《論語》英譯散論六則(下)
四、吾少也賤,故多能鄙事
語出《論語·子罕篇》。子聞之,曰:“太宰知我乎!吾少也賤,故多能鄙事。君子多乎哉?不多也。”
這里的“賤”(出身卑微),劉殿爵和威利都用humble來譯:
I was of humble station when young. That is why I am skilled in many menial things. (劉殿爵譯:《論語(中英文對照)》,中華書局,2008,頁143;以下引自該譯本譯文,只注頁碼)
When I was young I was in humble circumstances; that is why I have many practical accomplishments in regard to simple, everyday matters. (威利譯:《論語:漢英對照》,外語教學(xué)與研究出版社,1998,頁107;以下引自該譯本譯文,只注頁碼)
劉殿爵將“少也賤”譯作“(be of) humble station when young”是下了功夫的。(剩余3444字)