Grandpa's great writer

Chapter 798 Translation Problem

Of course, Zhang Zhong couldn't just talk nonsense all the time. After touting the Goncourt Prize for Literature, he turned to say, "After "Lord of the Flies" came out, I heard a voice that was not too strong. The book is a bit dark and depressing, and the judgment on the nature of human nature is a bit pessimistic, so I was given the title of a pessimist, for which I am very wronged."

"Actually, I am a person who smiles at the world, and I am definitely not a pessimist. Are people who see darkness a devil? Obviously not. In my opinion, it is precisely when we see darkness that we know the meaning of light. Everyone here, I don’t know if you have heard a sentence-know yourself. According to legend, this sentence was engraved in the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.”

"The reason why human beings suffer is because they are ignorant of their own nature to an astonishing degree. And "Lord of the Flies" conveys the confidence that human beings can gradually understand themselves. For the beast lurking in our hearts, we need to understand .”

"There is an idiom in China called self-restraint and restoration of propriety, which means to restrain oneself and make everything conform to propriety. The reason why we should restrain ourselves is because the sages knew that there are complex natures in our hearts, and there are many evil ones. Existence, what we need to restrain is these things. If we want to restrain ourselves and return to ritual, we must first know what we need to restrain, why we need to restrain, and how to restrain. These questions, "Lord of the Flies" gave some answers, but definitely not all of them... ..."

When Zhang Zhong was talking nonsense before, the on-site interpreter responsible for translating his words felt quite relaxed, but when it came to the latter paragraph, the translation obviously felt a little strenuous.

Especially the sentence of self-restraint and rites, if Zhang Zhong hadn't explained it himself later, the translator would not know how to translate it.

"I personally think that the so-called pessimism is negative and inaction. And if a writer only realizes that the era he lives in is in a tragic situation, he can fulfill the mission of a serious writer and inject our thoughts and demands into his works. It’s definitely not pessimism. I think it’s activism. Well, that’s the end of my acceptance speech from an activist writer.”

After finishing his acceptance speech, Zhang Zhong bowed to pay tribute, and then walked off the stage holding the box.

At this point, the award ceremony is over.

It takes about 10 minutes to add up.

But you don't need to hurry, because there will be a banquet after the ceremony.

The organizing committee is not willing to give out bonuses, but is willing to spend money on banquets.

They need to get out of the Cultural Auditorium and walk to the Sal Hotel, 200 meters away from the Cultural Auditorium.

On the way to the hotel, Zhang Zhong, Xu Yuhan, Nolan, and He Kelan walked side by side.

Nolan was old and his pace was slow, and the others could only accommodate his speed.

"Mr. Pz, your acceptance speech is very rewarding."

If Nolan's eyes were not sincere enough, Zhang Zhong even suspected that the old man was mocking on purpose.

However, aside from the lengthy nonsense in the previous paragraph, Zhang Zhong's free play in the last paragraph is quite reasonable.

"Self-denial and courtesy." Nolan imitated Zhang Zhong's Chinese language, and then asked in French, "Am I right?"

Xu Yuhan has been acting as an interpreter by the side.

"It's pretty standard." Zhang Chong said with a smile, "Mr. Nolan has a talent for languages. Are you interested in learning more Chinese?"

"I tried it before, but I lost confidence because of it. I thought I had a talent for languages. Later, after learning a little Chinese, I realized that I didn't have any talent. But I am very interested in your idioms. Today, because of you I learned another idiom, what allusion does this idiom have? You know, idioms are more interesting because they have allusions."

Zhang Jiao nodded, "That's true. Restraining oneself and returning to propriety comes from "The Analects of Confucius". Once Confucius' student Yan Hui asked Confucius how to achieve the state of benevolence, and Confucius said this passage, and don't despise what is wronged by etiquette. Don't look at what is wronged by etiquette. Listen, don't do anything wrong."

After he finished speaking, Xu Yuhan scratched his head and said, "This translation is a bit difficult."

Indeed, when it comes to these conceptual things, Xu Yuhan's French level is not enough.

In fact, not only her, I am afraid that there are few people in the world who can clearly translate these conceptual things in the Analects into French.

For example, the concepts of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trust seem to be translated incorrectly.

What Zhang Zhong said just now contains benevolence and propriety, and these two words are more difficult to translate.

What is a gift?

It seems correct to translate it into politeness, but it is clear that the etiquette here cannot be explained simply by the word politeness.

What is benevolence?
Is it kind?This is even more wrong.

It seems that it is more appropriate to translate it into benevolence, but even if it is translated into benevolence, it still lacks some meaning.

Zhang Zhong's French skills were poor, so it was naturally impossible for him to explain to them, and the scene turned cold for a while.

He Kelan and Nolan only heard Zhang Zhong say a lot in Chinese, and then waited for Xu Yuhan to translate, but they didn't wait for a long time.

Seeing them waiting, Zhang Zhong could only say to Xu Yuhan, "I remember that there is a French version of "The Analects of Confucius", so let them go back and look for it by themselves."

Xu Yuhan rolled his eyes at Zhang Zhong, "Isn't this just fooling people?"

Zhang Zhong shrugged his shoulders, meaning do you have a better way?

Of course Xu Yuhan had no choice but to follow what Zhang Zhong said to He Kelan and the others.

He Kelan and the others showed regretful expressions when they heard Xu Yuhan's words.

He Kelan said directly to Zhang Chong in English, "I think the reason why your Chinese culture cannot be popularized all over the world is entirely due to the limitations of writing. Of course, I am not saying that Chinese language has limitations, but your language is not as good as ours. Too much."

Zhang Zhong nodded in agreement and said, "You are right. Chinese culture is extensive and profound. The reason why it has not been popularized around the world is indeed due to language factors. However, I think that if you like Chinese culture, you can try to learn it. Learn Chinese, maybe you will open the door to a new world."

"I believe that more and more people will learn Chinese." Nolan said in English, his English level was worse than that of He Kelan, and he stumbled even in this sentence.

While chatting, they walked to the door of Sal Hotel.Although Nolan walked slowly, the total distance was only 200 meters, no matter how slow it took a few minutes.

Many people arrived at the door before them, but they waited until they arrived before walking into the hotel together, after all, their identities were unusual.

　Thanks 【saynol】for the reward
　　
　
(End of this chapter)