英语四级翻译模拟练习：文房四宝

　　参考译文

　　The Four Treasures of the Study is a general term fora set of tools for painting and writing in ancientChina, namely paper, ink, brush pen and ink stone.The quality of the Four Treasures of the Study playsa decisive role in one's painting and calligraphy.Therefore, scholars engaging in traditional Chinesepainting and calligraphy attached much importance to the choice of the tools. The products of"the Four Treasures of the Study" elaborately made during the Tang and Song Dynasties arehighly praised by later scholars for their superior quality. To some extent, the Four Treasuresof the Study is an important factor which has promoted the development of traditionalChinese culture.

　　翻译详解

　　1.第1句中的“书画用具”表达为tools for painting and writing，译文中增译“一套”(a set of)使表达更为精准。“指纸、墨、毛笔与砚台”是对前述内容的具体说明，可处理为插人语，用namely“即，也就是”引导。

　　2.第3句中修饰“文人”的定语“进行中国传统绘画和书法的”较长，故将其处理成后置定语，用分词短语 engaging in...来表达，亦可用从句who engaged in...来表达。

　　3.第4句中的修饰成分较多，翻译时应先译出句子主干文房四宝为后世学者髙度称颂”，译为the products of "the Four Treasures of the Study" are highly praised by later scholars，译文中增译“产品，成品” (the products of)更贴切原意。“因其质量优良与制作精美可处理为原因状语从句，译作because they were elaborately made and of superior quality，但不如译文 the products...elaborately made...are highly praised... for their superior quality 表达得简洁、地道。

　　4.最后一句中修饰“重要因素”的定语“伲进中国传统文化发展的”较长，故将其处理成后置定语，用从句 which has promoted the development...来表达。