又一屆CATTI考試落下了帷幕，小伙伴們一定都在急切地等待著考試成績(jī)的公布，由此證明自己的水平。記得很多年前讀過(guò)翻譯大師寫的一本雜談，他把譯者分為三個(gè)等級(jí)：一等譯者為經(jīng)驗(yàn)豐富、態(tài)度端正者當(dāng)屬；二等譯者經(jīng)驗(yàn)欠佳，但態(tài)度端正；三等譯者為缺乏經(jīng)驗(yàn)、態(tài)度惡劣之輩。這自然與考試的評(píng)判標(biāo)準(zhǔn)大相徑庭，卻多多少少反映出了一些困擾譯界的現(xiàn)實(shí)問(wèn)題。通過(guò)翻譯考試，拿上期待許久的翻譯資格證書，是否就代表自己能勝任翻譯工作了？有多少人能安下心來(lái)，踏踏實(shí)實(shí)地長(zhǎng)久履行自己作為文字工作者的職責(zé)與品行？除技術(shù)上的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)之外，還有什么能助使我們練就出一身硬功夫？對(duì)于個(gè)人而言，張良的故事或許能帶給我們一些啟迪。
Another CATTI session has come to a close. You, dear reader, must have been anxiously waiting for the release of test scores, a proof of your translation skills. Many years ago, I stumbled upon a collection of short essays by an expert translator. In it, as I remember, the author put translators into three categories: Grade One are translators with both rich experiences and admirable attitudes; Grade Two, only with the latter; and Grade Three, with none. Of course, this is hugely different from the official test criteria, but more or less it reflects some issues that harrow the translation community. Can one be regarded as able to take on translation work when s/he has passed the test and has been issued the long-anticipated certificate? How many of the successful candidates can settle down and remain dutiful and honorable as linguists in weeks, months, and years to come? Apart from technical assessment, what else can beef up our skills? Hope the following story will personally provoke some constructive thoughts on these questions.
故事發(fā)生在秦朝，距今已有兩千兩百多年。主人公名叫張良，字子房，原是韓國(guó)貴公子，后因在博浪沙行刺秦始皇未遂，成功逃避追捕，隱姓埋名居住在下邳。
The story took place in the Qin Dynasty nearly two thousand and two hundred years ago. The protagonist was named Zhang Zifang, a well-known statesman and a descendant of a noble family in the State of Han during the Spring and Autumn Period. He had failed at his plot to avenge the destruction of the State of Han by killing the First Emperor of Qin in Bolangsha. He got away with it by using fake identities and thus lived a fugitive life in Xiapi.
一日，張良在下邳附近的圯水橋上散步。這時(shí)，一位身穿粗布短衣的老人，走到張良面前，故意將鞋甩到橋下。他瞪著張良說(shuō)道：“小子，下去把鞋給我撿上來(lái)！”
“孺子!下取履!”
One day, Zhang took a stroll on the Yishui Bridge near Xiapi. There he met an old man in rough clothes. The old man walked up to him, chucked one of his shoes down the bridge on purpose, and yelled at Zhang, “Hey, boy, go down and fetch me my shoe!”
張良驚愕不已，本想將他痛扁一頓，但轉(zhuǎn)念一想，尊重長(zhǎng)者是美德。于是，他強(qiáng)忍怒火，只得下橋取鞋。
Zhang was astonished. The old man’s manners annoyed him so much that he wanted to give him beans. But then on second thought he decided to help because he regarded respect for the elderly as a moral virtue.
那老人還不滿意，又對(duì)張良說(shuō)：“來(lái)！把鞋給我穿上！”
The old man then lifted his foot and demanded, “Boy, put on the shoe for me.”
“履我!”
張良想，好事做到底，便跪下替老人穿鞋。老人穿上鞋之后，未表示謝意，大笑著離去。張良感到莫名其妙，望著老人的背影發(fā)呆。
Zhang thought he should honor him all the way through, so he bent over to put on the shoe. The old man showed no sign of gratitude and walked away laughing, leaving Zhang standing there and staring after him in bewilderment.
那老人走了很遠(yuǎn)，又返回來(lái)，對(duì)張良說(shuō)：“孺子可教也。五天后拂曉之時(shí)，來(lái)這里與我見面?！?/span>
“孺子可教矣！后五日平明，與我會(huì)此?！?/b>
The old man turned back after walking a distance and said, “This child is good enough to be taught!” With that he asked Zhang to meet him on the bridge again at dawn five days later.
張良聽罷，雖然心中疑竇叢生，但仍然答應(yīng)。
Still bewildered, Zhang nevertheless agreed.
五日后，天色剛亮，張良按時(shí)前往，發(fā)現(xiàn)對(duì)方早已在橋邊等候。老人生氣地說(shuō)：“與長(zhǎng)者見面，反而晚到，這是何道理？五天之后早點(diǎn)來(lái)見我！”
“與老人期，后，何也? 后五日早會(huì)?！?/b>
Five days later, Zhang arrived at the stroke of dawn, but the old man was already waiting for him on the bridge. The old man chided him, “How can you be late for meeting with an elderly man? Come back again five days later!”
又過(guò)了五日，晨雞報(bào)曉之時(shí)，張良便趕到橋上。不料老人又先到了，他怒氣沖沖地說(shuō)道：“你又來(lái)晚了。五天之后再早點(diǎn)來(lái)！”
”后，何也? 后五日復(fù)早來(lái)。“
This time Zhang hurried to the bridge upon roosters crowing in the early morning, but the old man still arrived earlier than him. He was scorned once more, “You are late again. Come back again five days later!”
又過(guò)五日，張良不到半夜便趕到了橋上等候老人。過(guò)了一會(huì)兒，老人才緩緩走到橋上，看到張良心中歡喜，說(shuō)：“小伙子，這樣才對(duì)！”
“當(dāng)如是?！?/b>
The third time, Zhang set off to the bridge at midnight and waited until the old man showed up. It was not a while later that the old man walked onto the bridge and rejoiced at Zhang’s early arrival, “Good job, boy!”
老人十分欣賞張良堅(jiān)韌、謙遜的態(tài)度，拿出《太公兵法》，說(shuō)道：“你讀完這部書便可成就一番大業(yè)，作帝王之師?！?nbsp;
“讀此則為王者師矣?！?/b>
Impressed by Zhang's fortitude and humility, the old man presented Zhang with a book titled Art of War by Jiang Taigong, saying, “You can counsel an emperor after reading this book.”
老人說(shuō)罷便揚(yáng)長(zhǎng)而去。
Then he left without looking back.
后來(lái)，張良潛心研讀《太公兵法》，收獲頗豐，成為漢高祖劉邦手下的重要謀士，與蕭何、韓信一同被譽(yù)為“漢初三杰”，為劉邦建立漢朝立下了汗馬功勞。
Zhang immersed himself in this book and learned a great deal from it. Before long, he started to counsel Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty. Eventually, Zhang made history as one of the “Three Heroes of the early Han Dynasty”, along with Han Xin and Xiao He, for his outstanding service to the emperor.
重溫了這個(gè)家喻戶曉的故事，不知小伙伴們有什么感想？翻譯工作何嘗不是這位長(zhǎng)者，難以對(duì)付，要求嚴(yán)苛，唯有拿出100%的耐心，以謙遜誠(chéng)懇的態(tài)度對(duì)待它，拋開功利，不計(jì)得失，周而復(fù)始，長(zhǎng)此以往，方可成就一番事業(yè)。加油！
Now we have revisited this popular legend, any thoughts? Isn’t the old man an effective embodiment of a career in translation? One in which difficult and intense tasks are often assigned, demanding our utmost patience, humility, and stamina. One that cures us of any utilitarian and egotistical desires. One that repeatedly throws hard work into the future. Therein lies a greatness that can be achieved down the road. More power to your elbow!
?。ǜ兄x清夢(mèng)smile為本文提供歷史素材和專業(yè)見解。）
(Much thanks to Crystal for providing historic fodder and professional insight as reflected herein.)
?。g迎各界朋友對(duì)本專欄提寶貴意見和建議！）
(Any comments or suggestions are welcome!)
