返回目录The lotus flower is one of the most famed flowers in China, which is deeply loved by people. Lakes and ponds in many parts of China are suitable for the lotus to grow. The colorful lotuses, which bloom in summer mornings and close at night, bloom for two or three months, attracting tourists across the country to enjoy. The lotus has multiple functions. It can not only afforest the water surface and beautify the garden, but also purify water quality, reduce pollution and enhance the environment. The lotus flower confronts the fierce sun without fear and takes root in mucky soil without contamination. Therefore, it is regarded as a symbol of purity and elegance and is often used as a metaphor for people’s noble character, which makes it always be a key theme in poetic and painting creation. The place where the lotus blooms is also frequented by many photography enthusiasts.
参考译文
难点注释
1.第一句中的“中国的名花之一”可 翻译为“one of +可数名词复数” 结构。“深受人们喜爱”可译为which引导的非限制性定语从句， 修饰荷花。
2.第二句的主语是“湖泊和池塘”,“中国许多地方的”修饰主语，可 以译为介词短语作后置定语。“适宜荷花生长”可译为be suitable/hospitable for the lotus to grow 或be suitable/ hospitable for the lotus' growth。
3.第三句中的“荷花色彩鲜艳，夏日清晨绽放，夜晚闭合,花期长达 两三个月”是荷花的特点，正是因为这些特点才“吸引来自各地的 游客前往观赏”。因此，在翻译时可以把“吸引.....观赏”处理为 结果状语。描述荷花特点的文字比较多，如果翻译为并列句，结 构会很混乱，可把其中一个较长的特点“夏日清晨绽放，夜晚闭 合”译作主句,将“色彩鲜艳"和“花期长达两三个月”分别译作定 语从句和介词短语。
4.第四句首先概括“荷花具有多种功能”，接下来具体介绍各种功 能,因此可以拆译为两句。第二句可使用not only... but also. . . 结构，当not only位于句首时,它所在的分句要使用部分倒装。
5.第五句较长，可以拆译为两句。“迎骄阳而不惧，出污泥而不染” 是荷花“象征纯洁、高雅”以及“常常用来比喻人的高尚品德”的原 因。因此，两句话可用so或therefore衔接。
6.第六句中，“荷花盛开的"用来修饰“地方”，因此可译为where引 导的定语从句。“经常光顾之地”即“经常光顾的地方”，可以译作 a place (that is) frequented by....