(二) 译者不是工匠而是设计师

　　译者不是作者,这是无法选择的事实。但译者不应是简单地将一种语言符号转换成另一种语言符号的工匠,他(她) 要为读者着想,即译文能否为读者所接受,是否为读者所喜闻乐见? 因此,译者应该是一名设计师。

　　汉语中描写风景的词汇丰富,辞藻华丽,所以中文这类材料中主观描写、“虚”夸之词较多。我国悠久的历史、灿烂的文化集中体现在旅游宣传材料中,

　　如历史人物、典故、神话、诗赋、成语、地名、历史年代等等。如何翻译这些材料,恰如其分地表达、传递给外国旅游者,就不得不考虑翻译的原则与方法。

　　所谓翻译,翻译家杨绛的理解为: ??把原作换一种文字,照模照样地表达。原文说什么,译文就说什么;原文怎么说,译文也怎么说。这是翻译家一致承认的。至于如何贯彻这个指导思想,却没有现成的规律;具体问题只能个别解决。

　　具体到旅游资料的翻译,如果一味强调“忠实”,

　　译出的文字会是什么样呢? 请看:南方某市举办的龙舟会的宣传材料:“中华大地,江河纵横; 华夏文化,源远流长??轻快的龙舟如银河流星,瑰丽的彩船似海市蜃楼,两岸那金碧辉煌的彩楼连成一片水晶宫,是仙境? 是梦境? 仰视彩鸽割飞,低眸漂灯留霓,焰火怒放,火树银花,灯舞回旋,千姿百态,气垫船腾起一江春潮,射击手点破满天彩球??”

　　译文:The divine land of China has its rivers flowingacross ; the brilliant culture of China has its roots tracingback long ?

　　The light dragon2boats appear on the river as thoughthe stars twinkle in the Milky Way. The richly decoratedpleasure boats look like a scene of mirage. The splendentawnings in green and gold chain into a palace of crystal .

　　Is this a fairy land or a mere dream ?Looking above , youcan see the beautiful doves flying about . Looking below ,

　　you can see the sailing lamps glittering. Cracking are thefireworks , which present you a picture of fiery trees andsilver flowers. Circling are the lantern2dancers , whopresent you a variation of exquisite manner. Over therethe motor2boats are plowing the water , thus a tide stirsup. Over there , the marksmen are shooting to theirtargets ; thus colorful beads whirl around ?

　　译者可谓“忠实”,但在native English speaker 的眼中却是full of hyperbole (充满了极度夸张) ,不知所云。赛龙舟是中国传统的节日活动,外国游客感兴趣的是其由来、内涵、习俗等具体的信息,而非这些主观、空洞的辞藻的堆砌。

　　又如某市的画册上有这样一段文字:市内外有名胜古迹300 多处,市中心有赵武灵王操演兵马和观赏歌舞的武灵丛台,市郊有国家重点文物保护单位———赵王城遗址,城北有明代所建“蓬莱仙境”般的黄粱梦吕仙祠,市西南有可与龙门、敦煌媲美始凿于北齐的响堂山石窟;又是典故之城??黄粱美梦、毛遂自荐、负荆请罪、完璧归赵等众多成语典故,脍炙人口,给人启迪??

　　译文:There are over 300 scenic spots and historicalsites inside and outside the city. In the civic center standsthe Wuling Congtai terrace , where the King Wqulingdrilled warriors and enjoyed singing and dancingperformances ; in the outskirts remains the ruined city ofthe State of Zhao , the monument specially protected bythe state ; in the north lies the fairy2land like GoldenMillet Dream Temple built in he Song Dynasty ; in thesouthwest lies the Xiang Tang Caves Temple built in theBei Qi period , which is thought to be as famous asLongman and Dunhuang. Being a town of allusions , suchas “Golden Millet Dream ( Pipe Dream) ”, Mao SuiRecommending Himself (Volunteering one’s services) ”,