[C-E 練習] 范仲淹—岳陽樓記

慶曆四年春，滕子京謫守巴陵郡。越明年，政通人和，百廢具興。乃重修岳陽樓，增其舊制，刻唐賢今人詩賦於其上。屬予作文以記之。

予觀夫巴陵勝狀，在洞庭一湖。銜遠山，吞長江，浩浩湯湯，橫無際涯；朝暉夕陰，氣象萬千。此則岳陽樓之大觀也。前人之述備矣。然則北通巫峽，南極瀟湘，遷客騷人，多會於此，覽物之情，得無異乎？

若夫霪雨霏霏，連月不開，陰風怒號，濁浪排空；日星隱耀，山嶽潛形；商旅不行，檣傾楫摧；薄暮冥冥，虎嘯猿啼。登斯樓也，則有去國懷鄉，憂讒畏譏，滿目蕭然，感極而悲者矣。

至若春和景明，波瀾不驚，上下天光，一碧萬頃；沙鷗翔集，錦鱗游泳；岸芷汀蘭，鬱郁青青。而或長煙一空，皓月千里，浮光躍金，靜影沉璧，漁歌互答，此樂何極！登斯樓也，則有心曠神怡，寵辱偕忘，把酒臨風，其喜洋洋者矣。

嗟夫！予嘗求古仁人之心，或異二者之為，何哉？不以物喜，不以己悲；居廟堂之高則憂其民；處江湖之遠則憂其君。是進亦憂，退亦憂。然則何時而樂耶？其必曰「先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂」乎。噫！微斯人，吾誰與歸？

時六年九月十五日。

Blue Ivy 要我譯老范的岳陽樓記，我沒讀過老莎(Shakespeare)，肯定不會像樣。不過想到反正是千古一文，無雙無對，再好跟再差，分得再清楚也就是十步遙望百步，只要發奮總能走到，所以決心試試。憋了一個早上，完成了開始兩段，現在氣喘心跳，一步也走不動了……

慶曆四年春，滕子京謫守巴陵郡。
In the spring of the fourth year of Qingli Era (Song Dynasty), Tengzi Jing was banished to the governor position of Baling County.

越明年，政通人和，百廢具興。
In the year that followed(*), he made himself a popular governor with many rebuild-initiatives well in progress.

乃重修岳陽樓，增其舊制，刻唐賢今人詩賦於其上。
The Yueyang Tower was renovated with new decorative enhancements, poems and essays from renowned scholars of the Tang dynasty and the present time being inscribed on the walls and pillars.

屬予作文以記之。
I was asked to commit this into record.


予觀夫巴陵勝狀，在洞庭一湖。
The natural beauty of Baling county is all contained in and around Lake Dongting.

銜遠山，吞長江，浩浩湯湯，橫無際涯；朝暉夕陰，氣象萬千。
The Lake stretches to reach the mountains in far distance, opening fully to the waters from Yangtze River, enormous in volume and boundless in sight. With clear skies at sunrise and dense clouds at sunset, the Lake is showing an unlimited variety of wonderful scenes.   

此則岳陽樓之大觀也。前人之述備矣。
This, as a general appreciation of the scenery with Yueyang Tower in the front, has been fully expressed before by many authors.

然則北通巫峽，南極瀟湘，遷客騷人，多會於此，覽物之情，得無異乎？
However, the water connects the Wu George to the north and the Xiao-Xiang regions in the south and thus make it easier for travelers and literary scholars to come and gather here. Now having been shown these scenes, will they have different feelings and impressions?

[color="Gray"](*) revised according to the suggestions of TheYeti3.

[ 本帖最後由 Adelyn 於 2006-10-13 04:03 編輯 ]

試了好幾次，就是一步也走不動，不行了，必須在這裡交接力棒——各位DG，DJ，XD，XM，「革命尚未成功，同志仍需努力！」

謝謝 Adelyn 翻譯了這兩節, 俺也知道這古文每句話包涵的意思相當準確, 文字簡練精美,  翻譯很不容易呀.

還請高人們繼續努力呀!

在旺旺看到tx老師的譯文，十分華美，拿過來與大家分享。先把原來沒完成的後半部份貼上來，再貼tx老師的。

若夫霪雨霏霏，連月不開，陰風怒號，濁浪排空；日星隱耀，山嶽潛形；商旅不行，檣傾楫摧；薄暮冥冥，虎嘯猿啼。[/COLOR]
When it rains, the rain will last for months. At the time, cold wind blows with howling sound and the water becomes dark moving violently. The sunshine is blocked by clouds that are over the skies and the mountains become indiscernible in the misty air. Merchant vessels stay in the bay but many are still severely damaged with wrecked masts and broken oars. In the evening when the skies turn dark, sounds of wild animals can be heard from far.

登斯樓也，則有去國懷鄉，憂讒畏譏，滿目蕭然，感極而悲者矣。[/COLOR]
Now on top of the Tower, you can be lost in nostalgia or unfulfilled ambitions, troubled by fear of slanders and scandals, or become deeply sad in response to the dreary scenes.


至若春和景明，波瀾不驚，上下天光，一碧萬頃；沙鷗翔集，錦鱗游泳；岸芷汀蘭，鬱郁青青[/COLOR]。
In the spring time, the nature is in harmony and the skies are clear. The water is placid, boundless, glowing in the sunshine. Shore-dwelling aquatic birds gather and fly in circle. Fish with beautiful colors swim in the water. There are islands in the Lake where various plants grow vigorously in a vibrant green.

而或長煙一空，皓月千里，浮光躍金，靜影沉璧，漁歌互答，此樂何極！
After sunset, aside from high-hanging cooking smoke, a bright, shining moon is the only distinct object in the sky.  A glistening gold color glows with the ripples on water surfaces.  The mirror image of the Moon stays as motionless in the water as a sunken jade-dish.  Fishermen are singing to greet each other. So much to enjoy when a day's work finishes!

登斯樓也，則有心曠神怡，寵辱偕忘，把酒臨風，其喜洋洋者矣。
Now on top of the Tower, you can feel totally relaxed with little worry about yourself. You want to drink wine in a gentle breeze while enjoying the scenes with great pleasure.


嗟夫！予嘗求古仁人之心，或異二者之為，何哉？
Alas! I have tried to understand the noble-minded who lived long ago in hope that their spirits could help me overcome personal emotions.  What are those spirits?

不以物喜，不以己悲；居廟堂之高則憂其民；處江湖之遠則憂其君。
No gain in material will please me, no setback in life will sadden me. When serving the court, I am concerned about the people and their needs. When returned to an ordinary life, I worry about my emperor and the appropriateness of his decisions.

是進亦憂，退亦憂。
I am worried either when I am being called upon by the sovereign authority or after I have been retired from my post.

然則何時而樂耶？
Then, when will I stop worrying and begin to enjoy myself?

其必曰「先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂」乎。
With the country and the people always being my highest concern, I shall be the first to bear hardship and the last to enjoy myself.

噫！微斯人，吾誰與歸？
Oh! As my presence is so insignificant, may I ask you to join me in the pursuit of these noble ideals?

時六年九月十五日。
On the fifteenth day of September of the sixth year of Qingli.

[ 本帖最後由 Adelyn 於 2006-10-13 04:05 編輯 ]

譯完以後，對范仲淹原文又有了一些新的理解，下面用白話文複述一遍，盡量不用原文的辭彙。


慶曆四年春，滕子京謫守巴陵郡。越明年，政通人和，百廢具興。乃重修岳陽樓，增其舊制，刻唐賢今人詩賦於其上。屬予作文以記之。

慶曆年號第四年的春天，滕子京被貶職遷徙到巴陵郡去做郡守。過了第二年，政令通達，受到擁戴，許多荒廢的項目都已恢復起來。於是修復岳陽樓，增加原有的裝飾，刻唐朝和當今著名文人的詩詞作品在牆和柱上，並囑託我寫一篇記述文章。

予觀夫巴陵勝狀，在洞庭一湖。銜遠山，吞長江，浩浩湯湯，橫無際涯；朝暉夕陰，氣象萬千。此則岳陽樓之大觀也。前人之述備矣。然則北通巫峽，南極瀟湘，遷客騷人，多會於此，覽物之情，得無異乎？

我覺得巴陵郡最好的自然景色，都集中在洞庭這一座湖上。與遠方的山脈相連，容納長江流入的水，氣勢壯闊，無邊無際；早晨的霞光，傍晚的烏雲，天色和景物各種各樣，時時變化。岳陽樓的景觀，前人已描述得十分詳盡。然而，這湖北面與巫峽接通，南面延伸到瀟和湘兩條河，離開京城的官員和喜愛文學的遊人，常在這裡聚會，他們見到這些自然景色而觸發的感想，大概會各有不同吧？

若夫霪雨霏霏，連月不開，陰風怒號，濁浪排空；日星隱耀，山嶽潛形；商旅不行，檣傾楫摧；薄暮冥冥，虎嘯猿啼。登斯樓也，則有去國懷鄉，憂讒畏譏，滿目蕭然，感極而悲者矣。

陰雨天的時候，雨不停地下，幾個月都見不著晴天，濕而冷的風，刮出很大的聲音，暗色的湖水，湧起很高的浪；看不見太陽的光輝，看不清山嶽的形體；商船停留在港灣里不再航行，仍然桅杆傾倒，槳篙折斷；傍晚時天空昏暗，野獸的叫聲遠遠傳來，或低沉或高亢。登上了這座樓，不自禁地為遭受貶謫或遠離家鄉而憂鬱，因擔心誹謗或懼怕嘲笑而壓抑，一眼望去，都是缺乏生機的景象，心中觸動而悲哀傷痛，真是到了極點。

至若春和景明，波瀾不驚，上下天光，一碧萬頃；沙鷗翔集，錦鱗游泳；岸芷汀蘭，鬱郁青青。而或長煙一空，皓月千里，浮光躍金，靜影沉璧，漁歌互答，此樂何極！登斯樓也，則有心曠神怡，寵辱偕忘，把酒臨風，其喜洋洋者矣。

到了春光和煦、景物色彩分明的時候，湖面平靜不起波浪，陽光照耀下湖水閃亮，一片藍綠色遠遠延伸；水鳥在沙洲上聚集、徘徊飛翔，各種色彩鮮艷的魚兒在水裡游泳；岸上長著草、洲上長著花，看去一片青綠，十分茂盛。當沒有霧的時候，銀白色的月亮在天空中分外醒目，水面上細細的波紋反射出點點金光，月亮映在湖面上，影子象沉在水底的一塊玉壁，漁人的歌聲彼此應和，這樣的樂趣真是不能再求更好了！登上了這座樓，不自禁地會忘記心中的牽掛、感覺輕鬆愉快，被君王信任的榮耀和被貶謫離開朝廷的屈辱，都被放在了一邊，端著酒杯，感覺到風在輕輕地吹，心中喜悅與無邊的湖水連成一片。

嗟夫！予嘗求古仁人之心，或異二者之為，何哉？不以物喜，不以己悲；居廟堂之高則憂其民；處江湖之遠則憂其君。是進亦憂，退亦憂。然則何時而樂耶？其必曰「先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂」乎。噫！微斯人，吾誰與歸？ 時六年九月十五日。

唉！我曾經努力去了解古代品德高尚者的感受，與上述兩種似乎不一樣，差異在哪裡？不因獲得財富或者榮譽而喜悅，不因失去官職或不被重視而傷心；受到提拔、在君王身邊參於政事，就會憂慮百姓的疾苦；被降職遷徙，遠離京城，就會憂慮君王的言行。這樣，被提拔到朝廷做官，會有憂慮，被貶斥到偏遠地方，也會有憂慮。那麼什麼時候才會有快樂呢？回答是「只要還有百姓在為生活憂慮，我就不會停止憂慮；只有所有百姓都快樂起來，我才會快樂」。啊！除了這樣品德高尚的人，我還能跟誰有共同的追求和理想呢？寫於慶曆年號第六年的九月十五日。

下面是tx老師的譯文

A Panegyric of the Yueyang Tower

      -- Translated by tx (from Messaa Group International)
      -- September 3, 2006

   In spring of 1044 AD (the fourth year of Qingli 慶曆), Teng Zijing (滕子京) was demoted to be the prefect of Baling (巴陵). A year later, the government starts to function well and the people live in harmony. Many previously neglected tasks and projects were undertaken. The Yueyang Tower (岳陽樓) was renovated and expanded, adding inscriptions of many contemporary and Tang poems. I was asked to write an article commemorating the event.
   Baling owes its spectacular scenery to Lake Dongting (洞庭湖). The vast and immense lake contains the distant mountains, and swallows water from the mighty Yangtze River. From morning to evening, the lake displays its ever-changing beauty, sparking brightly in the morning sun and turning gray in the evening mist. Such is the magnificent view the Tower commands, of which descriptions abound.
    Yuezhou is a gateway city: To its north lies the Wu Gorge and to its south the Xiao and Xiang Rivers. Many poets and exiled officials often gather here. As they take in the different views, could they not react differently?
    Sometimes it rains excessively for months seemingly without end. The cold wind howls angrily and turbid waves wall up the sky. The sun and stars lose their luster and the mountains become barely visible. Storms topple mainmasts and break oars, and, in general, work havoc among merchants and travelers. When it is dark, one can hear angry tigers roar and sad monkeys weep. The sound and sight conspire to provide a melancholy background for those who were force to leave the capital or hometown. They worry about slander from the evildoers and ridicule from unprincipled people. The bleak scene fills them with sad thoughts and exasperates their deep grief.
    Then there are clear spring days when the sun shines brightly and the lake is mirror calm without a ripple. The lake and the sky merge into each other on the horizon and acres and acres of emerald green stretch into the infinity. Sand birds circle far above the islets and colorful fish swim around. Green, lush plants on the shore and sandbars constantly give off their exquisitely pleasant fragrance. Sometimes the mist and vapor clears up and the bright moonlight shines over the vast lake. The moonlight dances on the placid lake, making golden sparkles. The reflection of the moon stays deep in the calm water like a jade disk. The fishermen sing back and forth. It is an absolute delight to hear such musical and joyous performance. To be up in the tower and seeing such beautiful scene, one cannot but feel a spiritual uplift and clear his mind of all worries of imperial favors and disfavors. In the gentle breeze he would no doubt raise his glass and toast to the great happiness in life.

An ideal man loves his country and his fellow countrymen. I had studies the ethos of ancient ideal men. Theirs was perhaps quite different from the two I just described. How so? They did not go into ecstasies of delight when in fortunate circumstances; nor did they fall into deep despair when in difficult situations. When in high position, they were concerned about the people; while out of office, they were concerned about the state affairs. Thus, an ideal man, whether in or out of office, always worries about state affairs and his fellow countrymen. Then, when does he relax and enjoy himself? No doubt he would reply, 「I will be the first to be concerned about the country and the last to enjoy myself」 Oh! Without these ideal men, whom would I emulate!

       -- Written on the fourth year, September 15.[/FONT]

至若春和景明，波瀾不驚，上下天光，一碧萬頃；沙鷗翔集，錦鱗游泳；岸芷汀蘭，鬱郁青青。而或長煙一空，皓月千里，浮光躍金，靜影沉璧，漁歌互答，此樂何極！登斯樓也，則有心曠神怡，寵辱偕忘，把酒臨風，其喜洋洋者矣。

When it comes to a warm Spring time, the water is placid and the view clear.
Looking far ahead sky and water seem to join boundary, while the vast  calm
green lake stretches beyond your sight. Up in sky some birds are soaring about,
close to shore there is colorful fish swimming. Trees and flowers thrive on the banks, turining the banks lushly green.
On a night when all mist and fog has disappeared and the moon sheds its bright light over the lake, rippling water glistens like gold. When the lake quitens downs, the moon's reflection sinks deep in the water like a jade disk. Some fishermen are greeting and singing to each other in their boats. What could be more delightful to enjoy the view here and now! Stepping on the tower at this moment, one will be forgetful of his worries and become spiritually refreshed. Personal glories or disgraces are all brushed aside and in this intoxicating night he only
cares to drink to the pleasant breeze.

I tried a short paragraph, which took a long time.

I think this kind of translation serves only for excersise and self-amusement purposes. No doubt the aesthetic value of the oringal text is so so hard to convey.

oh, it is much better than mine. it takes into english text the passions and aethetic beauty of the original chinese. i was only struggling to preserve the information in the chinese text, with other requirements all omitted. a similar approach was used in my translation of 讀書苦樂 (by 楊絳), too.

原帖由 Blue Ivy 於 2006-9-3 19:53 發表
..., 俺也知道這古文每句話包涵的意思相當準確, 文字簡練精美,  翻譯很不容易呀...

i believe the author (Fan Zhongyan) was telling something real, in addition to entertaining readers with a stunningly illusory mind image created by his skillful use of language.

原帖由 Adelyn 於 2006-9-30 05:58 發表
在旺旺看到tx老師的譯文，十分華美，拿過來與大家分享。先把原來沒完成的後半部份貼上來，再貼tx老師的。

謝謝你的讚美﹐更謝謝你說明出處。 -- tx (from Messaa Group Int'l)

贊啊，對TX老師和斑竹無比景仰中。。。。

自嘆不如，佩服呀。