参考翻译:
The Chopsticks
Chopsticks, invented by ancient Chinese people, area kind of tableware with distinct national features,being an important component that reflects thecharacteristics of Chinese diet culture. The historyof using chopsticks in China dates back to the Shang Dynasty, more than 3,000 years ago.Chopsticks, the quintessence of Chinese culture, whose lightness and flexibility develop aschool of its own among various tableware all over the world, are praised as “EasternCivilization” by the westerners. All those people who have ever used chopsticks, no matterChinese or foreigners, marvel at their convenience, excellent quality and reasonable price.
1.追溯到:应译为date back to...要注意在使用这一短语时,通常使用一般现在时,并且要用主动语态,而非被动语态。
2.中国国粹:应译为the quintessence of Chineseculture。“国粹”,即某一国家文化的精髓,所以使用quintessence—词表达最为恰当。
3.轻巧又灵活:“轻巧”指的是筷子本身重量较轻,便于使用,所以用lightness来表达;“灵活”翻译为flexibility。在翻译此类短语时要注意根据语境把握词语的准确含义,进而寻找最恰当的词语来表达。
4.独树一帜:可译为develop a school of its own, “发展一个属于自己的流派”,就是“独树一帜”,这种非常地道的表达方式应该注意多积累。
5.物美价廉:该词可以有很多种翻译方式,可译为excellent quality and reasonable price,或者简单地译为 cheap and fine。