古典文学翻译范例之一：红楼梦两种英译本之比较

古典文学翻译范例之一：红楼梦两种英译本之比较古典文学翻译范例之一：红楼梦两种英译本之比较 • Comparison between Two English Versions of Hongloumeng • The Dream of Red Mansions • (杨宪益译：Yang） • The Story of the Stone； • （Hawkes译)

【原文】 • 《红楼梦》（节选） • 第三回 • 金陵城起复贾雨村 • 荣国府收养林黛玉

杨译：CHAPTER 3 Lin Ju-hai Recommends a Tutor to His Brother-in-law The Lady Dowager Sends for Her Motherless Grand-Daughter 霍克斯译：CHAPTER 3 Lin Ru-hai recommends a private tutor to his brother-in-law And Old Lady Jia extends a compassionate welcome to the motherless child

那女学生黛玉,身体方愈,原不忍弃父而往,无奈他外祖母致意务在必去,且兼如海说: "汝父年将半百,再无续室之意,且汝多病,年又极小,上无亲母教养,下无姊妹兄弟扶持,今依傍外祖母及舅氏姊妹去,正好减我顾盼之忧,何反云不往?"

Yang: His pupil Tai-ju, who had just got over illness, could hardly bear to leave her father, but she had to comply with the wishes of her grandmother. “I am nearly fifty and don’t intend to marry again,” Ju-hai told her. “You are young and delicate, with no mother to take care of you, no sisters or brothers to look after you. If you go to stay with your grandmother and uncles’ girls, that will take a great load off my mind. How can you refuse?” Hawkes: At first his little pupil could not be persuaded to part from her father; but her grandmother was insistent that she should go, and Ru-hai added his own reasons. “I’m half a century old now, my dear, and I have no intention of taking a second wife; so there will be no one here to act as a mother to you. It isn’t either, as if you had sisters who could help to take care of you. You know how often you are poorly. And you are still very young. It would be a great weight off my mind to know that you had your Grandmother and your uncles’ girls to fall back on. I really think you ought to go.”

黛玉听了,方洒泪拜别,随了奶娘及荣府几个老妇人，登舟而去。雨村另有一只船,带两个小童,依附黛玉而行。黛玉听了,方洒泪拜别,随了奶娘及荣府几个老妇人，登舟而去。雨村另有一只船,带两个小童,依附黛玉而行。

Yang :So parting from him in a flood of tears, she embarked with her nurse and some elderly maid-servants from the Jung Mansion, followed by Yu-tsun and two pages in another junk. Hawkes: After this Dai-yu could only take a tearful leave of her father and go down to the boat with her nurse and the old women from the Rong mansion who had been sent to fetch her. There was a separate boat for Yu-cun and a couple of servant-boys to wait on him, and he too now embarked in the capacity of Dai-yu’s escort.

有日到了都中, 进入神京,雨村先整了衣冠,带了小童,拿着宗侄的名帖,至荣府的门前投了。彼时贾政已看了妹丈之书,即忙请入相会。

In due course they reached the capital and entered the city. Yu-tsun spruced himself up and went with his pages to the gate of the Jung Mansion , where he handed in his visiting-card on which he had styled himself Chia Cheng’s “nephew”. Chia Cheng, who had received his brother-in-law’s letter, lost no time in asking him in. In due course they arrived in the capital, and Yu-cun, dressed in his best and with the two servant-boys at his heels, betook himself to the gate of Rong mansion and handed in his visiting-card, on which he had been careful to prefix the word “kinsman” to his own name. By this time Jia Zheng had already seen his brother-in-law’s letter, and accorded him an interview without delay.

见雨村相貌魁伟,言语不俗,且这贾政最喜读书人, 礼贤下士,济弱扶危,大有祖风；况又系妹丈致意,因此优待雨村,更又不同,便竭力内中协助,

Yu-tsun cut an impressive figure and was by no means vulgar in his conversation. Since Chia Cheng was well-disposed to scholars and, like his grandfather before him, delighted in honoring worthy men of letters and helping those in distress, and since moreover his brother-in-law had recommended Yu-tsun, he treated him uncommonly well and did all his power to help him. Yu-cun’s imposing looks and cultivated speech made an excellent impression on Jia Zheng, who was in any case always well-disposed towards scholars, and preserved much of his grandfather’s affability with men of letters and readiness to helpe them in any sort of trouble or distress. And since his own inclinations were in this case reinforced by his brother-in-law’s strong recommendation, the treatment he extended to Yu-cun was exceptionally favourable.

题奏之日,轻轻谋了一个复职候缺,不上两个月,金陵应天府缺出,便谋补了此缺,拜辞了贾政,择日上任去了。不在话下。题奏之日,轻轻谋了一个复职候缺,不上两个月,金陵应天府缺出,便谋补了此缺,拜辞了贾政,择日上任去了。不在话下。

The same day that he presented a petition to the throne Yu-tsun was rehabilitated and ordered to await an appointment. In less than two months he was sent to Chinling to fill the vacanted post of prefect of Yingtien. Taking leave of Chia Cheng he chose a day to proceed to his new post. But no more of this. He exerted himself on his behalf to such good effect that on the very day his petition was presented Yu-cun’s reinstatement was approved, and before two months were out he was appointed to the magistracy of Ying-tian-fu in Nanking. Thither, having chosen a suitable day on which to commence his journey, and having first taken his leave of Jia Zheng, he now repaired to take up his duties. But of him, for the time being, no more.

且说黛玉自那日弃舟登岸时,便有荣国府打发了轿子并拉行李的车辆久候了。这林黛玉常听得母亲说过, 他外祖母家与别家不同。他近日所见的这几个三等仆妇,吃穿用度,已是不凡了,何况今至其家。

To return to Tai-yu. When she disembarked, a sedan-chair from the Jung Mansion and carts for her luggage were waiting in readiness. She had heard a great deal from her mother about the magnificence of her grandmother’s home; and during the last few days she had been impressed by the food, costumes and behaviour of the relatively low-ranking attendants escorting her. She had often heard her mother say that her Grandmother Jia’s home was not like other people’s houses. The servants she had been in contact with during the past few days were comparatively low-ranking ones in the domestic hierarchy, yet the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and everything about them was quite out of the ordinary. Dai-yu tried to imagine what the people who had employed these superior beings must be like. On the day of her arrival in the capital, Tai-yu stepped ashore to find covered chairs from the Rong mansion for her and her women and a cart for the luggage ready waiting on the quay.

因此步步留心,时时在意,不肯轻易多说一句话,多行一步路,惟恐被人耻笑了去。自上了轿,进入城中，从纱窗向外瞧了一瞧,其街市之繁华, 人烟之阜盛,自与别处不同。

She must watch her step in her new home, she decided, be on guard every moment and weigh every word, so as not to be laughed at for any foolish blunder. As she was carried into the city she peeped out through the gauze window of the chair at the bustle in the streets and the crowds of people, the like of which she had never seen before. When she arrived at their house she would have to watch every step she took and weigh every word she said, for if she put a foot wrong they would surely laugh her to scorn. Dai-yu got into her chair and was soon carried through the city walls. Peeping through the gauze panel which served as a window, she could see streets and buildings more rich and elegant and throngs of people more lively and numerous than she had ever seen in her life before.

又行了半日,忽见街北蹲着两个大石狮子,三间兽头大门,门前列坐着十来个华冠丽服之人。正门却不开,只有东西两角门有人出入。正门之上有一匾,匾上大书"敕造宁国府"五个大字。

After what seemed a long time they came to a street with two huge stone lions crouching on the north side, flanking a great triple gate with beast-head knockers, in front of which ten or more men in smart livery were sitting. The central gate was shut, but people were passing in and out of the smaller side gates. On a board above the main gate was written in large characters: Ningkuo Mansion Built at Imperial Command. After being carried for what seemed to be a very great length of time, she saw, on the north front of the east-west street through which they were passing, two great stone lions crouched on each side of a triple gateway whose doors were embellished with animal-heads. In front of the gateway ten or so splendidly dressed flunkeys sat in arrow. The center of the three gates was closed, but people were going in and out of the two side ones. There was a board above the center gate on which were written in large characters the words: NING-GUO HOUSE Founded and Constructed by Imperial Command

黛玉想道:这必是外祖之长房了。想着,又往西行,不多远,照样也是三间大门,方是荣国府了。却不进正门,只进了西边角门。 那轿夫抬进去,走了一射之地,将转弯时,便歇下退出去了。

Tai-yu realized that this must be where the elder branch of her Grandmother’s family lived. A little further to the west they came to another imposing triple gate. This was the Jung Mansion. Instead of going through the main gate, they entered by the smaller one on the west. The bearers carried the chair a bow-shot further, then set it down at a turning and withdrew. Ignoring the central gate, her bearers went in by the eastern entrance and after traversing the distance of a bowshot inside, half turned a corner and set the chair down. The chairs of her female attendants which were following behind were set down simultaneously and the old women got out. The places of Dai-yu’s bearers were taken by four handsome, fresh-faced pages of seventeen or eighteen. They shouldered her chair and, with the old women now following on foot, carried it as far as an ornamental inner gate. There they set it down again and then retired in respectful silence.

后面的婆子们已都下了轿,赶上前来。另换了三四个衣帽周全十七八岁的小厮上来,复抬起轿子。众婆子步下围随至一垂花门前落下。众小厮退出,众婆子上来打起轿帘,扶黛玉下轿。

The maid-servants behind Tai-yu had now alighted and were proceeding on foot. Three or four smartly dressed lads of seventeen or eighteen picked up the chair and, followed by the maids, carried it to a gate decorated with overhanging flowery patterns carved in wood. There the bearers withdrew, the maids raised the curtain of the chair, helped Tai-yu out and supported her through the gate. The places of Dai-yu’s bearers were taken by four handsome, fresh-faced pages of seventeen or eighteen. They shouldered her chair and, with the old women now following on foot, carried it as far as an ornamental inner gate. There they set it down again and then retired in respectful silence. The old women came forward to the front of the chair, held up the curtain, and helped Dai-yu to get out.

林黛玉扶着婆子的手,进了垂花门,两边是抄手游廊,当中是穿堂,当地放着一个紫檀架子大理石的大插屏。 转过插屏,小小的三间厅,厅后就是后面的正房大院。正面五间上房,皆雕梁画栋, 两边穿山游廊厢房,挂着各色鹦鹉、画眉等鸟雀。

Inside, verandahs on both sides led to a three-roomed entrance hall in the middle of which stood a screen of marble in a red sandalwood frame. The hall gave access to the large court of the main building. In front were five rooms with carved beams and painted pillars, and on either side were rooms with covered passageways. Cages of brilliantly coloured parrots, thrushes and other birds hung under the eaves of the verandahs. Each hand resting on the outstretched hand of an elderly attendant, Dai-yu passed through the ornamental gate into a courtyard which balustraded loggias running along its sides and a covered passage-way through the center. The foreground of the courtyard beyond was partially hidden by a screen of polished marble set in an elaborate red sandalwood frame. Passing round the screen and through a small reception hall beyond it, they entered the large courtyard of the mansion’s principal apartments. These were housed in an imposing five-frame building resplendent with carved and painted beams and rafters which faced them across the courtyard. Running along either side of the courtyard were galleries hung with cages containing a variety of different-coloured parrots, cockatoos, white-eyes, and other birds.

台矶之上,坐着几个穿红着绿的丫头,一见他们来了,便忙都笑迎上来,说:"刚才老太太还念呢,可巧就来了。"于是三四人争着打起帘笼,一面听得人回话:"林姑娘到了。"台矶之上,坐着几个穿红着绿的丫头,一见他们来了,便忙都笑迎上来,说:"刚才老太太还念呢,可巧就来了。"于是三四人争着打起帘笼,一面听得人回话:"林姑娘到了。"

Several maids dressed in red and green rose from the terrace and hurried to greet them with smiles. “The old lady was just talking about you,” they cried. “And here you are.” Three or four of them ran to raise the door-curtain, and a voice could be heard announcing, “Miss Lin is here.” Some gaily-dressed maids were sitting on the steps of the main building opposite. At the appearance of the visitors they rose to their feet and came forward with smiling faces to welcome them. “You’ve come just at the right time! Lady Jia was only this moment asking about you.” Three or four of them ran to life up the door-curtain, while another of them announced in loud tones, “Miss Lin is here!”

黛玉方进入房时,只见两个人搀着一位鬓发如银的老母迎上来,黛玉便知是他外祖母。方欲拜见时,早被他外祖母一把搂入怀中,“心肝儿肉”叫着大哭起来。

As Tai-yu entered, a silver-haired old lady supported by two maids advanced to meet her. She knew that this must be her grandmother, but before she could kowtow the old lady threw both arms around her. “Dear heart! Flesh of my child!” she cried, and burst out sobbing. As Dai-yu entered the room she saw a silver-haired old lady advancing to meet her, supported on either side by a servant. She knew that this must be her Grandmother Jia and would have fallen on her knees and made her kotow, but before she could do so her grandmother had caught her in her arms and pressing her to her bosom with cries of “My pet!” and “My poor lamb!” burst into loud sobs,

当下地下侍立之人,无不掩面涕泣,黛玉也哭个不住。一时众人慢慢解劝住了,黛玉方拜见了外祖母。此即冷子兴所云之史氏太君,贾赦贾政之母也。当下贾母一一指与黛玉:"这是你大舅母, 这是你二舅母,这是你先珠大哥的媳妇珠大嫂子。"黛玉一一拜见过。……

All the attendants covered their faces and wept, and Tai-yu herself could not keep back her tears. When at last the others prevailed on her to stop, Tai-yu made her kowtow to her grandmother. This was the Lady Dowager From the Shih family mentioned by Leng Tzuhsing, the mother of Chia Sheh and Chia Cheng, who now introduced the family one by one. “This,” she said, “is your elder uncle’s wife. This is your second uncle’s wife. This is the wife of your late Cousin Chu.” Tai-yu greeted each in turn. while all those present wept in sympathy, and Dai-yu felt herself crying as though she would never stop. It was some time before those present succeeded in calming them both down and Dai-yu was at last able to make her kotow. Grandmother Jia now introduced those present. “This is your elder uncle’s wife, Aunt Xing. This is you uncle Zheng’s wife, Aunt Wang. Thia is Li Wan, the wife of your cousin Zhu, who died.” Dai-yu kotowed to each of them in turn.

众人见黛玉年貌虽小,其举止言谈不俗,身体面庞虽怯弱不胜,却有一段自然风流态度,……众人见黛玉年貌虽小,其举止言谈不俗,身体面庞虽怯弱不胜,却有一段自然风流态度,……

… All present had been struck by Tai-yu’s good breeding. For in spite of her tender years and evident delicate health, she had an air of natural distinction. … … Everyone’s attention now centred on Dai-yu. They observed that although she was still young, her speech and manner already showed unusual refinement. They also noticed the frail body which seemed scarcely strong enough to bear the weight of its clothes, but which yet had an inexpressible grace about it, …

古典文学翻译范例之一： 红楼梦两种英译本之比较