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大学英语翻译教程
1.8.7.13 十三、蜡染
十三、蜡染

【翻译原文】

据说在中国,蜡染(wax printing)早在秦末或者汉初就已经出现,但它最初作为成品出现是在唐朝。蜡染是“丝绸之路”的商品之一,这些商品被出口到欧洲和其他地方。蜡染在中国是代代传承下来的。它是苗族(Miao ethnic minority)独特的绘画和手工染色工艺。作为中国最具有民族特色的艺术之一,蜡染产品的种类很多,有墙上挂饰、邮包、书包、桌套等等。

【表达难点】

1.据说在中国,蜡染早在秦末或者汉初就已经出现:“据说”可译为it is said that或it is believed that。表示时间状语的词“秦末”和“汉初”分别可译为the late Qin Dynasty和the early Han Dynasty。“早在”可翻译为as early as。

2.但它最初作为成品出现是在唐朝:该句中的“出现”可译为occur,避免与上文重复,其是不及物动词。“成品”可译为a finished product,动词的过去分词可以表示动作已完成。

3.蜡染在中国是代代传承下来的:“代代”可译为from generation to generation,from…to意为“从一个到另一个“流传”可译为pass down。

4.中国最具有民族特色的艺术之一:“最……之一”可翻译为“one of the+形容词最高级”的形式。“民族特色的艺术”可译为characteristic national art。

【精彩译文】

It is believed thatwax printing appeared in China as early as the late Qin or early Han Dynasty,but it first occurred as a finished product during the Tang Dynasty.Itwas one of“the Silk Road”goods thatwere exported to Europe and elsewhere.Wax printing has been passed down from generation to generation in China.It is a unique drawing and dyeing handwork of the Miao ethnic minority.As one of the most characteristic national arts in China,wax printing products are various including wall hangings,letter bags,bags,table-clothes and so on.