我为什么要重译《弟子规》？
感谢作者赐稿
覃军/湖北民族学院
翻译家曹明伦教授在研究生课堂上多次强调，“重译是必要，也是必须的，但在重译前首先要问自己为何要重译”。笔者很赞成曹明伦教授的观点。就重译《弟子规》来说，我想大约有以下几点。
一、《弟子规》原名《训蒙文》，为清朝康熙年间秀才李毓秀所作，其内容采用《论语》“学而篇”第六条“弟子，入则孝，出则悌，谨而信，泛爱众，而亲仁，行有余力，则以学文”的文义，融汇了古代圣贤对青少年的训诫，包含了孝敬父母、尊敬长辈、关爱兄弟、修身养性、为人处世、读书求学等基本礼仪规范，是启蒙养正的最佳读物之一，也是中华文化很重要的一部分。
华裔学者冯欣明教授居北美50余年，长期从事中华文化推介与研究工作，《弟子规》是他在北美公开课必谈内容。在给笔者的来信中，冯教授谈道，“现在多数人只能看到被歪曲了的中华传统，所以华人孩子们特别容易受害。如果思想没有被一些好像《弟子规》所提供的、对中华文化正确的认识武装起来，华人孩子长大后便会对自己的传统文化、对自己的父母、乃至对自己，感觉羞耻，便没有足够的自尊心和内在力量来做个好的和聪明能干的人。中华文化传统并不限于功夫、中国菜、中国服饰、或国画。更为重要，中华文化包含了一个几千年长久的思维传统，包罗了思想、哲学、规范、道德等，在很多重要方面都是独特的。正是这中华传统的思维部分，对华人的认同、自豪和自信最为重要。”因此，《弟子规》的外译必要性不言而喻。
二、杨炳均先生曾说到，“译本比较是评价翻译的一种有效手段。”在笔者动笔翻译前，我曾查阅了《弟子规》现有英译本的情况。其中流传较广的版本有James Legge译本，郭著章译本，顾丹柯译本（据说王宝童先生也译了部分内容，因尚未出版，无法考证）。其中James Legge译本和郭著章译本均是采取的阐释性方法翻译的，换句话说，译文只是对原文的一种解释，完全抛开了原文的语言形式。《弟子规》之所以成为蒙学读物之经典，不仅仅是因为其思想内容，也因为其“三字一句，合辙押韵”的语言形式。皮之不存，毛将焉附？如果译文完全脱离这种语言形式，译文的传播效果也会大打折扣。另外，顾丹柯先生的译本虽然采用了诗性翻译法，但是，其译文也没有保留“三字一句”的语言结构。关于这一点，许渊冲先生主张，“译诗要做到‘三美’，意美、音美、形美。”即译诗要传达原诗的意义，要保留原诗的韵律，要和原诗保持同样的形式。只有做到这三点，译文才能算是“戴着音韵和节奏的镣铐跳舞”，才能舞出优美舞姿、灵活自如、令人称快。
三、在拙作《英文弟子规（三词韵译）》出版后，外文出版社也出版了《英韵：三字经·弟子规·千字文》。由于该书仍未上架，到目前笔者仍没有购买到此书。但在微信公众号“语言与翻译”推文中已经能查到该书中“弟子规”部分的译文。该译文采用了“三词对应三字”的a/a/b/b韵译方式，在“音美”、“形美”上相当出色，超过了前面提及的三个译本。但是在“达意”方面稍逊一筹。我们知道，许渊冲先生在论及“三美”原则时，“意美”总是处于领先地位，忠实地传递原文信息仍是翻译的第一要务。“音美”与“形美”固然重要，但“若翻译时出现内容和形式不能兼得的情况，我赞同奈达的建议，‘舍弃的应该是形式，而非内容’。”（曹明伦语，见《关于中国诗歌英译的一点思考》一文）周红民教授在《中国古典诗歌翻译：究竟为谁而译？——从诗译批评说起》一文中就曾批评这种音韵害译的译法，他说道，有些译者对韵的追求，“已经到了痴迷的程度，译者不遗余力地在译入语中寻找对应或替代的方式”，以期译文能够以韵体形式出现。
总之，不管翻译研究如何转向，翻译本体从未转向。翻译之所以为翻译，就必须要本着“换易言语使相解，思维沟通信达雅”的原则来进行。当然，译文若能在“使相解”的基础上“使相悦”，这既是对译者的一种考验，也是译者的一种自我锻炼和追求。我想，这便是我重译《弟子规》的目的了。
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覃军，四川大学在读博士，任教于湖北民族学院，主要研究方向为诗歌翻译、歌曲配译。曾为多语种诗刊《世界诗人(The WorldPoets)》客座副总编。
《英文弟子规（三词韵译）》（节选）
【导言】
《弟子规》原名《训蒙文》，为清朝康熙年间秀才李毓秀所作,其内容采用《论语》“学而篇”第六条“弟子，入则孝，出则悌，谨而信，泛爱众，而亲仁，行有余力，则以学文”的文义，列述弟子在家、外出、接物、待人与学习上应该恪守的守则规范。其中“弟子”的理解可以与时俱进。在家指孩子；在学校指学生；在公司指员工；在单位指下级；在社会，指公民。《弟子规》是集中国传统家训、家规、家教之大成，被誉为人生第一规，是做人之根本。
As one of the most popular primers inChina, Guidelines for Children (Dizi Gui) was written by Li Yuxiu in theQing Dynasty during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1661-1722). It is based onthe ancient teaching of the Chinese philosopher Confucius that emphasizes thebasic requisites for being a good person and guidelines for living in harmonywith people. The Chinese version was written in three-character verses for thesake of smooth reading. To keep the original style, the English translation isalso written in three-word verses without the loss of content, in order to helpthe English readers not only understand the text but also capture the essenceof Chinese civilization that belongs both to China and to the whole world.
【音频】
《英文弟子规》中英文朗诵音频
【节选】
弟子规
圣人训
首孝悌
次谨信
Children should abide
By Confucius’ guide:
Respect elders ’n parent;
Be trustworthy 'n prudent.
【释义】
《弟子规》这本书是孔子对学生的生活规范。首先要孝顺父母，尊敬兄长，其次要做到言语行为小心谨慎而讲信用。
This book consists of the guidelines handed down byancient sages on being a good student and child. First of all, be filial toyour own parents and respectful to all of your elders; then be trustworthy andcautious.
泛爱众
而亲仁
有余力
则学文
Love for humanity;
Learn from morality.
Accomplish these then,
You study 'n learn.
【释义】
平等博爱，广泛地爱众人，并亲近有仁德的人，向他们学习。如果还有多余的时间与精力，就应该去读书做学问。
Love all people equally and to be close to and learnfrom people of virtue and compassion. Whatever time you have left should bedevoted to learning.
父母呼
应勿缓
父母命
行勿懒
Whenparents order,
Quick to answer.
Whenparents say,
Dowithout delay.
【释义】
父母呼唤你时，应该及时应答；父母交代去做的事情，应该立刻动身去做，不要推辞偷懒。
When your parent is calling you or asking you to do something,do not be slow to respond them, nor be lazy or sulky to do the job.
父母教
须敬听
父母责
须顺承
Be allears
Toinstructions 'o Dears.
Whenreproached by,
Acceptand comply.
【释义】
对于父母的教诲，应当恭敬聆听；面对父母的批评，应当态度端正，顺从接受。
When your parents instruct you, you should listenrespectfully. When your parents reproach you, you should obey and accept withfaithful compliance.
冬则温
夏则凊
晨则省
昏则定
Make beddings better
Accordingto th’ weather.
Givethem greeting
Atmorning ’n evening.
【释义】
冬天要让父母的被窝暖和，夏天要让父母的被窝凉爽。每天早晨要跟父母请安，夜晚要服侍父母就寝。
Make sure that your parents’ beddings are warm inthe winter, and cool in the summer. In the morning, you should greet them. Atnight, you should make sure your parents rest well.
出必告
反必面
居有常
业无变
When come ’n go,
Let parents know,
Where you live,
What you achieve.
【释义】
出门前，应该告诉父母自己的去向，免得父母担忧；回到家，应该先当面见一下父母，报个平安。居住的地方要固定，生活要有规律，做事要有恒心，不要随意更换工作。
Tell your parents if you plan to go out; report tothem when you get back. Settle down in one certain place with a routine life;don’t switch from one job to another but persist in whatever you do.
事虽小
勿擅为
苟擅为
子道亏
No things evil
Are too trivial.
Keep these away,
Dutiful you’ll stay.
【释义】
事情虽小，也不要擅自作主和行动；擅自行动造成错误，让父母担忧，有失做子女的本分。
A matter might be trivial, but if it is wrong to do,you must not do it. If you act just as you please, your parents would not wantto see you doing things that are irrational or illegal.
物虽小
勿私藏
苟私藏
亲心伤
Things even small.
Get 'em by law.
Stealing is bad,
Makes parents sad.
【释义】
东西虽小，不要私自把它们藏起来。如果私藏东西，父母知道后，一定会感到很伤心的。
Although a thing may be small, do not save it justfor yourself. For if you hide things for yourself, you will hurt your parents’hearts.
亲所好
力为具
亲所恶
谨为去
Tryhard t’ offer
Whatparents favor.
Dispose with care
Their offensive affair.
【释义】
父母喜欢的东西，应该尽力去准备齐全；父母厌恶的东西，应该小心谨慎地处理掉。
If whatever pleases your parents is reasonable, youshould try your best to get it for them. If something displeases your parentswithin reason, you should cautiously keep it away from them.
身有伤
贻亲忧
德有伤
贻亲羞
Your hurt body
Makes parents worry;
Your immoral claim
Brings them shame.
【释义】
自己的身体受到伤害，必然会引起父母忧虑；如果是名声品德上有问题，必然会令父母蒙羞受辱。
If you carelessly injure your body, your parentswill worry about you. While if your virtues are compromised, you bring shameand disgrace to them.
亲爱我
孝何难
亲憎我
孝方贤
If parents’re kind,
Piety in mind;
Test comes when
They’re hateful men.
【释义】
如果父母对你很慈爱，孝敬父母不是什么难事；但如果父母很憎恨你，你还能对父母心存孝意，这才是难能可贵的。
When your parents are loving and kind, of courseit’s not difficult to be filial to your parents. But the true test of being a filialson comes when your parents are hateful and cruel.
亲有过
谏使更
怡吾色
柔吾声
When parents’re astray,
Mend their way,
With face pleasing,
And voice caring.
【释义】
如果父母有过错，应该努力劝说父母改正，劝导时应该和颜悦色、态度诚恳，说话的语气要轻柔。
If you recognize faults in your parents, you shouldurge them to change for the better and speak with a kind facial expression anda warm gentle voice.
亲有疾
药先尝
昼夜侍
不离床
Parents are ill,
Get them pill;
Staybedside there;
Takethem care.
【释义】
父母生病时，要替父母先尝药的冷热；应该尽力昼夜服侍，不离开床前。
When your parents are ill, you should taste themedicine first before giving it to them. You should take care of them day andnight and do not leave them alone.
丧三年
常悲咽
居处变
酒肉绝
Parent’s passed away,
Mournful you stay;
Bread and water
Make your dinner.
【释义】
父母去世之后，要守孝三年，经常追思、感怀父母的养育之恩；改变生活起居，戒酒戒肉。
For three years after your parents have passed away,you should remember them with gratitude in sadness for not being able to repaythem for their kindness. During this period you should live simply and notadorn your home. And also avoid merry-making and indulgence in food andalcoholic drinks.
丧尽礼
祭尽诚
事死者
如事生
Funeral, be ritual,
Memorial, be real.
To parents departed,
Kindness deep hearted.
【释义】
办理父母的丧事要合乎礼节，祭奠父母要诚心诚意；对待去世的父母，要像生前一样恭敬。
Observe proper etiquette in arranging your parents’funerals, and remember them with a sincere heart on the anniversaries of theirdeath. You should honor them as if they were still alive.
兄道友
弟道恭
兄弟睦
孝在中
Brother or sister,
Hold them dear.
Brothers in harmony,
A sign ’o piety.
【释义】
兄长对弟妹要友善，弟妹对兄长要恭敬；兄弟姊妹能和睦相处，孝道就体现在其中了。
The older siblings should love and care for theyounger ones, and the younger ones should love and respect the older ones. Keepingharmonious relationships with your siblings is a sign of respecting yourparents.
或饮食
或坐走
长者先
幼者后
Drinking or eating,
Walking or sitting,
First the elder,
Then the younger.
【释义】
无论是饮食用餐，还是坐立行走，都应让年长者优先，年幼者居后。
When people are eating or drinking, sitting down ortaking a walk, let the elders do first. The younger ones should follow behind.
称尊长
勿呼名
对尊长
勿见能
Addressing the elder,
Use titles proper.
With ’em in talk,
Don’t play th’ peacock.
【释义】
称呼尊者长辈，不应该直呼其名；在尊者长辈面前，应该谦虚有礼，不应该故意炫耀自己的才能。
In speaking to the elders, use the propertitles of respect instead of calling him by his name. Do not show off or try tolook smart before them.
尊长前
声要低
低不闻
却非宜
Before elder men,
Speak softly then.
Soft to th’ ear,
Loud enough t’ hear.
【释义】
与尊长说话，或者在尊长面前与别人说话，应该低声细气；但声音太低，交头接耳，窃窃私语，尊长听不清楚，也不合适。
Speak softly and in a low voice when you are in talkwith elders or in front of elders. But it is not appropriate, if your voice istoo low to be heard.
进必趋
退必迟
问起对
视勿移
Hurry t’ say Hi;
Patientt’ say Bye.
T’ answer,you rise,
Withattentive eyes.
【释义】
面见长辈时，应快步向前，告退时，要缓慢而行才合礼节；长辈问话时，应该起身作答，而且应该注视聆听，不应东张西望。
Walk quickly towards an elder when you are greeting him,and take leave slowly after the greeting. When answering his questions, youshould stand up and look at him with attention instead of looking around.
事诸父
如事父
事诸兄
如事兄
Uncles to you
Areparents too.
Cousins you consider
As brother ’n sister.
【释义】
侍奉叔伯，应如同侍奉自己的父亲一般恭敬；对待同族兄辈，应如同对待自己的亲兄弟一样友爱。
Regard your uncles as if they were your own parentsand your cousins as if they were your own siblings.
朝起早
夜眠迟
老易至
惜此时
Early to rise,
Fortime flies.
Lateyou stay,
Seizethe day.
【释义】
早上应该早起，晚上不应该过早入睡；因为人生易老，所以应该珍惜时光。
Get up early in the morning and go to bed at areasonable time, for time is passing by and cannot be turned back. So you shouldtreasure the present moment, seize the day and seize the hour.
晨必盥
兼漱口
便溺回
辄净手
Aftermorning brush,
Rememberto flush.
Afterusing th’ loo,
Washhands too.
【释义】
早晨起床，务必洗脸梳妆、刷牙漱口；大小便回来，应该马上洗手。
Wash your face and brush your teeth when you get upin the morning. And remember to wash your hands after using the toilet.
冠必正
纽必结
袜与履
俱紧切
Hat in place;
Dress in grace.
Socks and shoes
Neat, not loose.
【释义】
帽子要戴正，衣服要扣好；袜子穿平整，鞋带应系紧，穿戴仪容要整洁。
Make sure your hat is properly put on, clothingcorrectly buttoned, socks neatly worn and shoelaces well fastened.
置冠服
有定位
勿乱顿
致污秽
Keepyour dress
Not inmess.
Keepthem tidy;
Don’tget dirty.
【释义】
脱下来的衣服，应放置到固定的位置；衣物不要随便乱扔，以免弄脏弄乱。
Put away your clothes in their proper places. Do notleave them lying around, or they’re sure to get wrinkled and dirty.
衣贵洁
不贵华
上循分
下称家
Neatnessmakes nice
Not th’clothing price.
Suitablefor position,
Andfamily tradition.
【释义】
服装穿着重在干净整洁，不在高贵华丽；着装要一则符合自己的身份，一则符合自己的家境。
It is more important that your clothes are clean and neat, rather than stylish orexpensive. You should wear only what is suitable for your social status andfinancial position.
对饮食
勿拣择
食适可
勿过则
At yourdinner,
Don’tbe chooser.
Drinkor food,
Enoughis good.
【释义】
对待饮食，不要挑挑拣拣；吃饭要适当有节，不要过量无限。
At dinner, don’t pick and choose your food. Don’tover eat.
步从容
立端正
揖深圆
拜恭敬
Walkwith ease;
Standwith grace.
Bows bedeep,
Respectyou keep.
【释义】
走路时，步伐要从容大方；站立时，姿态要端正；作揖行礼时，身体要弯得深；礼拜他人时，要真诚恭敬。
Walk in an unhurried manner and stand up straightand tall. When greeting people, make sure your bows are deep with greatrespect.
缓揭帘
勿有声
宽转弯
勿触棱
Opendoors slow;
Makevoice low.
Walkwith U-turns
No sharp Z-turns.
【释义】
进入房间要轻缓地揭开门帘，应该动作轻缓，不要发出声响；走路拐弯时，应该绕大点圈，不要撞到物品的棱角。
Open the door slowly and quietly when entering aroom; go wide when you’re turning a corner, and don’t trip on the legs of thechairs or tables.
执虚器
如执盈
入虚室
如有人
Carrying empty ware,
Handle with care.
T’ room without lock,
Enter with knock.
【释义】
拿空器具的时候，应该像拿着装满了东西的器具一样小心；进入无人的房间，应该像进入有人的房间一样，不可以随便。
You should carry an empty container, just ascarefully as one that is full. And enter an empty room as carefully as someoneis in it.
事勿忙
忙多错
勿畏难
勿轻略
Rush and haste
Make only waste.
Crack hard nuts;
Ignore no butts.
【释义】
做事不要匆匆忙忙，也不要慌慌张张，因为忙中容易出错；做事不要畏惧困难，也不要草率行事。
Avoid doing things in a hurry, as it will lead tomistakes. Neither be afraid of difficult tasks nor be careless with easy ones.
话说多
不如少
惟其是
勿佞巧
Walk the walk,
Not talk th’ talk.
Be a truth-teller,
Not a smooth-talker.
【释义】
话多不如话少；说话实事求是，不要妄言取巧。
It is better to speak less rather than talking toomuch. Tell only the truth instead of twisting the facts.
无心非
名为错
有心非
名为恶
A careless behavior,
A mere error.
Error on purpose,
Bad to worse.
【释义】
无意中做错了事，称为过错；若是明知故犯做错事，便是罪恶。
When an error is made accidentally, it’s simplycalled a mistake. While if it is done on purpose, it is not a mistake but anevil act.
勿谄富
勿骄贫
勿厌故
勿喜新
Treat equally each,
Th’ poor or rich.
Friends are gold,
Both new ’n old.
【释义】
不要献媚巴结有钱人，也不要对穷人骄横无礼；不要喜新厌旧。
Neither flatter the rich nor despise the poor;neither ignore old friends nor only take delight in new ones.
方读此
勿慕彼
此未终
彼勿起
Read by steps,
Not by leaps.
A good starter,
A good finisher.
【释义】
读书要专心致志，不能这本书才开始读没多久，又想看其他的书，或是这段还未读完，就又想读另一段。
Be absorbed in your reading and do not think aboutanother book when you just begin to read this one. Be sure that you havefinished one paragraph before starting another.
勿自暴
勿自弃
圣与贤
可驯致
Neither be disheartened,
Nor be self-abandoned.
With efforts ’n pains,
You’ll have th’ gains.
【释义】
遇到挫折，不要自暴自弃，自甘堕落；圣人与贤人的境界，都是可以通过努力而逐渐达到的。
Neither look down upon yourself nor give up onyourself. Everyone can gradually learn to become a person of high ideals andmoral standards as long as he makes unremitting efforts.