最经典搞笑中国式英语100句(5)

[误] Although other people never take her seriousy, she is the pearl on her father's hand at home。

[正] Although other people never take her seriousy, she is the apple of her father's eye at home。

注：中英文常用不同的喻体表明相同的喻义，“掌上明珠”与 the apple of one's eye 就是一个很好的例子。这种情况我们一般应尊重各国文化和习俗，翻译时取目的语的固定说法，而不必直译，这有助于将意思更有效地传达给读者。the apple of one's eye 源自圣经《旧约》，当时人们用 apple 指人的瞳孔。尽管瞳孔现在已经用 pupil 来表示，不再是 apple 了，但这一用法却延续了下来。

16.都十点钟了。起床了，懒虫！

[误] It's ten o'clock. Get up, lazy worm!

[正] It's ten o'clock. Get up, lazy bones!

注：“懒虫”并非真是一条虫，只不过被用来形容人很懒惰罢了。英语里与之对应的说法是 lazy bones(懒骨头)。注意，这里的 bone 应以复数形式出现，也许是因为不会只有一根骨头懒吧！

17.我唯一的资本就是勤奋。

[误] My only capital is diligence。

[正] My only means to success is diligence。

注：原文的“资本”是借喻，实际指“可以依靠并取得成功的手段”。而英语的 capital 指 money used to produce more wealth or for starting a business，并没有中文那样的引申意思。所以，这里的“资本”不能与 capital 画等号。也有人用 advantage 来翻译“资本”，虽然不尽意，但至少可以让读者理解。

18.这家商店开辟了休息处，受到顾客的称赞。

[误] This department store has set up a resting-place, much to the customers' appreciation。

[正] This department store has set up a lounge, much to the customers' appreciation。