《蜀相》英译

g
godog
楼主 (文学峸)

《蜀相》

 

杜甫

 

丞相祠堂何处寻?锦官城外柏森森。

映阶碧草自春色,隔叶黄鹂空好音。

三顾频烦天下计,两朝开济老臣心。

出师未捷身先死,长使英雄泪满襟。

 

Three translations below:

 

(1) Translated by Stephen Owen.

 

Shu's Minister

 

The shrine hall to the Minister, where can it be found?—

outside the walls of Brocade City, where the cypress tree stands dense.

 

Half hiding the stairs, sapphire grasses take on the colors of spring,

yellow orioles beyond the leaves give fine notes for naught.

 

Thrice called on, urged repeatedly: his plans for all the world.

for two reigns, founding and sustaining: an old officer's heart.

 

Ere “the army sent forth” was victorious, the man himself died,

it always makes bold-spirited men fill their clothes with tears.

 

(2) Modified by godog based on Stephen Owen's translation.

 

Shu's Premier

 

The shrine hall to the Premier, where can it be found?—

outside the Brocade City, where the dense cypresses stand their ground.

 

Half hiding the stairs, sapphire grasses take on the colors of spring,

yellow orioles beyond the leaves sing fine notes for nothing.

 

Thrice called on, urged repeatedly: for all the world his plans.

Founding and sustaining: an old officer's heart for two reigns.

 

Before the army he sent forth won, the man himself died,

it always made heroes wet their sleeves as they cried.

 

(3) Translated by Xu Yuanchong (许渊冲).

 

Temple of the Premier of Shu

 

Where is the famous premier's temple to be found?

 

Outside the Town of Brocade with cypresses around.

 

In vain before the steps spring grass grows green and long,

 

And amid the leaves golden orioles sing their song.

 

Thrice the king visited him for the State's gains and pains;

 

He served heart and soul the kingdom during two reigns.

 

But he died before he accomplished his career.

 

How could heroes not wet their sleeves with tear on tear!

盈盈一笑间
沙发!点赞!今天有事忘记发周五的一句话翻译了。但是,G兄和楼下朋友码农的中译英主题,更有趣。赞!
盈盈一笑间
三个版本的英文翻译,值得细细读来,谢谢分享,欣赏,学习。。
忒忒绿
英译棒棒哒,赞!如果有原文的押韵更好了:)
w
waterfowl
I like your modified version more.
唐宋韵
最难的可能是“三顾频烦天下计,两朝开济老臣心”两句。Owen的理解我认为是有误的。许渊冲的意译我觉得可以。
唐宋韵
但三顾茅庐怎成”二顾”? 而且把“天下”译成state我觉得见小.。
方外居士
Interesting, thanks for sharing!
g
godog
Thrice是三次的意思。天下应该要么译作all the world, 要么all China
g
godog
相反,我觉得许渊冲的翻译扣原文不够紧,频烦没译出来,开济也没译出来,这些Owen都译到了,

翻译要做到信雅达,许译最雅,但信不够。

 

“信”指意义不悖原文,即是译文要准确,不偏离,不遗漏,也不要随意增减意思;“达”指不拘泥于原文形式,译文通顺明白;“雅”则指译文时选用的词语要得体,追求文章优雅。

唐宋韵
sorry, 我看错了。。。
颤音
great translation! tough job
方外居士
All the known world
忒忒绿
where’s the Minister’s shrine you can see? Outside Bricade city
忒忒绿
among the cypress trees
盈盈一笑间
同意每一个字!这首七律不好翻译。。
方外居士
Is “cypress tree“ a special symbol in English poem as well?