《水調歌頭》英文版

最近正忙於寫有關翻譯的論文，資料搜集期間意外發現一篇《水調歌頭》的英文譯本。


《水調歌頭》

"Thinking of You"

明月幾時有，

When will the moon be clear and bright?

把酒問青天。

With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky

不知天上宮闕，今夕是何年。

I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.

我欲乘風歸去,

I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.

又恐瓊樓玉宇，高處不勝寒，

Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.

起舞弄清影，

Dancing with my moon-lit shadow.

何似在人間。

It does not seem like the human world

轉朱閣，

The moon rounds the red mansion.

低綺戶，

Stoops to silk-pad doors.

照無眠。

Shines upon the sleepless .

不應有恨，

Bearing no grudge.

何事長向別時圓。

Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?

人有悲歡離合，

People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart.

月有陰晴圓缺，

The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane.

此事古難全。

This has been going on since the beginning of time.

但願人長久，

May we all be blessed with longevity .

千里共嬋娟。

Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

單是翻譯普通文字已經是件艱辛的任務，翻譯唐詩宋詞更是令人抓狂!!

不但難以譯出詞中的精髓，更容易出現詞不達意、誤譯、直譯的情況。

若蘇軾懂英文，恐怖看到這首英文版的《水調歌頭》也會忍不住說一句︰SHIT !!