2016年12月英語四級翻譯練習(xí)：指南針

　　中國是舉世公認(rèn)的發(fā)明指南針(compass)的國家。最初的指南針叫做司南(Sinan, a south-pointing ladle )，出現(xiàn)在戰(zhàn)國時期。一般在指南針上標(biāo)有東南西北四個方位，并且還有刻度。北對應(yīng)零度，刻度隨順時針方向而增加。作為中國古代的四大發(fā)明之一，指南針對人們的生活，尤其是航海業(yè)的發(fā)展，起到了重要的作用。指南針對西方世界也產(chǎn)生了顯著的影響，這些國家由此開始了大規(guī)模的海外冒險活動。

　　參考翻譯:

　　The Compass

　　China is universally acknowledged as the countrywhere the compass was invented. The compass,originally called Sinan, a south-pointing ladle,appeared during the Warring States Period.Generally, the directions of north, east, west and south are shown on the compass, and so arethe angle markings in degrees. North corresponds to zero degree, and the degrees increaseclockwise. As one of the four great inventions of ancient China, the compass played animportant role in people’s life, especially in maritime undertakings. It also had a significantinfluence on the western world, as thereafter those countries began large-scale overseasadventures.

　　1.舉世公認(rèn)的:可譯為universally accepted 或 universallyacknowledged。

　　2.并且還有刻度:這里是指刻度也標(biāo)示在上面，所以可以承接上文，用“so+助動詞”的結(jié)構(gòu)來表達(dá)。

　　3.順時針方向:應(yīng)譯為clockwise。其反義詞“逆時針方向”為counterclockwise。

　　4.中國古代的四大發(fā)明:應(yīng)譯為the four great inventionsof ancient China。四大發(fā)明具體表達(dá)為 compass、gunpowder(火藥)、papermaking technology (造紙術(shù))和 movable-type printing(活字印刷)。

　　5.起到了重要的作用:可譯為play an important role/part。

　　6.對…產(chǎn)生…影響:可譯為 have a/an...influence/impact on...