高中基础 (2309期20160112) 1版 Why We Translate (Anew)

Pre-reading Do you like reading English novels? Do you usually read in the original or read the translated works? How much do you know about Feng Tang? Have you ever read his works? 2

Pre-reading WHO IS TAGORE? Rabindranath Tagore is regarded as one of the most influential writers in modern Indian literature. As a poet, novelist and educator, Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. He was the first Asian to win this prize. Tagore started to compose poems at the age of eight. His first book, a collection of poems, appeared when he was 17. 3 3

While reading WORD BANK 4 A recent Chinese translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Stray Birds, a classic of Indian poetry, has been withdrawn from sale by its publisher after a widespread complaint about its style of translation. classic n. 经典作品 poetry n. 诗歌 withdraw v. 下架，停止提供 widespread adj. 普遍的，广泛的 4

While reading WORD BANK 5 Some argue that a translator’s job is to interpret the work literally, especially in the case of timeless classics like Tagore’s works. interpret v. 诠释，表现 literally adv. 字面上地 timeless adj. 永不过时的 5

poetry defend interpret literary translation While reading VOCABULARY EXERCISES Choose an appropriate word for each sentence and fill in the blank with its proper form. poetry defend interpret literary translation defensive 1. These rockets are purely ___________ measures. 2. I don’t speak Italian—can you ___________ it for me? 3. Recently, he was studying the works of modern American __________. 4. Scientists made a(n) ______________ based on the data available. 5. I’m studying 20th century English ___________ at university. translate poets interpretation literature 6

While reading VOCABULARY EXERCISES Translate the following sentences into English. 1. 秋色给房间增添了暖意。(add) 2. 这些车辆大部分已经不再使用了。(withdraw) 3. 迈克为什么要离去，大家都感到好奇。(as to) 4. 多亏天公作美，我们的野餐棒极了。(thanks to) Autumn colors add warmth to a room. Most of the vehicles have been withdrawn from service. Everyone was curious as to why Mike was leaving. Thanks to the good weather, we had a great picnic. 7

While reading COMPREHENSION Choose the best answer. 1. According to the article, Feng Tang intends to _____ by translating Stray Birds anew. A. earn more money B. establish himself as a translator C. add his personal style to the work D. express his respect to Tagore 8

While reading Choose the best answer. 2. According to the author, a new translator needs to bear ______ in mind when he is translating an old work of literature anew. A. the style of his translation B. the quality of his translation C. the efficiency of his translation D. the goal of his translation 9

While reading Choose the best answer. 3. What does the author think of Feng Tang’s translation of Stray Birds? A. The translation changed the meaning of the original. B. The translation has too many mistakes. C. The translation could be misleading to his students. D. The translation is not worth buying. 10

While reading COMPREHENSION Answer the following question. Why has Feng Tang’s Stray Birds been withdrawn from sale? Because the book received a widespread complaint about its style of translation. 11

While reading Answer the following question. 2. According to the author, why is it hard to create a definitive translation? Because literary effect and meaning have complex sources. 12

Language study GRAMMAR TIP The translation, by the Beijing novelist Feng Tang, makes liberal changes to the poetry. ☞上面这个句子中， Feng Tang是对前面the Beijing novelist所做出的解释或补充说明，两者所指的其实是同一事物。像这样的名词短语（或相当于名词的短语）被称作为同位语。 e.g. Laura Myers, a BBC reporter, asked for an interview. He told me that his brother John was a world-famous musician. 13

Language study YOUR TURN Translate the following sentences into English. 1. 我们中国人民是勤劳勇敢的。 2. 昨天，我遇到了我弟弟的朋友汤姆。 3. 他们比赛获胜的消息很快便传遍了整个学校。 4. 我们将讨论运动会是否如期举行的问题。 We Chinese people are hardworking and brave. Yesterday I met Tom, a friend of my brother’s. The news that they had won the game soon spread over the whole school. We’ll discuss the problem whether the sports meeting will be held on time. 14

After reading Question for further discussion: Hints: Many works of literature have more than one versions of translation. What would you usually do to buy yourself a most suitable translation? Hints: First of all, I think I need to understand why I need a translation—do I read the translation simply for fun, or help me improve my English and translation skills? Secondly, I may take a look at the reviews on online shopping websites such as Amazon. I may also ask my teacher for help. Maybe she knows which version suits me best. 15