句中的“象征生活美满和生意兴隆”还可译为are a symbol of the happiness in life and the prosperity of business。“通常在春节、元宵节和国庆等节日期间悬挂”可处理为过去分词短语作状语,译为usually hung during festivals like the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and National Day,也可处理为独立的句子,译为“They are usually hung during festivals such as...”。

6. 第六句可像参考译文一样处理为被动结构,也可以处理为主动结构“Today, red lanterns appear in many other parts of the world.”。