问:英国歌手史都华(Rod Stewart)唱的Auld Lang Syne(友谊万岁)有以下一句,该怎样解释:the seas between us Lord and swell since the days of auld lang syne。
答:Auld Lang Syne这首苏格兰歌,脍炙人口。Auld等于英文的old,而lang syne则等于long ago。那三字译做英文,是times long past(久逝的日子)。读者示下那一句,是史都华版本;标准的英文版本如下:We two have paddled in the stream,/ from morning sun till dine;/ But seas between us broad have roared/ since auld lang syne(我们两人,曾盪舟河上,由早到晚,但从此之后,相隔咆哮大海,已有多年)。Dine是个古字,今已不用,意思是「晚饭时间」(dinner time)。
史都华把seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne改为seas between us Lord and swell since the days of auld lang syne,文法不对,用字也不当。读者切勿见他是英国歌手,就以为他的英文
一定正确,勉强解释。正如今天香港那些所谓乐坛天王天后,所唱歌词往往一塌煳涂。
问:小儿的英文作业有以下两句,意思有什么分别?──
(1) Some food is pretty delicious。 (2) Some of the food is pretty delicious。