“七夕”在網上有很多種翻譯方法：Qixi Festival(七夕節)，Double Seventh Festival(雙七節)甚至Magpie Festival(喜鵲節)。其實這些翻譯都有舍近求遠之嫌，不了解中國文化的外國人是不會明白的。下面我們來學習一段前些年的BBC新聞，看一看“七夕”如何翻譯比較好。
以下新聞摘自BBC官網(節選)
Celebrated this year on August 15, the Chinese Saint Valentine’s Day was created in memory of two ancient lovers who were separated by a goddess and only allowed to meet once a year.
Many Chinese also commemorate the Western Valentine’s Day on February 14, with shop owners and florists cashing on the rush of flowers and gifts for loved or desired ones and restaurants fully booked.
【語言點解析】
1. the Chinese Saint Valentine’s Day 中國情人節(七夕)。筆者認為，這是最務實，最有效率的翻譯方法。類似地，“梁山伯與祝英臺”其實翻譯為Chinese Romeo and Juliet(中國的羅密歐與朱麗葉)就可以了。
2. in memory of 紀念(死去的人)。文中的...was created in memory of...這個句型常常可用來解釋一個節日，如中國的端午節：The Dragon Boat Festival was created in memory of an ancient Chinese poet, Qu Yuan.
【例】a statue in memory of those who died in the war 一座紀念陣亡人士的紀念碑
(來源：Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English)
3. lovers 情侶。請注意，lover用復數通常表示“情侶”，而不是有著不正當關系的“情人”。
【例】young lovers strolling in the park 在公園漫步的年輕情侶
(來源：Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary)
4. commemorate /k?ˋm?m??ret/ 慶祝;紀念
【例】We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday. 我們放假一日以慶祝國慶。
(來源：Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary)
5. florist /ˋfl?r?st/ 花店老板;花商
6. cash on(以不道德的手段)獲取利潤。還可以說成cash in on。
【例】The shops are cashing in on temporary shortages by raising prices. 商店趁一時缺貨而提高價格從中獲利。
(來源：Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary)
7. desire /d?ˋza?r/ 希望獲得;想得到
【例】We all desire happiness and health. 我們都希望幸福和健康。
(來源：Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary)
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此文章轉自謝昕呈老師的微信公眾平臺，微信公眾號為xiexinchengsteven。
