第一篇：翻譯大賽 翻譯技巧

I.詞法翻譯

一、對等譯法

在翻譯過程中，我們一般都可以在譯文語言中找到同原文中某個單詞、詞組或成語意義上的對等表達(dá)。因此，對等依法是翻譯中最常用、最重要的翻譯方法。我們在翻譯中必須注意一文中所采用的對等表達(dá)是名副其實的對等表達(dá)。一般說來，漢英兩種語言中單詞的對等率最高，而詞組、成語、言語的對等率就要相對低一些：

單詞：

television 電視 坐 sit 小 small 和 and 當(dāng)然，兩種語言中存在著差異的對等單詞也有不少，例如：從語義上來講，“杯子”并不完全對等于“cup”, 而是對等于“cup +mug + glass +...”

成語：

in deep water 水深火熱

hit the mail on the head 一語道破

出人頭地 be head and shoulders above others 吹毛求疵 pick a hole in somebody ’s coat 攀龍附鳳 worship the rising sun 騎虎難下 hold a wolf by the ears 成語的對等是從3個方面體現(xiàn)出來的，一個是比喻意義，一個是比喻形式，再一個是感情色彩。三者中比喻意義是最重要的，當(dāng)三者發(fā)生矛盾時，我們得保留比喻意義。感情色彩如果不對等，這條成語就肯定不能用。至于比喻形式，能對等則應(yīng)盡量對等，是在對等不了，就應(yīng)當(dāng)機(jī)立斷，大膽放棄。

諺語：

Make hay while the sun shines.趁熱打鐵 There is no smoke without fire 無風(fēng)不起浪 出門一里，不如家里 East and west, home is best 皇天不負(fù)苦心人 Everything comes to him who waits.小巫見大巫 The moon is not seen when the sun shines.說曹操，曹操到 Talk of the devil and he’s sure to appear He who keeps company with a wolf will learn to howl.近朱者赤，近墨者黑。家丑不可外揚(yáng)。It’s dirty bird that fouls her own nest

二、具體譯法

由于兩種語言的差別，我們在翻譯中不得不經(jīng)常使用具體譯法，也就是具體化的翻譯方法。所謂具體依法，就是在翻譯過程中把原文中抽象或者比較抽象的單詞、詞組、成語或者句子用具體或者是比較具體的單詞、詞組、成語或者句子來進(jìn)行翻譯，從而消除或降低語言差別給翻譯帶來的損失，是譯文產(chǎn)生與原文同樣的效果。

transportation 運(yùn)輸? 運(yùn)輸工具 advertisement 廣告?廣告資料 propaganda 宣傳

very timid 非常膽小?膽小如鼠

have not cut off relations completely 沒有徹底斷絕關(guān)系?藕斷絲連 簡言之 in a nutshell 僥幸by the skin of one’s teeth

三、抽象譯法

為了譯文的重忠實與通順，我們往往有必要把原文中帶有具體意義或具體形象的單詞、詞組、成語、或句子進(jìn)行抽象化處理。這種翻譯方法，我們稱之為抽象依法。無論是英譯漢，還是漢譯英，我們都經(jīng)常要用到抽象譯法。

Make fish of one and flesh of another 厚此薄彼 Lick sb’s boots 巴結(jié)

Stick to one’s last 安分守己 Walk on air 得意洋洋 謙虛態(tài)度 modesty 發(fā)展過程 development 無知的表現(xiàn) innocence 雞毛蒜皮 trifling 狗急跳墻 do sth desperate

四、增詞譯法

所謂增詞譯法，就是在原文的基礎(chǔ)上添加必要的單詞、詞組，分句或完整句，從而使得譯文在語法、語言形式上符合一文習(xí)慣和在文化背景、詞語聯(lián)想方面與原文一致起來，使得譯文與原文載內(nèi)容、形式和精神等三方面都對等起來。

After the football match, he’d got an important meeting.在觀看足球比賽之后，它有一個重要會議去參加。（增加動詞）

I had imagined it to be merely a gesture of affection, but it seems it is to smell the lamb and make sure that it is her own.原來我以為這不過是一種親熱的表示，但是現(xiàn)在看來，這是為了聞一聞羊羔的味道，來斷定是不是自己生的。

五、省詞譯法

增詞譯法中的規(guī)律反過來就是省詞譯法的規(guī)律：

He is not well today, but he still comes to class.他今天身體不好，但（他）還是來上課了 這家電視機(jī)真是價廉物美。

This television set is really cheap(in price)and fine(in quality).那位小伙子有點(diǎn)愣頭愣腦的。That young fellow is somewhat rash(in the head).六、合詞譯法

無論是西方作家，還是中國作家，都喜歡連用同義詞以強(qiáng)調(diào)其表達(dá)的意思。西方作家常用的是成對詞，而中國作家常用的是一條前后兩個部分為同一意思的四字成語。既然這些同義詞表達(dá)的是同一個意思，我們就可以把它們合起來翻譯，也就是采用合詞譯法。

You’ll supply financial power, and we’ll supply manpower.Isn’t that fair and square? 你們出錢，我們出任，這難道還不公平嗎？

He is dead and gone.他的確死了。

Her son was wise and clever, but her daughter was silly and foolish.她的兒子非常聰明，可她的女兒卻很笨。She shook and trembled with fear.她嚇得不停地發(fā)抖。

He is a man of culture and learning.他是個很有學(xué)問的人

他決心洗心革面，脫胎換骨。He is determined to turn over a new leaf.七、轉(zhuǎn)型譯法

轉(zhuǎn)型譯法是英譯漢和漢譯英都經(jīng)常要用到的翻譯方法。所謂轉(zhuǎn)型譯法就是在翻譯過程中，根據(jù)譯文語言的習(xí)慣進(jìn)行詞性轉(zhuǎn)換，如：把原文中的名詞轉(zhuǎn)換為動詞，把原文中的副詞轉(zhuǎn)換為介詞，等等。

Vietnamese War is a drain on American resources.越南戰(zhàn)爭不斷地消耗美國的資源。The people are with him.人民擁護(hù)他。

It was a very informative meeting.會上透露了許多信息。

翻譯中的詞性轉(zhuǎn)換存在著一定的規(guī)律，最明顯的一點(diǎn)就是英美國家的人們比較喜歡用名詞和介詞，而漢語里動詞用得比較多一些。因此，英譯漢時，我們經(jīng)常要把英語中的名詞和介詞轉(zhuǎn)換成漢語中的動詞；而在漢譯英時，我們往往要把漢語中的動詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語中的名詞或介詞。詞性轉(zhuǎn)換并不是隨意進(jìn)行的，而是遵循著語言中的客觀規(guī)律。如果我們逆規(guī)律而行，譯文就無法做到通順或地道。如：

My suggestion is that he should quit smoking at once.我建議他立刻戒煙。他酷愛古典音樂。He is an ardent lover of classical music.如果這兩句話分別譯成“我建議他立刻戒煙”和“He is an ardent lover of classical music”, 都符合各自譯文的語法，按一般要求也算可以了，但是比起前面的譯文來就顯得不夠地道，在文采上要遜色得多。

八、褒貶譯法： 詞匯按照語法中的詞性可分成名詞、代詞、動詞、形容詞、副詞、介詞和嘆詞等；詞匯按照感情色彩可分成褒義、貶已和中性。在翻譯過程中，詞匯的詞性并不是原封不動地從原文搬到譯文，而是根據(jù)譯文的語言習(xí)慣進(jìn)行；詞匯感情色彩的翻譯一般應(yīng)嚴(yán)格按照原文的精神來進(jìn)行，而不是像詞匯的詞性翻譯那樣受譯文的支配，也就是說，褒義詞必須翻譯成褒義詞，貶義詞必須翻譯成貶義詞，中性詞也應(yīng)翻譯成中性詞。

The boy is appreciated by all his teachers for his carefulness in his homework.這個男孩因功課做的仔細(xì)認(rèn)真而受到所有老師的贊賞。

In fact, it is his meticulousness that is preventing him from making any progress in his research work.。事實上，正是因為它的謹(jǐn)小慎微，他的研究工作得不到任何進(jìn)展。

這些死心塌地的納粹分子為他們的第三帝國效命。These diehard Nazis went all out to serve their Third Reich.他們忠心耿耿地報效與自己的祖國和人民。They serve their motherland and people with loyalty and devotion.II．句法翻譯

英語和漢語在于法結(jié)構(gòu)上差異很大，在翻譯過程中，需要經(jīng)常更換原文詞語的前后順序。翻譯是根據(jù)譯文的語言習(xí)慣，對原文的詞序進(jìn)行調(diào)整，是譯文做到最大程度上的通順，這就是換序譯法。若照搬原文的詞序，不顧譯文語言的習(xí)慣，這樣的翻譯繪滑稽可笑，毫無通順可言，因而譯文也不信，違反翻譯的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。翻譯世紀(jì)要避免生硬的死譯，也要避免不顧原文的現(xiàn)象。

一、換序翻譯

英語和漢語在于法結(jié)構(gòu)上差異很大，在翻譯過程中，需要經(jīng)常更換原文詞語的前后順序。翻譯是根據(jù)譯文的語言習(xí)慣，對原文的詞序進(jìn)行調(diào)整，是譯文做到最大程度上的通順，這就是換序譯法。若照搬原文的詞序，不顧譯文語言的習(xí)慣，這樣的翻譯繪滑稽可笑，毫無通順可言，因而譯文也不信，違反翻譯的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。翻譯世紀(jì)要避免生硬的死譯，也要避免不顧原文的現(xiàn)象。

1．Even the wild animals of his homeland, it seemed to Kunta, had more dignity than these creatures.(Alex Haley, Roots)昆他覺得，即使他家鄉(xiāng)的野獸也比這群人自尊自重。（插入語換序）。

2．From the moment they set foot on the territory of their motherland, they were warmly received by their compatriots.他們從走上祖國土地的時刻起，就受到同胞們熱情接待。（定語從句換序）

3．Cheerful, efficient and warm-hearted, they will do everything to make your journey smooth and comfortable.他們樂觀、能干、熱情，總是想方設(shè)法使你一路上順利舒適。（狀語易位，并轉(zhuǎn)變?yōu)橹^語）。4．Don't hesitate to come when you need help.你們什么時候需要我，只管來找我。（狀語從句換序）。

二、斷句譯法

所謂斷句以法指的是： 在翻譯中把一些長句斷開來翻譯。在英語句子中，介詞短語和動詞不定式的應(yīng)用是很廣泛的，翻譯是要根據(jù)漢語的習(xí)慣，按照邏輯關(guān)系分譯成幾個句子。漢譯英時，也會遇到同樣的長句，要拆開來譯。1．That question is too hard for me to answer.那個問題太難了，我回答不了。（分譯動詞不定式。）2．He is too ill to have been anywhere but in bed.他并得太厲害，哪兒也去不了，只能呆在床上。（分譯動詞不定式和介詞短語。）

3．Spring has so much more than speech in its unfolding flowers and leaves, and the coursing of its streams, and in its sweet restless seeking!（John Galsworthy, The apple tree.）春花怒放，春水奔流，無限春光，爭奇斗艷，語言已不足以盡述奇妙。（介詞短語分譯）。

英漢語在句型和排列上各有特點(diǎn)。英語中常用連詞、介詞、分詞短語和由關(guān)系代詞、關(guān)系副詞引出的各種從句組成長句，有時甚至一段由一句組成。英語長句雖然結(jié)構(gòu)復(fù)雜，但描寫細(xì)致，邏輯嚴(yán)密。漢語運(yùn)用動詞最廣泛。再表示一些復(fù)雜的概念時，漢語大都分成若干簡短的句子，逐點(diǎn)交待，層層鋪開，有主有次，有先有后，眉目清楚，詞句簡練。因此，英譯漢時，必須抓住全文的中心思想，區(qū)別主次，根據(jù)時間順序和邏輯關(guān)系，重新按漢語習(xí)慣加以組合，以確切表示原，不要拘泥原文的形式，使譯文歐化。

1、順譯法。英漢句之結(jié)構(gòu)的順序相同，層次分明，翻譯是可以順序推進(jìn)。如：

In Africa I met a boy①, who was crying as if his heart would break② and said, when I spoke to him, that he was hungry because③ he had had no food for two days.④

在非洲，我遇到一個小孩，她哭的傷心極了，我問他時，他說他餓了，兩天沒有吃飯了。（這個英語句子的敘述層詞合漢語相同，所以按原文的順序，依次譯出。）

So a system of reservoir is being dug to store water that can be run down to crops after it is warmed by the sun.因此修筑了一個水庫系統(tǒng)，先讓水儲存在水庫中，待太陽曬熱后，再灌到田里去。

2、逆譯法。英漢語的敘述層次相反，采用逆譯法。

There are many wonderful stories to tell about the places I① visited② and the people I met③.我訪問了一些地方，遇到了不少人，要談起來，奇妙的事可多著呢。He became deaf at five after an attack of typhoid fever.他五歲時侯，生了一場傷寒病，變成了籠子。

3、變序法。原句構(gòu)復(fù)雜，可按漢語由近及遠(yuǎn)的順序從中斷句，層層展開，最后畫龍點(diǎn)睛，突出主題。

An “alloy” steel is one which, in addition to the contents of carbon, sulfur and prosperous, contains more than 1 percent of manganese, or more than 0.3 per cent silicon, or some other elements in amounts not encountered in carbon steels.如果一種鋼除含有碳、硫、磷以外，黃含有1%多的錳，或0.3%多的硅，或其他碳素鋼不包含的其它元素，那么這種鋼就是“合金鋼”。

4、主次分譯法。把此要成分甩開。

A quarter of century ago the General Assembly and the Security Council symbolized，especially for the small countries，the supreme guarantee of a new international order.二十五年前，聯(lián)合國大會和安全理事會象征著以和平與正義為基礎(chǔ)的國際新秩序的最高保證。對小國來說，尤其如此。

5、緊縮法。

Presently the baronet plunged a fork into saucepan on the fire, and withdrew from the pot a piece of tripe and an onion, which he divided into pretty equal potions, and of which he partook with Mrs.Tinker.從男爵把爐叉深入爐火上的平底鍋里，叉出一片牛肚和一個洋蔥分成差不多大小的兩份，和廷格太太各吃一份。

6、標(biāo)點(diǎn)符號法。

In 1917 he(Einstein)completed a paper of considerable import for all of physics: it not only laid down the basic principle of the laser some 40 years before the first such device was made but, more broadly, also advanced quantum theory.一九一七年，他（愛因斯坦）完成了一篇對物理學(xué)各部門都頗為重要的論文。它不但奠定了激光理論的基礎(chǔ)（四十多年之后才制造出第一個激光裝置），而且在更廣的意義上說，還發(fā)展了量子理論。

7．加詞法。

We must not forget Lenin's statement that as regards our work of......我們不能忘記列寧的話。他說，......總之，長句的翻譯： 找出動詞，然后排隊。1．按時間順序排隊

2．按邏輯順序排隊，（因果）3．按空間順序排隊，（方位）。

三、轉(zhuǎn)句譯法。

英語里用作狀語或定語的詞組，或名詞詞組。經(jīng)常包含有豐富的語義，有時要把這些成分連同句子的其他成分一起翻譯成地道的漢語時有困難。這時不得不把這個詞組譯成漢語的句子。對這些句子采用分譯的方法，可以是譯文簡潔明確，層次分明，合乎漢語規(guī)范。

1． Through his life, Benjamin Franklin continued his education, learning from human contacts as well as from books.2.I tried vainly to put the piece together.3.The computer can give Mary the right lesson for her: neither too fast nor too slow.四、合句譯法

一般說來,英語句子要比漢語的句子長, 信息量也更大, 因此,漢譯英時有必要也有可能把兩個或兩個以上的漢語句子翻譯成一個英語句子。另外，比較口語化的英語句子也比較短，英譯漢時也可采用合句譯法。(一)、把兩個或兩個以上的簡單句合譯成一個漢語單句或復(fù)句

當(dāng)英語中兩個或兩個以上的簡單句關(guān)系密切、意義貫通時，可不限于原文的表層結(jié)構(gòu)，將他們合譯成一個漢語單句或復(fù)句，意義同樣完整，還可避免不必要的重復(fù)。

1.The young man was very miserable.He had no money about him.All his savings had been stolen.(這個年輕人很慘，已落到生物分文的地步，因為他所有的積蓄都被盜)2． Darkness fell.An explosion shook the earth.It did not shake his will to go to the front.(夜幕降臨時，一聲爆炸震動了大地，可并沒有動搖他上前線的決心。)3． That day, the President had an interview with her father.Her father was going to the moon by space shuttle.(那一天，總統(tǒng)會見了她父親，因為她的父親即將乘航天飛機(jī)去登月。

4． She is very busy at home.She had to take care of the children and do the kitchen work.(二)、把英語中的復(fù)合句譯成一個漢語單句

英漢兩種語言句子結(jié)構(gòu)不完全相同，有時要套用原文的句式往往是行不通的。當(dāng)原文句子的表層結(jié)構(gòu)與漢語的表達(dá)方式不一樣時，需要進(jìn)行句子結(jié)構(gòu)的調(diào)整，將原文中的復(fù)合句譯成一個漢語單句可以使譯文緊湊、簡練、語氣連貫。1.If we do a thing, we should do it well.(我們要干就要干好)。2． The time was 10:30, and traffic on the street was light.3.Americans have a great range of customs and habits that at first may seem puzzling to a visitor.(美國有許多風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣在陌生人看來是頗為費(fèi)解的。)4． Parents love their children and the love is perfect.(父母對子女的愛是無微不至的。)

五、縮句譯法

根據(jù)原文的邏輯關(guān)系和譯文的語言習(xí)慣，把原文中的一個句子緊縮成譯文中另一個句子的組成部分。一般情況下，把原文中上下文中相對次要的句子緊縮成相對主要的句子的組成部分，大多數(shù)緊縮成狀語、定語、同位語乃至主語。

六、轉(zhuǎn)態(tài)譯法

所謂轉(zhuǎn)態(tài)譯法是指在翻譯中把被動翻成主動或把主動翻成被動。

（一）、被動句翻譯成主動句 1．按原來順序已成主動句

（1）The novel A Dream of Red Mansion has been translated into many foreign languages.小說紅樓夢已譯成許多外國文字.（2）During the world cup the streets were filled with football fans.世界杯期間,接上擠滿了球迷.2．動作發(fā)出者譯成主語

(1).Large quantities of fuel are used by modern industry.(2).Your car was towed away by a towing truck from Lewis Company.3．原文種某一部分譯成主語

(1).The compass was invented in China four thousand years ago.(2).My brother was taught shorthand by Mr.Cotton.4．增加邏輯主語

(1).She hadn't been told Bette's other name, or she'd forgotten it.人家沒有告訴她貝蒂姓什么，要不然也許是她忘了。

(2).If you are asked personal questions you need not to answer them.(二).被動句翻譯成漢語的判斷句。

1．The poetry was chanted to the accompaniment of the lyre.詩歌吟唱試用七弦琴伴奏的。

2．The credit system in America was first adopted by Harvard University in 1872.美國的學(xué)分制是1872年在哈佛大學(xué)首先實行的。

（三）、被動句譯成漢語的無主句

1．In many countries, authority is seldom, if ever, questioned.在很多國家，很少向權(quán)威提出質(zhì)疑。2．Wrong must be righted when they are discovered.發(fā)現(xiàn)了錯誤一定要糾正。

（四）、被動句譯成被動句。1．用“被、受、得”等字

(1).I hope that the resolution of the General Assembly will at last be respected by member states and by Israel in particular.我希望大會的各項決議終將得到各會員國，尤其是以色列的尊重。(2).I was possessed by the very novelty of what I did.我被自己所干的事的新鮮勁迷住了。2．用“由、讓”等字

(1).Two-thirds of the area are covered with immense forests of pine, spruce and birch.面積的三分之二由廣闊的松林、云杉林和白樺林所覆蓋。

（2）。The cyclist was knocked down by a truck.騎車人讓一輛卡車撞倒了。3．用“予以、加以”等字

(1).The design will be examined by a special committee.這項設(shè)計將由一個委員會予以審查。(2).Problems should be resolved in good time.有問題要及時加以解決。

七、正反譯法

由于語言習(xí)慣的不同，英漢兩種語言在正反說表達(dá)時也有差異。根據(jù)譯文語言的表達(dá)習(xí)慣，把正面表達(dá)的原文從反面已成譯文，反之亦然，這樣一種翻譯技巧稱之為正反譯法。例子見p102.八、否定句的譯法

（一）、全部否定。英語中，全部否定是通過一些否定詞來表達(dá)的。如：no, none, not never, nobody, nothing, nowhere, neither...nor.(1).Nowadays it is not difficult to go abroad.(2).The boy was nowhere to be found.(二)、部分否定

當(dāng)英語中的某些不定代詞如all,both, every, each , 某些副詞如often,always 和否定詞連用時，表示部分否定。（1）.All the novelist's detective cases, however, were not successful.（2）.Both the instruments are not precision ones.(三)、雙重否定

漢譯時可以翻譯成肯定。

（1）.Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.有志者事竟成。（2）.There is not any advantage without disadvantage.有一利必有一弊。（3）.He cannot but agree.他不得不同意。

（4）.There is no story without coincidence.│無巧不成書。

（四）、形式否定，意義肯定。

1．“Nothing”.He is five foot nothing.他整整五英尺。

2．“cannot be +too+adj.”意為“怎么......也不過分”?！霸?.....越好” 如： i.you cannot be too careful.你越仔細(xì)越好。

ii.This point cannot be overemphasized.這一點(diǎn)應(yīng)該特別強(qiáng)調(diào)。

（五）、表示否定的特殊結(jié)構(gòu)、短語和詞匯。

1．動詞如：refuse,wonder, fail 等可意譯成漢語否定詞。a)The engine failed to start.b)I wonder if I can go with you.c)The drain just refused to work.2.有些介詞如：above, beyond, out of;形容詞如：last, short(of), far from;副詞：ill;連詞：before等，亦有否定意義，可譯成漢語的否定詞。

1．It is beyond his power to sign the contract.2．He would be the last man to do the job.3．This question id far from difficult.4．We are short of hands at present.5．Mr.Green is out of town this week.6．He was ill treated in hospital.7．I would die before i surrender.8．He is anything but modest.9．We tried in vain to measure the voltage.3.“no more than ”, “no less than ”意為“只......” she is no less active than she used to be.她跟從前一樣活躍。

六、否定轉(zhuǎn)移

1．“no” 與謂語動詞的肯定式

（1）At no time and under no circumstance will China be the first to use nuclear weapons.中國在任何時候任何情況下，都不首先使用核武器。

（2）A transformer provides no power of its own.2．注意“no”“not”都有否定的意義，但在句子中意義不一樣。(1).He is not a doctor.他不是醫(yī)生。He is no doctor.他根本不是醫(yī)生。（2）.It is not a joke.這不是笑話。It is no joke.這絕對不是開玩笑的事。

3．Think, suppose, believe 等的否定式與that 從句。(1).I don't think it is good to marry early.(2).I don't suppose they will arrive on time.

第二篇：翻譯大賽

“第七屆全國口譯大賽（英語）”公告

各參賽選手：

為了響應(yīng)國家“一帶一路”倡議，促進(jìn)翻譯學(xué)科建設(shè)和語言服務(wù)行業(yè)的繁榮與發(fā)展、培養(yǎng)高素質(zhì)語言服務(wù)人才、提升新時期對外中國話語能力，由中國外文局和全國學(xué)聯(lián)指導(dǎo)，中國翻譯協(xié)會將于2018年3月至6月，舉辦第七屆全國口譯大賽（英語）（以下簡稱“大賽”），組委會秘書處設(shè)在中國譯協(xié)語言服務(wù)行業(yè)創(chuàng)業(yè)創(chuàng)新（LSCAT）中心。

全國口譯大賽以其自始至終的權(quán)威性、公正性、媒體透明度和公信力承載著各方關(guān)注, 同時也吸引了來自全國各地高校的大批英語愛好者。大賽將秉承優(yōu)良傳統(tǒng)，嚴(yán)格標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，從職業(yè)素養(yǎng)、技巧運(yùn)用、信息傳達(dá)等多方面考察參賽選手的綜合水平，選拔優(yōu)秀選手的同時讓全社會了解口譯行業(yè)?？谧g是外語應(yīng)用領(lǐng)域最具挑戰(zhàn)性的技能之一, 口譯大賽則對選手提出了極高的要求, 不僅是英語應(yīng)用能力的表現(xiàn), 同時也是口譯技巧和應(yīng)變能力的提升, 因此口譯大賽具有很強(qiáng)的學(xué)術(shù)性、觀賞性和挑戰(zhàn)性。

本次大賽面向以漢語和英語為源語言或目標(biāo)語言的國內(nèi)外口譯學(xué)習(xí)者及口譯工作者，并歡迎外籍選手和港澳臺選手組隊參加。大賽采取初賽、復(fù)賽、大區(qū)賽、全國總決賽四級賽制，分別在2018年3月下旬、4月下旬、5月下旬和6月舉行。大賽復(fù)賽以上將產(chǎn)生一、二、三等獎及特別獎，大賽還設(shè)最佳組織獎、優(yōu)秀指導(dǎo)教師獎等其他獎項，大賽組委會將向獲獎選手頒發(fā)榮譽(yù)證書、獎品及獎杯?！暗谄邔萌珖谧g大賽（英語）”山東賽區(qū)的復(fù)賽定于4月22日（周日）在濟(jì)南市歷下區(qū)紅尚坊三樓舉行，各位選手務(wù)必于4月21日下午2 點(diǎn)到5點(diǎn)到比賽場地報到。報到時交款、領(lǐng)取發(fā)票、抽簽決定比賽順序，并領(lǐng)取號碼牌。

山東省翻譯協(xié)會 2018年4月8日

第三篇：翻譯大賽

上天堂的死亡恐懼

每個人都希望上天堂，但沒人愿意死。伊利亞被一輛烈火熊熊的戰(zhàn)車送到天堂，但是他也經(jīng)歷了死亡。即使是耶穌和他的母親的肉體和靈魂在被帶入天堂之前，他們都要先經(jīng)歷死亡。顯然，我們這些人將會在死之后才能得到最終的獎勵。

在避免死亡這個問題上，大部分人花費(fèi)了大量的時間。一個朋友已經(jīng)和癌癥抗?fàn)幜肆辍Ｋ罱鼪Q定——受夠了。再也不會有沒完沒了的化療和由此產(chǎn)生的痛苦了。有一扇面向體面的生活質(zhì)量的窗，然后她知道她將會死，她的家人正在抗拒這件事情，并且一直在抗拒——已經(jīng)好幾年了。她們不愿意面對死亡，如果這意味著她要遭受更長時間的折磨，這是他們準(zhǔn)備讓她付出的代價。如果你覺得為子女做出安排是謹(jǐn)慎的，那么那些對子女沒有遺囑和計劃的家長會認(rèn)為你是病態(tài)的。當(dāng)某個年輕人莫名其妙的出現(xiàn)在訃告上時，中年人會表示驚訝。許多生活富足的年邁老人，不愿意在生命的盡頭在情感和精神方面做一些有利于心理健康的必要的準(zhǔn)備工作。

應(yīng)對死亡只是生命中的一部分。輕松和幸福是天堂在人間淡淡的投影，和一些讓人痛苦的細(xì)節(jié)是沖突的，比如努力和犧牲。成功人士應(yīng)對死亡而承受的資源浪費(fèi)，茍活和普遍的痛苦都是出于相同愿望的另一種不道德的表現(xiàn)：沒有痛苦的陶醉。當(dāng)那時還是總統(tǒng)候選人的奧巴馬建議水管工喬的勞動成果應(yīng)該像遍布土司上的橙果醬一樣分散給大家時，大家應(yīng)該都倒抽了一口氣，并且都足以造成一個全國的真空效應(yīng)了。至少奧巴馬豪爽的表達(dá)了他的意圖；許多其他人有著相同的觀念，但是既沒有武器也沒有執(zhí)行它的所需的人員。人本身就是要尋求快感的。我們的神經(jīng)遞質(zhì)之一，多巴胺，與驚險刺激有著尤為親密的關(guān)系。多巴胺是主管墜入愛河，贏得賭博和一般興奮的部分電化學(xué)物質(zhì)。多巴胺系統(tǒng)的發(fā)展貫穿整個生命過程。小孩子會經(jīng)歷無數(shù)次的情感迸發(fā)——一切都是美好的！雪！學(xué)校!一個大雪天！大腦未受藥物污染的成年人是在這方面的幾乎沒有緩和的兒童版本：日落！日出！性！牛排!蛋糕！然而，青少年們經(jīng)歷了一個，籠統(tǒng)的說，就是要么是沮喪低落要么是靜脈注射的階段：他們所經(jīng)歷的任何事情都會不是無趣，很無趣，非常非常無趣就是一個完全的瘋狂。加上大腦相關(guān)職能的發(fā)展變化，組成了一個可靠的青年的臭名昭著的愚蠢的來源。亞非特現(xiàn)象不是青少年特有的：多巴胺受體屬于一些比較知名的神經(jīng)遞質(zhì)受體，而這些神經(jīng)遞質(zhì)受體可以被一些例如利他林，其他苯丙胺類興奮劑和可卡因這類興奮劑消耗殆盡。也許，許多吸毒者遭受的真正的化學(xué)怠倦是由神經(jīng)過度疲勞和神經(jīng)遞質(zhì)耗竭引起的。然而，最終的結(jié)果就是造成了這樣一個基本問題：渴望興奮而又得不到滿足。

從字面上來說，做出改變需要大腦重新組織神經(jīng)。學(xué)習(xí)可能存在于某件單一的事件上，但是一般來說神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)發(fā)育的硬線是比較慢的。如果想要做出的改變會挑釁尋求享樂的多巴胺系統(tǒng)亂發(fā)脾氣，我們就要謹(jǐn)慎地去安排路障，挫折和那些干擾跟我們親近的東西了。這是一個必要的策略，因為腦生理學(xué)和腦化學(xué)的存在就是來反抗變化的，盡管這些改變對我們是有好處的。

最近一個熟人強(qiáng)調(diào)說是時候正確地面對自己的健康問題了。他不是反常：他幻想自己太忙了而不能正常地吃飯，盡管沒有忙到大部分晚上都沒有時間出去吃飯的地步。一個正常的作息證明他缺少持續(xù)鍛煉的時間等等。這樣默默地承擔(dān)埋下了麻煩的種子。首先是表面上的認(rèn)知，認(rèn)為做出選擇是一些靜態(tài)的事情：在39，49，60和75中做出最好的選擇39。他似乎渾然不知他要做出選擇的行為總是和許多變數(shù)相聯(lián)系的。哪些朋友會總是以下班后外出吃飯或喝幾瓶啤酒為中心？如果他花一個小時在健身房，他將錯過哪些日常的會話節(jié)目?如果他勻出時間去做他新的事情時，究竟是情人，小貓還是雇主會覺得被欺騙了呢？生活的流動性和讓心里減震器很有用的挑戰(zhàn)使他措手不及。最后，一個高品位的心里減震器——承認(rèn)激動地情緒有時候并不是鋪天蓋地的，而只是一些微不足道的有趣的信息——也找不到了。致力于一個鍛煉計劃不會造成從床上滾下來在雨夾雪中奔跑的感覺。在某種程度上來說，在大腦豐富的活動中，那種感覺一定只比一只嗡嗡的蚊子多一點(diǎn)。

他設(shè)想從頭開始，去買菜再做新鮮的飯菜，但沒有應(yīng)付微妙細(xì)節(jié)的辦法，并且在這個過程中的變化將會比原來的更難以忍受。他要學(xué)習(xí)如何列出一個長久的購物清單，否則他就會幾乎每天都要去購物了。后者和外出吃飯一樣是個時間殺手。如果不是在一個不論是外賣還是一碗槽底的粥都是最好的選擇的晚上，烹飪聽起來會是不錯的，因為白天已經(jīng)是地獄般的一天，上周末的計劃和周三晚上要加班三小時的工作沖突了。然后就是胃口上的調(diào)整：一個烤雞胸肉和蔬菜沙拉不如一個漢堡和薯條吃得飽。饑餓或吃不飽將會是他的新“朋友”之一。這樣很好，他將會需要新“朋友”。他其他的“朋友”將會埋怨他從來不出現(xiàn)；他們將會籌劃一些沒有他參與的活動;最后，他將不得不在鍛煉和社交圈子之間做出選擇。

如果不接受死亡，我們就不能體驗真實的生活。分娩很痛苦；有意義的友誼需要努力經(jīng)營；一個精神富足的生活也需要時間去創(chuàng)造。我們不愿意面對必然的事物：痛苦伴隨著幸福。每個人都希望去天堂，但沒人愿意死。根據(jù)《今日美國》的《美國思維主編》，多洛雷斯·普特博是佛羅里達(dá)州拉哥島上的私人心理治療師。

第四篇：翻譯大賽

Part I Passage Translation(60％)

如何才不必去當(dāng)陪審員

郵差時常送來好消息或壞消息。對于許多居住在洛杉磯的人來說，排在“壞消息”榜首就是陪審員的傳票。這份文件要求你必須以郵件或電話回復(fù)參與陪審工作。許多人覺得陪審團(tuán)義務(wù)實在是件乏味，避之不及的煩瑣事情。事實上，法院工作人員說他們最常聽到的問題是：干嘛要我陪審?正式的回答是： 陪審是每個合格公民必須承擔(dān)的義務(wù)。

如果你是一位公民，看得懂、聽得懂英語，如果年滿18歲，而且與當(dāng)事人無干系，你就有資格當(dāng)陪審員。如果你不回應(yīng)傳票，可能會被罰款高達(dá)1 500美元。陪審團(tuán)審理工作可能持續(xù)一天或一個月。如果你在政府里工作，這就不成問題，因為政府會因你參與陪審而照發(fā)工資給你。但是，如果你是私營業(yè)主，那段時間你可能失去正常的收入。取而代之的是，你陪審一天15美元。這就是人們。盡可能躲避參與陪審的另一個原因。

杰克昨天收到這樣的壞消息。盡管他已退休，整天坐著看重播的老電影，他還是告訴他的妻子波莉說他不打算去當(dāng)陪審員。他討厭陪審工作，他不想讓法院干擾他的退休生活。

波莉既好笑又好氣地問道“你認(rèn)為你怎樣才能擺脫這件事情呢?”。“你打算說你已經(jīng)死了嗎?或者打算告訴他們你已經(jīng)移居國外?”

“不，這兩個問題牽涉太繁瑣的文件啦。我有更好的主意。找個醫(yī)學(xué)借口。傳票上說如果身有殘疾，可以免責(zé)?！?/p>

“你有什么毛病呢?腰痛使你坐不了椅子整天看重播的電視嗎?” “我有比這更好的借口。我有屁。放屁會惱怒其他陪審員和在法庭上的其他人。他們不得不打開的所有窗口，或戴上防毒面具?！?“但問題是你怎么放屁呢?”

“我知道怎樣做。上法院的那天早上我會吃許多花生和水果。當(dāng)他們聞到我的屁時，就會告訴我回家呆著。”

“這真是一個絕妙的主意!”波莉眼珠一轉(zhuǎn)說道，心想他至少離開這個家一天。Part II

Sentence Translation(40％)

1．As a teacher, your prime task is to master the skills of clearly and a accurately expressing yourself, and properly citing examples to illustrate your ideas． 2．The past decade has seen fast development in China and the living standard of the people has been remarkably improved 0 Now even Cars have become daily commodities for the people． 3．There is an old saying that“Where there is a will．there is a way”．But I believe nowadays the old saying should be changed into“Where there is intelligence，there is a way”．

4．After two months of treatment，the patient show marked signs of improvement，and he may probably be discharged in three weeks．

5．Today?s success is the results of the accumulation of yesterday, and the success of tomorrow depends on the hard work of today．However, the code to success is wholehearted work and good

attitude to work．

2011翻譯大賽樣題

發(fā)送者:libo 時間: 2012-10-18 15:34 Part 1 Passage translation(60%)Direction: Translate the following passage into Chinese How to Get out of Jury Duty The mailman delivers good news and bad news.Topping the “bad news” list for many people who live in Los Angeles is a jury summons.This document tells you that you must respond by mail or phone for possible service on a jury.Many people feel that jury duty is a boring chore and would prefer not doing it.In fact, court clerks say that the most common question they hear is: Why do I have to serve? The official response is: Jury duty is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share.If you are a citizen, if you can read and understand English, if you?re over 18 years old, and if you?re not a felon, you are eligible for jury duty.If you ignore the summons, you might be fined up to $1,500.A jury trial might last one day or one month.If you work for the government, this is no problem, because the government will pay you your regular salary while you are on jury duty.However, if you are self-employed, you lose your regular income for that time period.Instead of your regular income, you get $15 a DAY for sitting on a jury.This is another reason people try to avoid jury duty.Jack got the bad news yesterday.Even though he was retired and sat around all day watching reruns of old movies, he told his wife Polly he wasn?t going to be a juror.He hated jury duty and he was not going to let the courts interfere with his retirement.“So how do you think you are going to get out of it?” Polly asked, both amused and irritated.“Are you going to claim that you?re dead? Or are you going to tell them you?ve moved out of the country?”

“No, both of those involve too much paperwork.I?ve got a better idea.It?s a medical excuse.It says here that if you have a physical disability, you can be dismissed.”

“What?s your disability? Your 'bad back' doesn't allow you to sit in a chair watching reruns all day?”

“No.Something better than that.I?ve got gas.It?ll offend the other jurors and everyone else in the courtroom.They?ll have to open all the windows or issue gas masks.”

“But there?s one problem.You don?t have gas.”

“But I know how to create it.I?ll eat a lot of peanuts and fruit the morning that I go to court.As soon as they get a whiff of my ?problem,? they?ll tell me to go home and stay home.”

“That?s a brilliant idea!” Polly said, as she rolled her eyes.At least it would get him out of the house for one day, she thought.Part 2 Sentence translation(40%)Translate the following sentences into English(8% each)1.作為教師，你的第一要務(wù)就是掌握清晰、準(zhǔn)確表達(dá)自己的能力和引用恰當(dāng)?shù)氖吕齺斫忉屇愕南敕ā?/p>

2.過去十年中國進(jìn)入一個經(jīng)濟(jì)高速發(fā)展時期，人民的生活水平得到大幅度提高，以致小汽車也成了日常消費(fèi)品。

3.有句老話叫“有志者事竟成”，但我認(rèn)為這句老話現(xiàn)在應(yīng)該改成“有智者事竟成”。

4.歷經(jīng)兩個月的治療后，病人有了明顯的好轉(zhuǎn)跡象，或許三周后可以出院了。

5.今天的成功是昨天積累的結(jié)果，明天的成功取決于今天的努力，而專心的工作與良好的態(tài)度是成功的密碼。

第五篇：翻譯大賽

第四屆“春芽杯”英語翻譯大賽

漢譯英

No matter what your reaction is – gloat, anguish or indifference, we have to confront a proposition: Academics are having devaluation.It depends on you to interpret the word ―devaluation‖.If it means applied sciences are pushed to the foreground and that more academically respectable research on basic theory is not appreciated, and that literature，history，philosophy, and other ancient disciplines are even snubbed, the phenomenon should cause concern;If it means that with the impact of commodity economy and the low pay to the intellectuals, scholars are not able to devote their energy to study, but to the ―self-help production projects‖, at least this is not a good omen;But if it means academic research cannot receive public concerns any longer, and that there is no longer the exciting scene that ―the whole nation rejoices for the birth of an outstanding work‖, I think it is normal, neither pleasant nor depressing.Academic research is ―a lonely cause‖ and does not have much profit to be reaped.In the past few years because of the particular political and cultural environment, it is easy to publish books, to set the world on fire and to get hollow reputation.Academics seem to become ―Vanity Fair‖ all at once, but now it is back to ―a different post‖.Students who missed the opportunity suffer from this and what they can do is only to hark back to the fortunes of their predecessors.―On the Transitional Age‖，a well-known work of Liang Qichao, involves that the transitional age is likely to produce heroes – political ones, and of course, academic ones.May 4 period can produce heroes and so does the past few years.But now it is difficult for a person even to ―set the pace for a short time‖.Heroes seem to be disappeared.Without heroes, a time cannot necessarily lack high academic achievements, only ones in lack of drama.Academic revolution times seem no longer to cry and roar excitingly all the way to advance.The following should be the normal building with little poetry and more difficulties.It is undoubtedly very frustrating for a hot-blooded youth.No matter he has been in the limelight in the past few years or has not got up the stages.Despite the depression, it is necessary to adjust one’s mentality, even scholar approaches and research methods.It is like in a new semester, primary school students have to get minds off from running wild in the past holidays.Certainly some people ―have long since known this would happen‖ and never ―run wild‖ before.But it is not a feather in their caps.I am always staying at a respectable distance from ―pure scholars‖ who do not have any utilitarianism, any vanity, any wildness or any ecstasies.Sometimes I even ―measure the stature of great men by the yardstick of small men‖, and think they put on a show of calmness because of lacking literary talent, or maybe they just scorn sour grapes out of finding fault.I admire people who both can ―run wild‖ and ―march in goose steps‖.There is a time to ―run wild‖ and a time to ―march in goose steps‖ for them.They knocked spots off one batch of person when ―running wild‖ before and will knock spots off another batch when ―marching goose steps‖ now.Reading and learning are not easy.In the great poem-monk Su Manshu’s novels, there is often an awkward situation that the hero is deprived of the choosing ability, in front of an enthusiastic, persistent, bright and courageous westernized woman and a refined, elegant, gentle and subtle, oriental woman, and finally at the edge of a cliff he has to drop everything and converts to Buddhism.This kind of theme pattern is reproduced constantly by modern writers’ pens.Simply the westernized women got the upper hand in the May 4 period, while the oriental women did in the 40s.Though the writers have given a clear answer, more often than not, the choice is forced by time.In the depth of their hearts, probably just like Su Manshu, they waver between two types of women, two kinds of living ideals, two different attitudes, or ―Poetry and Prose‖ – a term borrowed from Mao Dun.―No heroes‖, ―lacking drama‖, ―marching in goose steps‖, and ―the normal building‖ are all doubtless signs of the prose time.Perhaps we have to make a ―beautiful and desolated‖ gesture, to bid farewell to ―poetry‖ and head for ―prose‖.I hope I can compose another article with the reserved title – biding farewell to ―prose‖ and heading for ―poetry‖.Even though it may be difficult to bring that good article to fruition for a short time, we might as well keep or create some poetry for the prose time, in case ―the lonely cause‖ should become too lonely and ―the prose time‖ should be over prosaic.漢譯英原文

幸災(zāi)樂禍也好，呼天搶地也好，無動于衷也好，人們都不能不正視這一命題：學(xué)術(shù)正在貶值。

就看你怎么理解這“貶值”兩個字。如果這指的是應(yīng)用學(xué)科被推到前景，而學(xué)術(shù)性更強(qiáng)的基礎(chǔ)理論研究不受重視，跟經(jīng)濟(jì)建設(shè)沒直接聯(lián)系的文史哲等古老學(xué)科甚至受到冷淡，這的確很可憂慮；如果這指的是商品經(jīng)濟(jì)的沖擊以及知識分子待遇的低下，以致學(xué)者不能安心治學(xué)，而必須盤算如何“生產(chǎn)自救”，這起碼也不是什么好兆頭；但如果指的是學(xué)術(shù)研究不再受到公眾的關(guān)注，不再有“雄文一出舉國歡騰”那種激動人心的場面，那我倒覺得很正常，既不可喜，亦不可悲。

學(xué)術(shù)研究本來就是“寂寞的事業(yè)”，沒多少油水好撈的。前些年由于特殊的政治環(huán)境和文化氛圍，出書容易，驚世駭俗容易，濫得虛名也容易。一時間學(xué)術(shù)界似乎也成了“名利場”。如今又回到了“冷板凳”，這可就苦了那些沒趕上趟的莘莘學(xué)子，只能“遙想前輩風(fēng)流”了。

梁啟超有篇名文《過渡時代論》，其中談到過渡時代容易出英雄。出政治上的英雄，當(dāng)然也出學(xué)術(shù)上的英雄。“五四”時代能出英雄，前幾年也能出英雄，如今則連“各領(lǐng)風(fēng)騷三五天”都不容易，英雄似乎消失了。沒有英雄的時代，未必學(xué)術(shù)成就不高，只不過缺乏戲劇性罷了。

激動人心的吶喊著呼嘯著前進(jìn)的學(xué)術(shù)變革時代，似乎已經(jīng)過去了；接下來的，該是沒有多少詩意而又更加艱辛的常規(guī)建設(shè)了。對于血?dú)夥絼偟那嗄陮W(xué)者來說，這無疑是十分令人沮喪的——不管是這幾年出盡風(fēng)頭者，還是尚未登臺表演者。沮喪歸沮喪，適當(dāng)調(diào)整一下心理狀態(tài)，乃至治學(xué)態(tài)度和研究方法，還是必要的。就好像新學(xué)期開始，小學(xué)生們必須把假期里跑野了的心收回來一樣。

當(dāng)然，也有人“早就料到有這么一天”，從來沒“跑野”過?？蛇@沒有什么可值得驕傲的。對于那些沒有一點(diǎn)功利心、沒有一點(diǎn)虛榮心、沒有一點(diǎn)狂態(tài)、沒有一點(diǎn)醉意的“純學(xué)者”，我歷來敬而遠(yuǎn)之；有時甚至不免“以小人之心度君子之腹”，以為或者缺乏才氣故作鎮(zhèn)定、或者出于矯情大罵葡萄酸也未可知。我佩服的是能“跑野”也能“操正步”；該“跑野”時“跑野”，該“操正步”時“操正步”。當(dāng)年“跑野”時甩了一撥人，如今“操正步”還會甩下一撥人。讀書做學(xué)問也真不容易。

一代詩僧蘇曼殊的小說中，常常出現(xiàn)這么一種尷尬的局面：男主人公在熱情、執(zhí)著、聰慧、果敢的西化女性和嫻靜、高雅、溫柔、含蓄的東方女性面前喪失選擇的能力，只好懸崖撒手皈依我佛。這種主題模式在現(xiàn)代作家筆下不斷重現(xiàn)，只不過“五四”時候西化女性占上風(fēng)，40年代東方女性占上風(fēng)而已。盡管作家給出了一個明確的答案，但這種選擇更多的是時代逼出來的；內(nèi)心深處很可能都像蘇曼殊那樣，在兩種女性、兩種生活理想、兩種處世態(tài)度——借用茅盾的術(shù)語：詩歌與散文——之間徘徊。

“沒有英雄”、“缺乏戲劇性”、“操正步”、“常規(guī)建設(shè)”，這無疑都是散文時代的標(biāo)志。也許，只好做一個“美麗而蒼涼”的手勢，告別“詩歌”，走向“散文”。

但愿，就在不久的將來，我能把這題目倒過來再做一遍：告別“散文”，走向“詩歌”。即使那篇好文章一時難產(chǎn)，也不妨為這散文時代保留一點(diǎn)詩意，或者創(chuàng)造一點(diǎn)詩意。以免“寂寞的事業(yè)”過分寂寞，散文的時代過分“散文”。

英譯漢原文

In the more obscure scientific circles which I frequent there is a legend circulating about a late distinguished scientist who, in his declining years, persisted in wearing enormous padded boots much too large for him.He had developed, it seems, what to his fellows was a wholly irrational fear of falling through the interstices of that largely empty molecular space which common men in their folly speak of as the world.A stroll across his living-room floor had become, for him, something as dizzily horrendous as the activities of a window washer on the Empire State Building.Indeed, with equal reason he could have passed a ghostly hand through his own ribs.The quivering network of his nerves, the awe-inspiring movement of his thought had become a vague cloud of electrons interspersed with the light-year distances that obtain between us and the farther galaxies.This was the natural world which he had helped to create, and in which, at last, he had found himself a lonely and imprisoned occupant.All around him the ignorant rushed on their way over the illusion of substantial floors, leaping, though they did not see it, from particle to particle, over a bottomless abyss.There was even a question as to the reality of the particles which bore them up.It did not, however, keep insubstantial newspapers from being sold, or insubstantial love from being made.Not long ago I became aware of another world perhaps equally natural and real, which man is beginning to forget.My thinking began in New England under a boat dock.The lake I speak of has been pre-empted and civilized by man.All day long in the vacation season high-speed motorboats, driven with the reckless abandon common to the young Apollos of our society, speed back and forth, carrying loads of equally attractive girls.The shores echo to the roar of powerful motors and the delighted screams of young Americans with uncounted horsepower surging under their hands.In truth, as I sat there under the boat dock, I had some desire to swim or to canoe in the older ways of the great forest which once lay about this region.Either notion would have been folly.I would have been gaily chopped to ribbons by teen-age youngsters whose eyes were always immutably fixed on the far horizons of space, or upon the dials which indicated the speed of their passing.There was another world, I was to discover, along the lake shallows and under the boat dock, where the motors could not come.As I sat there one sunny morning when the water was peculiarly translucent, I saw a dark shadow moving swiftly over the bottom.It was the first sign of life I had seen in this lake, whose shores seemed to yield little but washed-in beer cans.By and by the gliding shadow ceased to scurry from stone to stone over the bottom.Unexpectedly, it headed almost directly for me.A furry nose with gray whiskers broke the surface.Below the whiskers green water foliage trailed out in an inverted V as long as his body.A muskrat still lived in the lake.He was bringing in his breakfast.I sat very still in the strips of sunlight under the pier.To my surprise the muskrat came almost to my feet with his little breakfast of greens.He was young, and it rapidly became obvious to me that he was laboring under an illusion of his own, and that he thought animals and men were still living in the Garden of Eden.He gave me a friendly glance from time to time as he nibbled his greens.Once, even, he went out into the lake again and returned to my feet with more greens.He had not, it seemed, heard very much about men.I shuddered.Only the evening before I had heard a man describe with triumphant enthusiasm how he had killed a rat in the garden because the creature had dared to nibble his petunias.He had even showed me the murder weapon, a sharp-edged brick.On this pleasant shore a war existed and would go on until nothing remained but man.Yet this creature with the gray, appealing face wanted very little: a strip of shore to coast up and down, sunlight and moonlight, some weeds from the deep water.He was an edge-of-the-world dweller, caught between a vanishing forest and a deep lake preempted by unpredictable machines full of chopping blades.He eyed me nearsightedly, a green leaf poised in his mouth.Plainly he had come with some poorly instructed memory about the lion and the lamb.―You had better run away now,‖ I said softly, making no movement in the shafts of light.―You are in the wrong universe and must not make this mistake again.I am really a very terrible and cunning beast.I can throw stones.‖ With this I dropped a little pebble at his feet.He looked at me half blindly, with eyes much better adjusted to the wavering shadows of his lake bottom than to sight in the open air.He made almost as if to take the pebble up into his forepaws.Then a thought seemed to cross his mind—a thought perhaps telepathically received, as Freud once hinted, in the dark world below and before man, a whisper of ancient disaster heard in the depths of a burrow.Perhaps after all this was not Eden.His nose twitched carefully;he edged toward the water.As he vanished in an oncoming wave, there went with him a natural world, distinct from the world of girls and motorboats, distinct from the world of the professor holding to reality by some great snowshoe effort in his study.My muskrat’s shore-line universe was edged with the dark wall of hills on one side and the waspish drone of motors farther out, but it was a world of sunlight he had taken down into the water weeds.It hovered there, waiting for my disappearance.I walked away, obscurely pleased that darkness had not gained on life by any act of mine.In so many worlds, I thought, how natural is ―natural‖—and is there anything we can call a natural world at all?