讀詩與譯詩 江紹倫

談詩說字

            在近代文人中我比較敬重聞一多(1899-1946)。他勤奮、誠實,教人孜孜不倦,治學嚴謹,不像他同代中的一些固執一見,隨意貶古媚今的文化紅人。聞一多在《冬夜評論》中說:〝詩人應該感謝文字,因為文字作了他的‵用力的焦點′,他的職務(也是他的權力)是依然用白爾(Clive Bell)的話,‵征服一種工具的困難′ — 這種工具就是文字。〞

            中國文字建基於象形,派生出形聲,會意,和指事等文字分類,獨樹一幟。相比,英文不用視覺符號表示概念,而它的a、e、i、o、u 母音亦不含意義。所以,中國詩和英國詩之間存在着天然的差異。

            中文有哪些特點呢?說來話長。作為表意工具,中國文字最早用於詩和卜卦,其傳意以即時打動人心為旨。然而,我們今天看詩評,多數認為詩的至高境界是〝不著一字,盡得風流〞。佛教傳入以後,禪家主張〝默然〞相通,因為〝一切言說,皆離生相〞也。

            不過,綜觀幾千年的詩史,詩旨、詩體、詩用、詩美的演變都相當複雜,而文字的應用,亦跟隨變動而每有新的發展。如今,我們欣賞古詩,兼作翻譯,對文字的認識都必須考究多種層次的演變,包括中文的視覺效應,意像建構,直觀意覺,意脈淺深,對仗空間,天道人心,字眼句法,矇矓美緻,和簡樸歸真等,盡是英文所無的。

            怎樣算是好詩呢?宗白華於《新詩略說》裡指出,好詩應該〝用一種美的文字 — 音律的繪畫的文字 — 表寫人底情緒中的意境。〞聞一多在《詩的格律》裡補充說:〝……我們的文字是象形的……中國人鑒賞文藝的時候,至少有一半的印象是要靠眼睛來傳達的。原來文學本是佔時間又佔空間的一種藝術。既然佔了空間,卻又不能在視覺上引起一種具體的印象 — 這是歐洲文字的一個缺憾。我們的文字有了引起這種印象的可能,如果我們不去利用它,真是可惜了。〞

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2010 Terry Fox Run

WYKAAO once again participated in the annual Terry Fox Run; this year marked the 30th anniversary of the event. The weather was one of the best in recent years for the walk/run. After a brief introduction by the event organizer and speeches from the dignitaries, we were off for a refreshing morning walking exercise. Starting from the Old Unionville Library, we strolled along a route that is mixed with park areas, boardwalks and natural habitats (click here to view the pictures). Thanks to our 60 generous supporters, the WYKAAO team has raised over $4,900 this year for the great cause!

They Are Back

(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

Hurrah, the long hot boring summer is over. The circus, oops, Parliament is back in town and re-opened this week.

First on the agenda, is the long-gun registry. It is a no brainer. Unlike the urbanite, the Toronto Elite, up North, we use guns to hunt animals, not men, and of course, no need for an expensive registry. Look at what the city folks have done to us. First they tempted our boys and girls, to move away from our rural habitat, into the big city lights, and corrupt them with their new social/cultural evils. Now they are trying to control our manly symbol, our guns. As our great leader, the beloved PM said, this is all about the Rural/Urban divide, and we will pick up the guns, so to speak, and fight to the bitter end, into the next election.

And then there is the issue of the $ 9-billion dollars purchase of a fleet of F35 Stealth Jet Fighters with the US company, Lockheed-Martin, without any bidding tender what so ever.

Our Defence Minister Mackay pointed out, “without the F-35 Lightning II, Canada might not be able to effectively defend its airspace in the future.” That is scary stuff, why do we need such heavy weapons? Are we on the brink of the Third World War, or is he a believer of the Mayan “End of World” theory of December 21, 2012?

“The F-35 will allow us to see threats before they see us,” Mr. MacKay indicated. “The stealth capability makes it the right aircraft, not only on the existing threats, but what may come.” What threats? Probably he is talking about defending the air space of the Canadian parliament, from any attack of the Opposition coalition.

Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose also pointed out, “Competitions do not need to be held when there is only one product available that meets the requirements set by the client.” “Frankly, it would be dishonest. It would be a waste of time and a waste of resources.” Of course, we are not those cheap bargain hunters, just to drive across town to get a tank of cheaper priced gasoline. We are Canadians.

As for giving business to our neighbour, we are just following President Obama’s call: Buy America.

For the past years, we have over-spent all the surplus money we inherited from our predecessors, and then more. We are now deeply in the red, and have no choice but to cut off all stimulation programs and extended benefits of the unemployed.

We have followed the textbook to a T, and threw in money, lots of money, to stimulate the economy during this recession, but still it doesn’t work. That’s all because of the US. Obama declared recession is over, but their economy is still stagnant. Obviously if they are not going anywhere, and so are we. So logically if we pump money into their economy, we may have thrown them a lifeline and save us in the end, hopefully with a majority in parliament.

Let us pray.


上海地鐵在車廂內展出的四首英國詩(2006)

 

 《天真的预示》,威廉•布莱克 (宗白华 译) 

Auguries of Innocence, William Blake (1757-1827) 

To see a world in a grain of sand 

And a heaven in a wild flower, 

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, 

And eternity in an hour. 

 

《水仙》,威廉•华兹华斯 (郭沫若 译)
 

 Daffodils, William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

 
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

WYKwinos Report No. 9

Date/Time: 16th September 2010, 7 p.m. (roughly 3 hours)
Place: John Fung’s residence

1st Bottle Leyda Reserva Carmenère   
Varietal: Carmenère Winery/Producer: Vina Leyda Ltda
Type: Red Wine Year: 2008
Cost: $13.95 Region: Chile
Food to pair: Tortellini with Alfredo sauce, Asiago and pine nuts. LCBO #: 00066845
Remarks: Classic Reserve Carmenère comes from specific vineyards in higher elevation areas of the Rapel Valley. In these sky-bound vineyard sites, the intense heat of the day is balanced by cool temperatures at night. As a result, the fruit ripens slowly and achieves balance. Featuring aromas of plum, cedar, vanilla and smoke, this Carmenère is an excellent choice for grilled steak or even liver and onions. John’s menu: Tortellini with Alfredo sauce, Asiago and pine nuts.
2nd Bottle Rosenblum Zinfandel    
Varietal: Zinfandel Winery/Producer: Rosenblum  
Type: Red Wine Year: 2007  
Cost: $15.00 Region: California, USA  
Food to pair: Pastry in brie and fig preserve. LCBO #: 00284653  
Remarks: Rosenblum is one of California’s Zinfandel masters. This full-throttle version serves up aromas of ripe raspberries, cherries and mocha. It is full bodied, with a smooth, plush texture and rich flavours that are well balanced by acidity, all leading to a very nice spicy-berry finish. Excellent with barbecue fare, such as grilled back ribs. John’s menu: Pastry in brie and fig preserve.  
3rd Bottle Kaiken Malbec    
Varietal: Malbec Winery/Producer: Montes S.A  
Type: Red Wine Year: 2007  
Cost: $14.95 Region: Argentina  
Food to pair: Grilled Black Angus strip loin with Huangshan mushroom and Cambodian black pepper sauce. LCBO #: 00058339  
Remarks: Owned by the Chilean winery, Montes, Kaiken (pronounced Kay-ken) is named for a wild goose that flies a migratory pattern between Chile and Argentina (thus the winery’s slogan: The Best from Both Sides of the Andes). This bold Malbec features attractive aromas of blueberry, black raspberry, spice box, chocolate and sandalwood. It is dry, medium bodied with fresh fruit flavours balanced by ample acidity and ripe tannins. Enjoy this fantastic value alongside grilled lamb chops with caramelized onions. John’s menu: Grilled Black Angus strip loin with Huangshan mushroom and Cambodian black pepper sauce, zucchini, and roasted white potato flavoured with rosemary olive oil.  
   
4th Bottle Cabeça de Toiro Reserva    
Varietal: Touriga Nacional Winery/Producer: Caves Velfias  
Type: Red wine Year: 2007  
Cost: $19.95 Region: Portugal  
Food to pair: Chorizo with fava bean and buttercup squash stew. LCBO #: 00168856  
Remarks: This pretty, serious blend is built around Touriga Nacional. It opens with attractive aromas of blueberry, blackberry, plum, exotic spices and chocolate, which follow through on the palate. Dry and medium-full bodied, with ample tannic structure supporting the core of rich fruit and spice. Give this a go with braised lamb shanks or mature cheeses. John’s menu: Chorizo with fava bean and buttercup squash stew.  

蘇軾宇宙往來

以文治國

在中國歷史長河中,宋朝內憂外患,卻是中國文化最鼎盛的時期,不只一個學者說它是中國歷史上的第二個學術自由時期,與春秋戰國百家爭鳴的氣象互相輝映。

            宋王朝以文治國,領導層成員皆是飽學之士。他們承繼了古代聖賢的安身立命之道,自覺地桿衛傳統智慧,道經致用,講求義理,同時又嚴謹治學,著書立說,造成一個蓬勃的學術氣圍。加以三教合一的文化整合,推動哲學思想節節向上。

            在那樣理想與政治權力互相糾纏的社會裡,在理念智慧與審美睿知互相交鋒及交融的“性”與“情”的自由創幻中,宋代的詩調創下了空前絕後的突破,在量和質方面都給我們留下最寶貴的篇章。

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你需要我

(Through Rose-Coloured Glasses)

你需要我, 這是Anne Murray 的成名曲。最近在電視一個 ”請救救兒童“ 的廣告中, 又再聽到。一直以為, 這只是一首情歌; 誰想到, 換上了叧一套畫面, 又會有更感人的, 深厚的意義。

You needed me

I cried a tear
You wiped it dry
I was confused
You cleared my mind
I sold my soul
You bought it back for me
And held me up and gave me dignity
Somehow you needed me.

Chorus
You gave me strength

To stand alone again
To face the world
Out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me
You needed me

And I can’t believe it’s you I can’t believe it’s true
I needed you and you were there
And I’ll never leave, why should I leave
I’d be a fool
‘Cause I’ve finally found someone who really cares

You held my hand
When it was cold
When I was lost
You took me home
You gave me hope
When I was at the end
And turned my lies
Back into truth again
You even called me friend

Repeat Chorus

You needed me
You needed me

我哭了, 流着眼淚
你替我抹乾
我困惑
你使我清醒
我賣去靈魂
你給我找回来
把我高舉, 給我尊嚴
不知何故, 你需要我

合唱
你給我力量

能再站起来
面對這世界
能夠自立
你將我放在基座上
高高的, 差不多見得到永恆
你需要我
你需要我

我不相信, 那是你
不相信, 這是真的
我需要你, 你就在眼前
我永遠不會離開
只有儍子, 才會離去
因為, 我巳找到
真正関心我的人

你牽着我
冰冷的手
當我迷失了
你帶我回家
你給我希望
當我巳絕望
你把我的謊言
變為真話
你甚至稱我朋友

合唱
你需要我
你需要我

Anne Murray, Shania Twain DUET
You Needed Me



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Once the biggest killer app of them all — who could forget the Microsoft-vs.-Netscape battle royale? — the browser is now nearly a commodity. Major innovations like tabbed browsing and smart bookmarks happened almost a decade ago. Most improvements in recent years have focused on security and speed, but load times are now so fast that the enhancements aren’t that exciting………….Read the whole article