[1] 英文的 you ,並沒有區分單複數,即使相應的動詞變化也不區分。這是因為在英
文思維的觀念中,作為聽者的第二人稱,並不分別單複數,所以 you 就同時對應著中
文的第二人稱“你”與“你們”,而 you 的中文翻譯就必須視上下文情況而定。關於
代名詞的意義區分,太平洋群島中的新美拉尼西亞語有個更明顯的例子,在這種語言中
區分兩種“我們”:一種是包含聽者,另一種是不包含聽者。所以中文的“我們”要譯
成新美拉尼西亞語時,就如同英文的 you 要譯成中文時,也會遇到要如何對應的問題
。在我的譯文中,對於 you 的譯法,是以文感優美為主;也就是說,只要不影響到文
義,我會根據譯文優美與否,來決定使用“你”或者“你們”。
[2] the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself 的直譯是“生命渴盼祂自己的子女”
,但如此譯文不但容易弄錯意思,而且也沒傳達意義,所以才譯為“生命為祂自己所
渴盼的子女”。
[3] 此句因為弓是複數,本應譯作“你們”,但為行文美感,所以譯為“你”。此句原
文以 from which 聯結兩句,可中文直譯會文氣弱化,所以最後用“由你射出”來聯結
兩句。
[4] the infinite 在此是意謂“無窮無盡的時空”,意喻人生的時空生涯。為求行文
通暢,所以沒有譯出“時空”。
CHILDREN
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children."
And he said: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of to-morrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.作者: 风筝蓝 时间: 2005-12-30 10:32
这是我的翻译。呵呵。贴上来看看。:)