Part IV　Translation

【参考译文】

The annual Chinese language speech contest for foreigners was held in Changsha this year.1 This contest has proved to be a good medium to promote cultural exchanges between China and other parts of the world.2 It provides a chance for young people around the world to understand China better.3

A total of 126 contestants from 87 countries gathered in the capital of Hunan Province and participated in the semi-finals and the final from July 6th to August 5th.4

Beside the speech contest, contestants also had the opportunity to visit famous scenic spots and historical sites in other parts of China.5

【译点精析】

1.今年在长沙举行了一年一度的外国人汉语演讲比赛：“举行比赛”翻译为hold a contest/competition, 本句中根据习惯翻译成被动语态，是为了突出“比赛”这一主题；“一年一度”翻译为annual；“外国人汉语演讲比赛”翻译为Chinese language speech contest for foreigners。

2.这项比赛证明是促进中国和世界其他地区文化交流的好方法：“证明是”翻译为prove to be（本文中根据上下文时态需要译成了完成时has proved to be）；“好的方法”在此处不宜直译为a good method, 应根据其真实含义转译为a good medium, 即“好的媒介或渠道”，这样才能与句子真正的主语contest（比赛）搭配；“促进中国和世界其他地区文化交流”采用了不定式短语作后置定语的形式来呈现，即to promote cultural exchanges between China and other parts of the world, 修饰限定a good medium。

3.为世界各地的年轻人提供了更好地了解中国的机会：翻译为provides/offers a chance for young people around the world to understand China better。

4.来自87个国家共计126位选手聚集在湖南省省会参加了从7月6日到8月5日进行的半决赛和决赛：句子的主干是“共计126位选手聚集在省会参加半决赛和决赛”，即A total of 126 contestants gathered in the capital and participated in the semi-finals and the final, 然后将修饰性语句加上，如“来自87个国家(from 87 countries)”、“湖南省(of Hunan Province)”和“从7月6日到8月5日进行的(from July 6th to August 5th, 其中“进行的”不必译出，因此省译了）”；除了划分句子结构，本句翻译的难点还在于翻译“共计(a total of)”和“半决赛和决赛(the semi-finals and the final)”，需要考生平时多积累相关表达。

5.比赛并不是唯一的活动。选手们还有机会参观了中国其他地区的著名景点和历史名胜：这两个句子从英语的角度可以合在一起翻译，用besides（除了……之外）这一介词将两者连接起来，这样比较符合英语语言表达习惯；“选手们”翻译为contestants, 注意在英语中针对不同的比赛，“选手”有不同的表达方式，文艺竞赛类的选手用contestants, 而球类比赛项目用players或competitors；“有机会”翻译为had the chance/opportunity；“著名景点和历史名胜”翻译为famous scenic spots and historical sites。