問:英國歌手史都華(Rod Stewart)唱的Auld Lang Syne(友誼萬歲)有以下一句,該怎樣解釋:the seas between us Lord and swell since the days of auld lang syne。
答:Auld Lang Syne這首蘇格蘭歌,膾炙人口。Auld等於英文的old,而lang syne則等於long ago。那三字譯做英文,是times long past(久逝的日子)。讀者示下那一句,是史都華版本;標準的英文版本如下:We two have paddled in the stream,/ from morning sun till dine;/ But seas between us broad have roared/ since auld lang syne(我們兩人,曾盪舟河上,由早到晚,但從此之後,相隔咆哮大海,已有多年)。Dine是個古字,今已不用,意思是「晚飯時間」(dinner time)。
史都華把seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne改為seas between us Lord and swell since the days of auld lang syne,文法不對,用字也不當。讀者切勿見他是英國歌手,就以為他的英文
一定正確,勉強解釋。正如今天香港那些所謂樂壇天王天後,所唱歌詞往往一塌糊塗。
問:小兒的英文作業有以下兩句,意思有什麼分彆?──
(1) Some food is pretty delicious。 (2) Some of the food is pretty delicious。