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大学英语翻译教程
1.8.1.2 二、二十四节气
二、二十四节气

【翻译原文】

二十四节气(solar terms)的划分起源于黄河流域一带(Yellow River area),是中国古代历法(calendar)特有的重要组成部分和独特创造。在古代中国,人们常用二十四节气来表示季节更替和气候变化状况。节气的制定是我们祖先在长期的农业生产实践中,逐步认识气象变化规律的结果。长期以来,甚至直到今天,二十四节气在中国的农牧业生产(agricultural and animal husbandry production)中一直起着重要的作用。

【表达难点】

1.第1句中采用了非谓语动词的表达形式。

2.第2句中采用了被动语态的表达形式be used to。

【精彩译文】

The twenty-four solar terms is a unique component and creative invention of the Chinese traditional calendar,first originating from the Yellow River area.Itwas used to indicate the alternation of seasons and climate changes in ancient China.The establishment of solar terms reflected our ancestors’knowledge about climate changes during their long history of farming activities.Over years,it has played an important role in China’s agricultural and animal husbandry production even to this day.