雖說原本想寫些別的主題,但最近的心情不斷連結到以下這首詩。大學時代滿喜歡陳克華的詩,覺得在此不妨作為翻譯練習,希望哪一天原作者不小心瀏覽到不會生氣。詩的翻譯是個有趣的主題,未來若累積了些什麼會在此分享。有興趣的朋友可去翻翻夏宇的《粉紅色噪音》,或是感受一下Steve Bradbury所譯的Fusion Kitsch。
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原詩:
肉體是此時我們唯一的禮物 陳克華
肉體是此時我們唯一的禮物,我們深知
我們攜來太久
且之前已拆封多次
但肉體仍是此刻唯一,唯一我們所能給予
像大提琴
僅能給予低音
靈魂則更低
低到聽不見
只感到振動,在肉體層層重負之下
如瀕死鳥微弱的振翅
我們在拆開禮物時,斷 續 聽見
懷疑且猶豫
但我們終於交換了禮物
音樂一般的肉體
在二重奏的和弦裡顫動
我住進了你的肉體
你住進了我的
陌生而溫暖,且輕易
彷彿音樂的共振
在肉體完全消失了那一瞬
會有更廣大的翅膀成形
廣大的翅膀
終於在靈魂完全的靜默裡
盛大地起飛⋯⋯
譯文:
Our bodies are the only presents we have got at this moment. We know clearly
that they have been carried along forever
and opened many times before.
Still, for now, they are the one and only thing we are capable of giving,
as bass
is the only thing a cello is capable of producing.
Nevertheless, the sounds of souls are lower.
One could barely hear it
but feel a vibration underneath the burdens of this corporeal form,
fluttering like that of a dying bird.
We hear, discontinuously, as we open our presents,
the sounds of doubt and hesitation.
Eventually we exchange our presents.
Our bodies melodiously
tremble in a duet.
I move into yours
and you into mine,
a territory unknown yet warm, and made easy,
as if we were resonating with each other.
The very moment the flesh disappears,
broader wings take shape.
Those broad wings
in the complete silence of the soul
take off grandly at last...
PS. 這段翻譯讓我去思考gift和present的差異,線上韋氏字典如是說:
gift noun \ˈgift\
1: something that is given to another person or to a group or organization
2: a special ability
Full Definition of GIFT
1: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
2: something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
3: the act, right, or power of giving
Origin of GIFT
Middle English, from Old Norse, something given, talent; akin to Old English giefan to give
First Known Use: 12th century
***
pres·ent noun \ˈpre-zənt\
1: something presented : gift
Origin of PRESENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter
First Known Use: 13th century
但更有趣的討論可參考English Language & Usage。
--
原詩:
肉體是此時我們唯一的禮物 陳克華
肉體是此時我們唯一的禮物,我們深知
我們攜來太久
且之前已拆封多次
但肉體仍是此刻唯一,唯一我們所能給予
像大提琴
僅能給予低音
靈魂則更低
低到聽不見
只感到振動,在肉體層層重負之下
如瀕死鳥微弱的振翅
我們在拆開禮物時,斷 續 聽見
懷疑且猶豫
但我們終於交換了禮物
音樂一般的肉體
在二重奏的和弦裡顫動
我住進了你的肉體
你住進了我的
陌生而溫暖,且輕易
彷彿音樂的共振
在肉體完全消失了那一瞬
會有更廣大的翅膀成形
廣大的翅膀
終於在靈魂完全的靜默裡
盛大地起飛⋯⋯
譯文:
Our bodies are the only presents we have got at this moment. We know clearly
that they have been carried along forever
and opened many times before.
Still, for now, they are the one and only thing we are capable of giving,
as bass
is the only thing a cello is capable of producing.
Nevertheless, the sounds of souls are lower.
One could barely hear it
but feel a vibration underneath the burdens of this corporeal form,
fluttering like that of a dying bird.
We hear, discontinuously, as we open our presents,
the sounds of doubt and hesitation.
Eventually we exchange our presents.
Our bodies melodiously
tremble in a duet.
I move into yours
and you into mine,
a territory unknown yet warm, and made easy,
as if we were resonating with each other.
The very moment the flesh disappears,
broader wings take shape.
Those broad wings
in the complete silence of the soul
take off grandly at last...
PS. 這段翻譯讓我去思考gift和present的差異,線上韋氏字典如是說:
gift noun \ˈgift\
1: something that is given to another person or to a group or organization
2: a special ability
Full Definition of GIFT
1: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
2: something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
3: the act, right, or power of giving
Origin of GIFT
Middle English, from Old Norse, something given, talent; akin to Old English giefan to give
First Known Use: 12th century
***
pres·ent noun \ˈpre-zənt\
1: something presented : gift
Origin of PRESENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter
First Known Use: 13th century
但更有趣的討論可參考English Language & Usage。