2008年,网上出现一个“哈佛大学图书馆墙上训言”的帖子,随即被四处转载,众多权威报刊也刊登了这篇文章,一些中学还把这20个所谓的“训言”拿来作为英语学习和宣传材料。我们先来看看这二十句警句的英文原版:
1. This moment will nap, you will have a dream; But this moment study,you will interpret a dream.
2. I leave uncultivated today, was precisely yesterday perishes tomorrow which person of the body implored.
3. Thought is already is late, exactly is the earliest time.
4. Not matter of the today will drag tomorrow.
5. Time the study pain is temporary, has not learned the pain is life-long.
6. Studies this matter, lacks the time, but is lacks diligently.
7. Perhaps happiness does not arrange the position, but succeeds must arrange the position.
8. The study certainly is not the life complete. But, since continually life part of - studies also is unable to conquer, what but also can make?
9. Please enjoy the pain which is unable to avoid.
10. Only has compared to the others early, diligently diligently, can feel the successful taste.
11. Nobody can casually succeed, it comes from the thorough self-control and the will.
12. The time is passing.
13. Now drips the saliva, will become tomorrow the tear.
14. The dog equally study, the gentleman equally plays.
15. Today does not walk, will have to run tomorrow.
16. The investment future person will be, will be loyal to the realityperson.
17. The education level represents the income.
18. One day, has not been able again to come.
19. Even if the present, the match does not stop changes the page.
20. Has not been difficult, then does not have attains.
This moment will nap, you will have a dream; But this moment study,you will interpret a dream.
此刻打盹,你将做梦;而此刻学习,你将圆梦。
稍有英文基础的人都应该看得出来,moment怎么能做nap、study这种动词的主语呢?而且,“圆梦”怎么说也应该是“realise your dream”,interpret a dream是“解梦”的意思。这完全是按照中文字面意思硬生生翻译成英文的。即便是我们要将中文翻译成英文,这里也应该添译一个主语:If you take a nap,you will have a dream.
Thought is already is late, exactly is the earliest time.
觉得为时已晚的时候,恰恰是最早的时候。
前半句中莫名其妙地出现了两个is,这绝对是对英语语法一个不小的颠覆。
Perhaps happiness does not arrange the position, but succeeds must arrange the position.
幸福或许不排名次,但成功必排名次。
这句严格说来,没有语法错误,但是有股浓浓的翻译腔,而且还是错误的翻译。如果要按照中文翻译成英文,也应该是:When it comes to happiness,we are all equal;when it comes to success,we are not.和第一句一样,这里必须添译一个主语,happines+arange position这种句式是不成立的,而且后半句莫名其妙用了一个动词succeed做主语,再怎么说也应该写success吧。
One day, has not been able again to come.
一天过完,不会再来。
这句同样,首先,again这里应该放在come后面;其次,不应该用现在完成时。如果我们是从中文翻译成英文,其实都不用纠结字面意思,可以借用英文中的一个谚语来表达:Time and tide wait for no man.时光不等人。或者我们可以说:The past time will not be back again.