以下是我的参考译文和一些说明:
“阿呆给领导送红包,两人的对话颇有意思——
Mr. Dull is handing over a Hongbao* to his boss. The following conversation between Mr. Dull and his boss is meaning ⑴:
领导:你这是什么意思?
Boss: What do you mean by this?
阿呆:没什么意思,意思意思;
Mr. Dull: Meaningless(2),but this is meant (3)for you。
领导:你这就不够意思了;
Boss: Then you are mean(4).
阿呆:小意思小意思;
Mr. Dull: Reasonable means(5)!
领导:你这人真有意思;
Boss:You really mean something!
阿呆:其实也没有别的意思;
Mr. Dull: By no means(6)!
领导:那我就不好意思了;
Boss: Then I am mean(7).
阿呆:是我不好意思!”
Mr. Dull: Actually I am mean(8)!
说明Notes:
l Hongbao: Red paper envelope containing money as a gift, tip, or bonus. But in cettain circumtances, Hongbao can also mean bribe to someone who can bring benefit to the people giving the Hongbao.
l 原文的“意思“是双关,译文围绕着英语单词mean的不同词性和不同词形来表示中文的“意思”的不同意思。
⑴ meaning: 形容词,意味深长的。
(2) meaningless: 形容词,无意义的。
(3) mean: 动词,预定。这句话的意思是“这是准备给你的(礼物)”。
(4) mean: 形容词,麻烦的,讨厌的。
(5) reasonable means: 词组,合理的手段。
(6) by no means: 短语,绝不,并没有。
(7),(8) mean: 形容词,不好意思的,惭愧的。
以下把英文译文单独列出,以便阅读:
Mr. Dull is handing over a Hongbao* to his boss. The following conversation between Mr. Dull and his boss is meaning:
Boss: What do you mean by this?
Mr. Dull: Meaningless,but this is meant for you。
Boss: Then you are mean.
Mr. Dull: Reasonable means!
Boss:You really mean something!
Mr. Dull: By no means!
Boss: Then I am mean.
Mr. Dull: Actually I am mean!
评论