汉译英赏析:英培安《欣赏自己》
英语课
《欣赏自己》
On Self-Appreciation
不怕直说,我是相当欣赏自己的。我承认自己有许多不如人的地方,但也知道并不老是这样差劲。所以,我做了一件事,写了一篇文章,只要自觉还不错我可以乐上几天,遇有人赞,更飘飘然得不像话;甚至还会忘其所以,插上几句自夸的话。
Frankly 1, I very much appreciate myself. Yes, I admit I’m in many respects not as good as other people, but I don’t think I’m always no good. When I find what I’ve done or written is okay, I’ll remain pleased with myself for quite a few days, and, in case I receive praise for it, I’ll even become so swollen-headed as to add a few words to glorify 2 myself.
真的,我一点也不谦虚。
True, I’m not modest at all.
汉译英赏析:英培安《欣赏自己》
或者这就是自负吧,恐怕要给人骂了。但有什么不对呢?
People may call me conceited 3. But I think otherwise.
我也欣赏别人,凡是好的东西我都欣赏。只懂得欣赏别人而忘了欣赏自己,岂不是太不公平了?
I also appreciate other people. I appreciate anything good. Isn’t it unfair to forget appreciating myself while appreciating others?
但是我们华人总是比较谦虚,而且引以为荣。自己的太太叫拙荆,文章曰拙作。如果你当真叫他的太太山芭婆,文章如狗屁,他保证勃然大怒,和你拍桌子绝交。其实,你所说的,和他说的,可能并没什么两样。
We Chinese are generally inclined to be modest, and we take pride in being so. For example, a Chinese will call his own wife zhuojing, meaning “my humble 4 wife”, and his own writings zhuozuo, meaning “my poor writings”. But if you should call his wife a “rustic women” or his writings “trash”, he would, I’m sure, slap the table in a rage and declare he would make a clean break with you. As a matter of fact, there is probably no difference at all between what is said by him and you respectively.
我认为,如果你的东西确是好的,直接说它好,没有什么不对。老王卖瓜,只要卖的是好瓜,为什么不能自卖自夸?
I don’t think it’s wrong for you to freely praise yourself if you’re really worthy 5 of praise. As we know, there is an old Chinese saying disparaging 6 a melon peddler, named Lao Wang, who keeps praising his own goods. Well, why can’t he praise his melons if they are really sweet and juicy?
老兄,老王是靠卖瓜吃饭的,叫他也学我们书生扭扭捏捏,对自己的瓜谦虚一番,生意还用做么?他保证饿死大吉。
Friends, Lao Wang sells melons for a living. How could he carry on business if he, by imitating the affectations of us intellectuals, were to show false modesty 7 about his melons? He would sure enough die of starvation.
能欣赏自己,才能敬业乐业,写文章的人,若老是觉得自己的文章不行,我不相信他有信心涂下去。
Self-appreciation is therefore the key to professional dedication 8 and enjoyment 9 of work. One will lose confidence in continuing with writing when he ceases to admire his own essays.
卖文的,更不必说了。
Needless to say, the same is true of those who make a living with their pen.
(译者:张培基)
adv.坦白地,直率地;坦率地说
- To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说,我一点也不赞成这个主意。
- Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说,我不反对改革。
vt.颂扬,赞美,使增光,美化
- Politicians have complained that the media glorify drugs.政治家们抱怨媒体美化毒品。
- We are all committed to serving the Lord and glorifying His name in the best way we know.我们全心全意敬奉上帝,竭尽所能颂扬他的美名。
adj.自负的,骄傲自满的
- He could not bear that they should be so conceited.他们这样自高自大他受不了。
- I'm not as conceited as so many people seem to think.我不像很多人认为的那么自负。
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低
- In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
- Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
- I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
- There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
adj.轻蔑的,毁谤的v.轻视( disparage的现在分词 );贬低;批评;非难
- Halliday's comments grew daily more and more sparklingly disagreeable and disparaging. 一天天过去,哈里代的评论越来越肆无忌惮,越来越讨人嫌,越来越阴损了。 来自英汉文学 - 败坏赫德莱堡
- Even with favorable items they would usually add some disparaging comments. 即使对好消息,他们也往往要加上几句诋毁的评语。 来自互联网
n.谦逊,虚心,端庄,稳重,羞怯,朴素
- Industry and modesty are the chief factors of his success.勤奋和谦虚是他成功的主要因素。
- As conceit makes one lag behind,so modesty helps one make progress.骄傲使人落后,谦虚使人进步。
n.奉献,献身,致力,题献,献辞
- We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
- Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。
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