2016年12月英語六級翻譯預熱練習：中國習慣

　　老年為少年之過來人，少年為老年之候補者，老與少，只不過時間上之差別而已。然中國習慣，對老少之間，往往劃有無形界限。在客觀上，有時重老而輕少，有時重少而輕老。在主觀上，老者自恃其老，少年自矜其少。幾千年來，遂形成老者自以為持重練達而菲薄少年為少不更事;而少年自以為新銳精進而輕蔑老者為老朽昏庸。此真所謂偏頗兩失之見也。

　　【參考譯文】

　　Old Age and Young The aged are the antecedents of the young, and the young are the candidates of the aged. The difference between age and youth is only a matter of time. But, according to the Chinese custom, there is always an invisible line of demarcation between them. Objectively speaking, sometimes the aged are held in esteem and the young are made light of; sometimes it is just the other way round. Subjectively speaking, the aged are self-conceited because of their good old age, while the young think no small beer of their own youth. For thousands of years it has been assumed that the aged, thinking themselves experienced and more skillful, look down upon the young for their greenness in worldly affairs, while the young, thinking themselves fresh in life and more energetic, call the aged old fogies. Either of these views, of course, is far from being impartial.