在中国,喝茶是一种仪式(ritual),一种精致品味(refined taste)的展示。人们在饮茶的同时,也领略着(take delight in)品茶的情趣之意。喝茶聊天是中国人中最流行的打发时间的方式。过去,他们是以进有名的茶馆(teahouse)而开始一天的生活的。中国的茶馆相当于法国的咖啡馆和英国的酒馆。人们到这里不仅是为了喝茶。也是为了议论当地的新闻或对政治话题进行激烈的(furious)争论。

  参考译文

  Tea drinking in China is a ritual and a demonstration of the refined taste. While drinking tea, people also take delight in the essence of tea itself. Chatting over a pot of tea is a very popular way of pastime among Chinese. In the past, they would start the day with a visit to a well-known teahouse. Chinese teahouses would be the equivalent of French cafes and English pubs. People come here not just for tea, but also to discuss local news or to have furious political debates.

  难点注释

  1.汉语形散神聚,英文结构紧凑。处理句时,可以将几个小短句合译为一句结构严谨的英文。先确定句子的主谓宾,其中Tea thinking作句子主语,is可作系动词,本句中有两个并列表语,即“仪式”和“展示”,分别译为:ritual,demonstration。

  2.第二句中,“领略”可以译为:take delight in;“品茶的情趣之意”可以译为:the essence of tea itself。

  3.第三句中的“打发时间的方式”可以理解为“消遣、娱乐方式”,可译为:a way of pastime.

  4.第四句中的“相当于”可以用短语be the equivalent of来表达。

【责任编辑:豆腐李】