2018年12月英語四級翻譯練習：皮影戲

四級翻譯練習：皮影戲
皮影戲是流行於中國的一門古老民間藝術。這種藝術形式產生於兩千多年前，到了宋代，皮影戲已十分發達。13世紀時，皮影戲傳到西亞，到了18世紀傳到世界很多地方。1 皮影戲是世界上最早由人配音的影畫藝術。它的成功給現代電影很大的啓發。皮影戲的妙處不僅在於皮影的製作，更在於表演。2 其表演水平的高低，取決於演員的唱功和手上功夫。3 過去沒有電影、電視等現代娛樂，皮影戲成爲重要的娛樂形式。即使是在娛樂業高度發達的今天它仍然受到人們的廣泛喜愛。2011年，皮影戲被列入人類非物質文化遺產代表作名錄。

參考譯文：
Shadow puppetry is an ancient folk art popular among the Chinese people. The art form first appeared 2,000 years ago and by the Song Dynasty it had become highly developed. In the 13th century it was introduced into West Asia, and by the 18th century it had spread to many parts of the world. Shadow puppetry is the world’s earliest movie art with the accompaniment of human voice. Its success has given much enlightenment to the development of modern movie. The appeal of shadow puppetry lies not only in its puppet-making, but more in its performance. How good a shadow play is depends on the singing of the performers and their handling of the puppets. In the past, without film, television, or other modern entertainments, shadow puppetry was an important form of entertainment. Even today when the entertainment industry is highly developed, shadow puppetry remains a welcome form of entertainment. In 2011, shadow puppetry was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

 
翻譯簡析
1 原文用了兩個“傳到”，譯文分別譯作was introduced into和spread to，避免重複使用相同的動詞，更符合英文的行文習慣。
2 句中的“妙處”譯作appeal，巧妙而傳神。也可譯爲beauty或merit。
3 原文的“手上功夫”在翻譯時作了具體化處理，譯爲their handling of the puppet。
翻譯中有時需要在抽象和具體之間、虛與實之間進行轉換，以便表意清楚明晰。