2020年9月四级真题(第一套)翻译解析
参考译文

Moutai is the most famous spirit in China.On the eve of the founding of New China, it was chosen as representative liquor for state banquets.

lt is said that villagers along the banks of Chishui River began brewing Moutai four thousand years ago.During the Westem Han Dynasty，people there produced high-quality Moutai and presented it to the emperor as a tribute.Since the 'Tang Dynasty,this local spirit has been shipped overseas via the Maritime Silk Road.

With a mild flavor and a special aroma，moderate amounts of Moutai can help reduce fatigue and have a calming effect，so it is widely loved by consumers at home and abroad.

难点注释

1.茅台(Moutai)是中国最有名的白酒,在新中国成立前夕,被选为国宴用酒。

(词汇) 难点白酒spirit/liquor;在新中国成立前夕on the eve of the founding of New China;国宴 state banquet

(表达难点) 本句指出茅台在中国至高无上的地位。前半句说明茅台的名气之大,后半句举例加以阐 释。前后句意完整,翻译时可考虑断为两句,使句意更明确。在英文中,与“白酒”相对应的是spirit或 liquor,即“烈性酒”;注意不能译作表示“白葡萄酒”的white wine。

2.据说赤水沿岸的村民四千年前就开始酿造茅台。

(词汇) 难点赤水沿岸along the banks of Chishui River;酿造brew/make

(表达难点) 本句说明茅台的历史之悠久。“据说....常用句式“It is said that.."来表达,其中句首“It”作形式主语,指代后面that所述部分;也可译为“People/They say that..."。“四千年前就开 始.....”可译为“began...four thousand years ago”.

3.在西汉时期,那里的人们生产出了高质量的茅台,并把它贡给皇帝。

(词汇) 难点西汉the Westem Han Dynasty;高质量的茅台high-quality Moutai/Moutai of high quality;皇帝emperor

(表达难点) 此句承接上句,继续说明茅台的历史。“把它贡给皇帝”中的“它”指的是“茅台”,可用it 指代,可译为presented it to the emperor as a tribute,即“将它作为贡品呈送给皇帝”。

4.自唐朝开始,这种地方酒通过海上丝绸之路运往海外。

(词汇) 难点唐朝the Tang Dynasty;通过via/through;海上丝绸之路the Maritime Silk Road;运往海 外shipped overseas.

(表达难点) 本句继续说明茅台的历史。注意本句的时态“自...开始”为典型的完成时态时间状语 译作“sinc...",谓语动词用完成时态。

5.茅台味道柔和,有一种特殊的香味;适量饮用可以帮助缓解疲劳,有镇静作用,因而广受国内外消费者的 喜爱。

(词汇) 难点味道柔和have a mild flavor/be mild in flavor;香味aroma/pleasant smell;适量饮用 drinking in moderation/moderate amounts of sth.;缓解reduce/relieve;疲劳fatigue/tiredness;镇静作 用calming effect;海内外at home and abroad;消费者consumer

(表达难点) 本句说明茅台受人喜爱的原因。翻译时应注意本句的因果关系:茅台受人喜爱有两方面 原因一口感独特且有益身心。翻译时应注意不能将这两个原因分割开来,而应将这两个原因合并起 来,然后用so引导结果状语从句。英文中的flavor可表示“食物或饮料”的“风味、口感”,符合此处“味 道”的语境。