中国文学英译絮谈

沙枫

《史记》的简练译文

杨宪益夫妇翻译小说（如《阿Q正传》），翻译诗词（如《离骚》），翻译戏剧（如《打渔杀家》），也翻译史学著作（如《史记》）。

他们翻译了《史记》三十一篇。现介绍一篇《孙子吴起列传》如下。原文是这样开头的：

孙子武者，齐人也。以兵法见于吴王阖庐。阖庐曰：“子之十三篇，吾尽观之矣，可以小试勒兵乎？”对曰：“可。”阖庐曰：“可试以妇人乎？”曰：“可。”

译文如下：

Sun Wu, a native of Chi, gained an audience with King Ho-lu of Wu on the strength of his military theory.
"I have read all thirteen chapters of your book," said the King. "Will you train a few troops as an experiment?"
"Very well," replied Sun Wu.
"Will you try with women?"
"If you wish."

原文是简练的，译文也简练。

现将《孙子兵法》译者英人 Griffith 的译文列后，以便作一比较。

Sun Tzu was a native of Chi who by means of his book on the art of war secured an audience with Ho-lu, King of Wu.
Ho-lu said, "I have read your thirty chapters, Sir, in their entirety. Can you conduct a minor experiment in control of the movement of troops?"
Sun Tzu replied, "I can."
Ho-lu asked, "Can you conduct this test using women?"
Sun Tzu replied, "Yes."

可以一提的是，英人 Griffith 所用的三个“Can”字，是中国人惯用的直译。而杨宪益夫妇所用的“Will”，“Very Well”，“If you wish”等语，则是英人所惯用的。

现再举《孙子吴起列传》的今译文于后，（编者省略其后内容）•••••••