#1 [原创] 奥巴马上海演讲新华网译文评析
外国政要访华讲话的翻译，历来是我国翻译界乐于关注的对象。其中文翻译，往往出自翻译专业人员之手。由集体反复推敲确定译文最后定稿也是常事。这是我国翻译界的一个好传统。有些政要讲话的翻译，被选入翻译教材，比如尼克松访华的祝酒词。
这个传统到了今天不知道为什么不见了。例子就是这次奥巴马访华在上海发表的演讲。新华网发布了一个中文稿。现在这个中文稿在网络上到处出现，甚至到了一些英语学习论坛和翻译论坛。但是这个翻译是一个急就章，非常草率，漏译、误译，过分意译比比皆是。在译文润色上也粗制滥造，个别地方读起来甚至像用google 语言工具作的自动翻译，严重破坏了原文的风格。我要说这个译文连大学英语专业的翻译课标准都达不到。
对照英语原文，我发现中文版的分段跟原文不符合。在《华夏快递》上登出的中文版，每段后面有时间标志。我怀疑这是个口译的实录。如果这样，那还可以原谅。但是新华网拿来发表就不可原谅了，因为新华网的任务不是报道口译人员当时是如何翻译奥巴马讲话的，而是要给中国人民一个准确完整忠实的奥巴马讲话文本，所以应该重新修订后再发表才是。新华网的做法，违反了我国翻译界的传统和惯常做法，应该检讨。
但是我从录像发现，奥巴马讲话过程中并没有中文口译。听众提问也是用英文进行的。那么这个演讲的中文稿，只能是从英文文稿笔译过来的。如果真是这样的话，那这样的译文就不可原谅了。
最后一个可能就是中文稿是美方提供的。但是我有点怀疑，因为里面有一个地方使用了“罩着”这个词来翻译“care for”（英文第6段， 下同）。这个词是中国黑帮词汇，意思是“提供保护”。除非白宫找了华人黑帮来翻译奥巴马的讲话，或者白宫找的翻译在中国混混里面呆过，否则是想不到用这个词的。我想白宫如果找人翻译，就近到美国之音去找人是很方便的，质量也会有保证的。再不行，发给国防语言学院请求帮助。国防语言学院的人要是翻不了，过两条街到蒙特雷研究生院翻译学院，用不着找包老师，找个大陆来的研究生也没多大问题。总之，如果是美方正经要翻译这篇演讲，绝对不对找不到一个合格的翻译。
下面择要分析一下新华网发表的这个中文稿。我按照英文原文给中文稿重新分了段。
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon. It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you. I'd like to thank Fudan University's President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome. I'd also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nations. I don't know what he said, but I hope it was good. (Laughter.)
你好。诸位下午好。我感到很荣幸能够有机会到上海跟你们交谈，我要感谢复旦大学的杨校长，感谢他的款待和热情的欢迎。我还想感谢我们出色的大使洪博培，他是我们两国间深厚的纽带。我不知道他刚才说什么，但是希望他说得很好。[ 11-16 13:06]。
此处划线部分，奥巴马是在开玩笑。中文翻译没有翻译出来幽默效果。可以译成：“他刚才讲了些什么我不知道，但愿他没讲什么坏话。”或者“但愿他讲的都是好话”。
This is my first time traveling to China, and I'm excited to see this majestic country. Here, in Shanghai, we see the growth that has caught the attention of the world -- the soaring skyscrapers, the bustling streets and entrepreneurial activity. And just as I'm impressed by these signs of China's journey to the 21st century, I'm eager to see those ancient places that speak to us from China's distant past. Tomorrow and the next day I hope to have a chance when I'm in Beijing to see the majesty of the Forbidden City and the wonder of the Great Wall. Truly, this is a nation that encompasses both a rich history and a belief in the promise of the future.
这是我首次访问中国，我看到你们博大的国家，感到很兴奋。在上海这里，我们看到了瞩目的增长，高耸的塔楼，繁忙的街道，还有企业家的精神。这些都是中国步入21世纪的迹象，让我感到赞叹。同时我也急切的要看到向我们展现中国古老的古迹，明天和后天我要到北京去看雄伟壮丽的故宫和令人叹为观止的长城，这个国度既有丰富的历史，又有对未来憧憬的信念。
这段翻译的问题除了漏掉了“of the world”以外，主要是不够严谨。“I'm eager to see those ancient places that speak to us from China's distant past.”的表述方式比较富有文学色彩，译文则有些枯燥。
The same can be said of the relationship between our two countries. Shanghai, of course, is a city that has great meaning in the history of the relationship between the United States and China. It was here, 37 years ago, that the Shanghai Communique opened the door to a new chapter of engagement between our governments and among our people. However, America's ties to this city -- and to this country -- stretch back further, to the earliest days of America's independence.
而我们两国的关系也是如此，上海在美中关系的历史中是个具有意义的重大城市，在30年前，《上海公报》打开了我们两国政府和两国人民接触交往的新的篇章。不过美国与这个国家的纽带可以追溯更久远的过去，追溯到美国独立的初期，
此段把“37”误译为“30”。表示强调的“it was here” 没有翻译。
In 1784, our founding father, George Washington, commissioned the Empress of China, a ship that set sail for these shores so that it could pursue trade with the Qing Dynasty. Washington wanted to see the ship carry the flag around the globe, and to forge new ties with nations like China. This is a common American impulse -- the desire to reach for new horizons, and to forge new partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
乔治•华盛顿组织了皇后号的下水仪式，这个船成功前往大清王朝，华盛顿希望看到这艘船前往各地，与中国结成新的纽带。希望中国开辟新的地平线，建立新的伙伴关系。
此段疏漏甚多。增加了原文没有的“成功”一词。“the globe”变成了“各地”，让人误以为指中国各地。 “nations like China”成了“中国”。最后一句的翻译完全错误，应该译为“这是美国的一个普遍追求---开拓新领域，建立新的互惠性质的伙伴关系”。
Over the two centuries that have followed, the currents of history have steered the relationship between our countries in many directions. And even in the midst of tumultuous winds, our people had opportunities to forge deep and even dramatic ties. For instance, Americans will never forget the hospitality shown to our pilots who were shot down over your soil during World War II, and cared for by Chinese civilians who risked all that they had by doing so. And Chinese veterans of that war still warmly greet those American veterans who return to the sites where they fought to help liberate China from occupation.
在其后的两个世纪中，历史洪流使我们两国关系向许多不同的方向发展，而即使在最动荡的方向中，我们的两国人民打造深的，甚至有戏剧性的纽带，比如美国人永远不会忘记，在二战期间，美国飞行员在中国上空被击落后，当地人民对他们的款待，中国公民冒着失去一切的危险罩着他们。而参加二战的老兵仍然欢迎故地重游的美国老兵，他们在那里参战。
此段翻译也是很粗梳。“即使在最动荡的方向中，我们的两国人民打造深的，甚至有戏剧性的纽带。”这一句缺乏任何动词形态标志，读起来很生硬。“罩着”属于用词不妥，可以译为“对他们施以援手”或者“实行救助”。“而参加二战的老兵仍然欢迎故地重游的美国老兵，他们在那里参战”一句中漏掉了“中国”，对定语从句的处理方式也很生硬。“they fought to help liberate China from occupation”整个被删掉，不知是否故意？此段最后的定语从句可以保留原结构，或者译成“参加了那次战争的中国老兵仍然欢迎美国老兵故地重游， 看一看当年他们为把中国从占领者手中解放出来而战斗过的地方。”
A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost between our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis. The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success -- because for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity were revealed. As one American player described his visit to China -- "[The]people are just like us…The country is very similar to America, but still very different."
40年前，我们两国间开启了又一种联系，两国关系开始解冻，通过乒乓球的比赛解冻关系。我们两国之间有着分歧，但是我们也有着共同的人性及有着共同的好奇，就像一位乒乓球人员一样，那的国家就是一样。
此段翻译删去了“The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success”，大概是觉得不好翻译。原文的意思应该是说通过乒乓球赛使中美两国化解外交僵局看起来有点不可思议，然而却成功了。 这成功的基础是中美人民对体育这类非政治活动都有相同的爱好。奥巴马在这里是在强调政治的歧见挡不住人性的相同。这也为他后来谈普世价值打下一点伏笔。这句可意译为“以小小乒乓推动大国外交看似离奇，然而成功的秘诀就在其中”。
此段把美国运动员翻译成“乒乓球人员”，不妥。另外最后一句大部分内容都给译者贪污了。
Of course this small opening was followed by the achievement of the Shanghai Communique, and the eventual establishment of formal relations between the United States and China in 1979. And in three decades, just look at how far we have come.
但是这个小小的开头带来了《上海公报》的问世，最终还带来了美中在1979年建交。在其后的30年我们又取得了长足的进展
此段中“just look at how far we have come”是一句祈使句，直译是“你们看看我们走了多远”有强调成绩很大的意思。译文的处理是一句平淡的陈述句，力度不够。我的翻译是：“屈指三十年过去了，我们关系的发展得怎样，大家只要看一看就知道了。”
America imports from China many of the computer parts we use, the clothes we wear; and we export to China machinery that helps power your industry. This trade could create even more jobs on both sides of the Pacific, while allowing our people to enjoy a better quality of life. And as demand becomes more balanced, it can lead to even broader prosperity.
美国电脑中许多部件，还有穿的衣服都是从中国进口的，我们向中国出口中国工业要使用的机器，这种贸易可以在太平洋两岸创造更多的就业机会，让我们的人民过上质量更高的生活。在需求趋于平衡的过程中，这种贸易可以是更广阔的贸易。
此段中最后一句属于误译，应该是“随着双方的需求趋向平衡，双方的贸易能够让两国的经济更为繁荣。”
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因为实在看不过去新华社发布的中文译文，我决定自己翻译一遍，即使不求雅，也求信和达。
on going
美国总统奥巴马在上海科技馆演讲
方壶斋 译
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon. It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you. I'd like to thank Fudan University's President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome. I'd also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nations. I don't know what he said, but I hope it was good. (Laughter.)
1）下午好。今天我来到上海，有机会跟大家对话，对我来说是一个很大的荣誉。我要感谢复旦大学杨校长的慷慨好客和对我的热情欢迎。我也要感谢我们杰出的大使洪博培。 他本人代表了我们两国之间的深厚的纽带和相互的尊重。他刚才讲了些什么我不知道，但愿他没讲什么坏话 （笑声）
What I'd like to do is to make some opening comments, and then what I'm really looking forward to doing is taking questions, not only from students who are in the audience, but also we've received questions online, which will be asked by some of the students who are here in the audience, as well as by Ambassador Huntsman. And I am very sorry that my Chinese is not as good as your English, but I am looking forward to this chance to have a dialogue.
2）我想首先做一个开场白， 然后开始我真正想要做的， 那就是回答问题。 这些问题不但出自在场的学生， 也包括我们在网络上收到的提问。 这些提问有的会由在座的学生代为宣读，有的也会由洪大使代为宣读。我很抱歉我的中文没有你们的英文那么好，不过我仍然期待这个跟各位对话的机会。
This is my first time traveling to China, and I'm excited to see this majestic country. Here, in Shanghai, we see the growth that has caught the attention of the world -- the soaring skyscrapers, the bustling streets and entrepreneurial activity. And just as I'm impressed by these signs of China's journey to the 21st century, I'm eager to see those ancient places that speak to us from China's distant past. Tomorrow and the next day I hope to have a chance when I'm in Beijing to see the majesty of the Forbidden City and the wonder of the Great Wall. Truly, this is a nation that encompasses both a rich history and a belief in the promise of the future.
3）这是我首次到中国来。 能够亲眼看到这个雄伟壮丽的国家我感到很兴奋。在这里， 在上海， 我们看到了令全世界瞩目的增长---高耸的大楼，繁忙的街道，还有创业的精神。这些都标志着中国向21世界的迈进，给我以深刻的印象。不过我同样向往看到那些向人们诉说着中国的往昔的那些名胜古迹。明天和后天，我会到北京。 我希望有机会去看看紫禁城的宏伟和长城的壮观。 的确，中国这个国家既拥有丰富的历史也对未来充满信心。
The same can be said of the relationship between our two countries. Shanghai, of course, is a city that has great meaning in the history of the relationship between the United States and China. It was here, 37 years ago, that the Shanghai Communique opened the door to a new chapter of engagement between our governments and among our people. However, America's ties to this city -- and to this country -- stretch back further, to the earliest days of America's independence.
4）关于我们两国的关系也可以这样说。在美中外交关系史上， 上海当然具有重大的意义。37年前，就是在这里，《美中上海公报》为我们两国政府之间和人民之间的互动往来开辟了新的篇章。不过，美国与这个城市和这个国家的纽带还可以追溯到更远, 追溯到美国独立以后的最初年月。
In 1784, our founding father, George Washington, commissioned the Empress of China, a ship that set sail for these shores so that it could pursue trade with the Qing Dynasty. Washington wanted to see the ship carry the flag around the globe, and to forge new ties with nations like China. This is a common American impulse -- the desire to reach for new horizons, and to forge new partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
1784年，我们的开国元勋乔治-华盛顿主持了中国皇后号的下水仪式。中国皇后号扬帆远航到中国海岸，与清朝进行了贸易。华盛顿希望看到这艘船把美国的旗帜带往世界各地，同像中国这样的国家建立新的纽带。这是美国的一个普遍追求---开拓新领域，建立新的互惠性质的伙伴关系。
Over the two centuries that have followed, the currents of history have steered the relationship between our countries in many directions. And even in the midst of tumultuous winds, our people had opportunities to forge deep and even dramatic ties. For instance, Americans will never forget the hospitality shown to our pilots who were shot down over your soil during World War II, and cared for by Chinese civilians who risked all that they had by doing so. And Chinese veterans of that war still warmly greet those American veterans who return to the sites where they fought to help liberate China from occupation.
在此后的两百年里，历史的潮流曾经把我们两国关系的航船带往不同的方向。甚至在狂风巨浪中，我们两国人民也有机会结成深厚且不同寻常的纽带。例如，美国人民不会忘记，第二次世界大战中，我们的飞行员在你们国家上空被击落时，你们的人民表现了极大的热忱，冒着一切危险对他们进行救助。参加了那次战争的中国老兵仍然欢迎美国老兵到当年他们为把中国从占领者手中解放出来而战斗过的地方故地重游。
A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost between our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis. The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success -- because for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity were revealed. As one American player described his visit to China -- "[The]people are just like us…The country is very similar to America, but still very different."
大约40年前，我们两国之间的冰霜借助小小的乒乓而化解，另外一种联系从而建立起来。正是这种难以思议的交往造就了其成功---因为尽管我们之间存在着不同，我们共同的人性和好奇心却得以展现。正如一位美国选手谈到他的中国之行时所说的：“那里的人们跟我们一样。。。那个国家也很像美国，但是仍然有所不同。”
Of course this small opening was followed by the achievement of the Shanghai Communique, and the eventual establishment of formal relations between the United States and China in 1979. And in three decades, just look at how far we have come.
当然，这一个小小的开端带来了《上海公报》的签订，最终导向1979年美国和中国建立正式外交关系。屈指三十年过去了，我们关系的发展得怎样，大家只要看一看就知道了。
In 1979, trade between the United States and China stood at roughly $5 billion -- today it tops over $400 billion each year. The commerce affects our people's lives in so many ways. America imports from China many of the computer parts we use, the clothes we wear; and we export to China machinery that helps power your industry. This trade could create even more jobs on both sides of the Pacific, while allowing our people to enjoy a better quality of life. And as demand becomes more balanced, it can lead to even broader prosperity.
1979年，美中贸易额大体是50亿美元， 今天， 年贸易额则超过了四千多亿美元。美中贸易往来在多方面影响了我们人民的生活。我们用的计算机上的很多零件，我们所穿的服装是从中国进口的。我们则向中国出口加强贵国工业的机器设备。这种贸易使我们两国人民享受到更高的生活质量，也在太平洋两岸创造出更多的工作机会。随着双方的需求趋向平衡，双方的贸易能够让两国的经济更为繁荣。
In 1979, the political cooperation between the United States and China was rooted largely in our shared rivalry with the Soviet Union. Today, we have a positive, constructive and comprehensive relationship that opens the door to partnership on the key global issues of our time -- economic recovery and the development of clean energy; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and the scourge of climate change; the promotion of peace and security in Asia and around the globe. All of these issues will be on the agenda tomorrow when I meet with President Hu.
1979年，美中政治合作主要基于与苏联的竞争上。今天，我们两国在当今主要国际问题上建立了积极的、建设性的、广泛的伙伴关系。这些问题包括复兴经济，开发清洁能源，防止核武器扩散，遏制气候变化，促进亚洲和世界和平与安全。明天我跟胡锦涛主席会面的时候，将会就这些问题同他交换意见。
And in 1979, the connections among our people were limited. Today, we see the curiosity of those ping-pong players manifested in the ties that are being forged across many sectors. The second highest number of foreign students in the United States come from China, and we've seen a 50 percent increase in the study of Chinese among our own students. There are nearly 200 "friendship cities" drawing our communities together. American and Chinese scientists cooperate on new research and discovery. And of course, Yao Ming is just one signal of our shared love of basketball -- I'm only sorry that I won't be able to see a Shanghai Sharks game while I'm visiting.
1979年，我们两国人民的联系是很有限的。今天，我们看到当年的乒乓球运动员的好奇心在许多方面得到体现。在美国学习的外国留学生中，来自中国的数量居第二位。在美国，学习中文的学生的数量则增长了50%。美中之间大约有200个“友好城市”让我们的人民彼此接近。美国人和中国人都喜欢篮球。姚明仅仅是这种爱好的象征之一。顺便说一句，我在上海访问期间，无缘观看上海鲨鱼队的比赛。 这是我唯一的遗憾。
It is no coincidence that the relationship between our countries has accompanied a period of positive change. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty -- an accomplishment unparalleled in human history -- while playing a larger role in global events. And the United States has seen our economy grow along with the standard of living enjoyed by our people, while bringing the Cold War to a successful conclusion.
我们两国的关系伴有一段产生积极变化的时期不是偶然的。中国在世界上扮演更重要的角色的同时，已经使亿万人脱离贫穷。这个成就是史无前例的。美国也在成功地终结冷战以后出现了经济增长，人民生活水平提高的局面。
There is a Chinese proverb: "Consider the past, and you shall know the future." Surely, we have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years. Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined -- not when we consider the past. Indeed, because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure. We have seen what is possible when we build upon our mutual interests, and engage on the basis of mutual respect.
And yet the success of that engagement depends upon understanding -- on sustaining an open dialogue, and learning about one another and from one another. For just as that American table tennis player pointed out -- we share much in common as human beings, but our countries are different in certain ways.
I believe that each country must chart its own course. China is an ancient nation, with a deeply rooted culture. The United States, by comparison, is a young nation, whose culture is determined by the many different immigrants who have come to our shores, and by the founding documents that guide our democracy.
Those documents put forward a simple vision of human affairs, and they enshrine several core principles -- that all men and women are created equal, and possess certain fundamental rights; that government should reflect the will of the people and respond to their wishes; that commerce should be open, information freely accessible; and that laws, and not simply men, should guarantee the administration of justice.
Of course, the story of our nation is not without its difficult chapters. In many ways -- over many years -- we have struggled to advance the promise of these principles to all of our people, and to forge a more perfect union. We fought a very painful civil war, and freed a portion of our population from slavery. It took time for women to be extended the right to vote, workers to win the right to organize, and for immigrants from different corners of the globe to be fully embraced. Even after they were freed, African Americans persevered through conditions that were separate and not equal, before winning full and equal rights.
None of this was easy. But we made progress because of our belief in those core principles, which have served as our compass through the darkest of storms. That is why Lincoln could stand up in the midst of civil war and declare it a struggle to see whether any nation, conceived in liberty, and "dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" could long endure. That is why Dr. Martin Luther King could stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and ask that our nation live out the true meaning of its creed. That's why immigrants from China to Kenya could find a home on our shores; why opportunity is available to all who would work for it; and why someone like me, who less than 50 years ago would have had trouble voting in some parts of America, is now able to serve as its President.
And that is why America will always speak out for these core principles around the world. We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation, but we also don't believe that the principles that we stand for are unique to our nation. These freedoms of expression and worship -- of access to information and political participation -- we believe are universal rights. They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities -- whether they are in the United States, China, or any nation. Indeed, it is that respect for universal rights that guides America's openness to other countries; our respect for different cultures; our commitment to international law; and our faith in the future.
These are all things that you should know about America. I also know that we have much to learn about China. Looking around at this magnificent city -- and looking around this room -- I do believe that our nations hold something important in common, and that is a belief in the future. Neither the United States nor China is content to rest on our achievements. For while China is an ancient nation, you are also clearly looking ahead with confidence, ambition, and a commitment to see that tomorrow's generation can do better than today's.
In addition to your growing economy, we admire China's extraordinary commitment to science and research -- a commitment borne out in everything from the infrastructure you build to the technology you use. China is now the world's largest Internet user -- which is why we were so pleased to include the Internet as a part of today's event. This country now has the world's largest mobile phone network, and it is investing in the new forms of energy that can both sustain growth and combat climate change -- and I'm looking forward to deepening the partnership between the United States and China in this critical area tomorrow. But above all, I see China's future in you -- young people whose talent and dedication and dreams will do so much to help shape the 21st century.
I've said many times that I believe that our world is now fundamentally interconnected. The jobs we do, the prosperity we build, the environment we protect, the security that we seek -- all of these things are shared. And given that interconnection, power in the 21st century is no longer a zero-sum game; one country's success need not come at the expense of another. And that is why the United States insists we do not seek to contain China's rise. On the contrary, we welcome China as a strong and prosperous and successful member of the community of nations -- a China that draws on the rights, strengths, and creativity of individual Chinese like you.
To return to the proverb -- consider the past. We know that more is to be gained when great powers cooperate than when they collide. That is a lesson that human beings have learned time and again, and that is the example of the history between our nations. And I believe strongly that cooperation must go beyond our government. It must be rooted in our people -- in the studies we share, the business that we do, the knowledge that we gain, and even in the sports that we play. And these bridges must be built by young men and women just like you and your counterparts in America.
That's why I'm pleased to announce that the United States will dramatically expand the number of our students who study in China to 100,000. And these exchanges mark a clear commitment to build ties among our people, as surely as you will help determine the destiny of the 21st century. And I'm absolutely confident that America has no better ambassadors to offer than our young people. For they, just like you, are filled with talent and energy and optimism about the history that is yet to be written.
So let this be the next step in the steady pursuit of cooperation that will serve our nations, and the world. And if there's one thing that we can take from today's dialogue, I hope that it is a commitment to continue this dialogue going forward.
So thank you very much. And I look forward now to taking some questions from all of you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
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