《红楼梦》第十七回合修辞翻译赏析

第十七回故事梗概：《红楼梦》第十七回是故事的一个小高潮，为接待元妃
省亲，贾府建造了一座省亲别院，贾珍请贾政前去查看。贾政听说宝玉善对对联，
想试试他的才华，便命令他跟着，一景便是一联，文采飞扬。

回目名翻译（十七、十八合并？）
大观园试才题对额 荣国府归省庆元宵
1）Literary Talent Is Tested by Composing Inscriptions in Grand View Garden
Those Losing Their Way at Happy Red Court Explore a Secluded Retreat
2）The inspection of the new garden becomes a test of talent
And Rong-guo House makes itself ready for an important visitor
（注：原文引用系《红楼梦》甲戌本及庚辰本，译文顺序为，①杨宪益、
②戴乃迭，霍克斯。）

诗词高于风光景色的文化内涵
“这匾额对联倒是一件难事。论理该请贵妃赐题才是，然贵妃若不亲睹其景，
大约亦必不肯妄拟;若直待贵妃游幸过再请题，偌大景致，若干亭榭，无字标题，
也觉寥落无趣，任有花柳山水，也断不能生色。”
1) “The inscriptions do present a problem. By rights, we should ask the Imperial
Consort to do us the honour of composing them, but she can hardly do this without
having seen the place. On the other hand, if we leave the chief sights and pavilions
without a single name or couplet until her visit, the garden, however lovely with its
flowers and willows, rocks and streams, cannot fully reveal its charm.”
2) ‘These inscriptions are going to be difficult,’ he said eventually. ‘By rights, of
course, Her Grace should have the privilege of doing them herself; but she can scarcely
be expected to make them up out of her head without having seen any of the views
which they are to describe. On the other hand, if we wait until she has already visited
the garden before asking her, half the pleasure of the visit will be lost. All those
prospects and pavilions—even the rocks and trees and flowers will seem somehow
incomplete without that touch of poetry which only the written word can lend a scene.’

似为反话实为正说，谦虚地褒扬
 贾政近日因闻得塾掌称赞宝玉专能对对联，虽不喜读书，偏倒有些歪才情似
的，今日偶然撞见这机会，便命他跟来。
1) Now Jia Zheng had recently heard Baoyu’s tutor speak highly of his skill in
composing couplets, remarking that the boy, though not studious, showed considerable
originality.
2) Jia Zheng had recently received a favourable report on Bao-yu from his teacher Jia
Dai-ru in which mention had been made of his skill in composing couplets. Although
the boy showed no aptitude for serious study, Dai-ru had said, he nevertheless
possessed a certain meretricious talent for versification not undeserving of
commendation.

用典、呼应
众人听说，也有说 该题“叠翠”二字，也有说该题“锦嶂”的，又有说“赛香炉”
的，又有说“小终南”的，种种名色，不止几十个。原来众客心中早知贾政要 试
宝玉的功业进益何如，只将些俗套来敷衍。宝玉亦料定此意。贾政听了，便回头
命宝玉拟来。宝玉道:“尝闻古人有云:‘编新不如述旧，刻古终胜雕今。’况此处并
非主山正景，原无可题之处，不过是探景一进步耳。莫如直书‘曲径通幽处’这句
旧诗在上，倒还大方气派。”
“Heaped Verdure,” said one.
“Embroidery Ridge,” said another.
“The Censer.”
“A Miniature Zhongnan.”
1) Dozens of different suggestions were made, all of them stereotyped cliches; for Jia
Zheng’s secretaries were well aware that he meant to test his son’s ability. Baoyu
understood this too.
Now his father called on him to propose a name.
Baoyu replied, “I’ve heard that the ancients said, ‘An old quotation beats an original
saying; to recut an old text is better than to engrave a new one.’ As this is not the main
prominence or one of the chief sights, it only needs an inscription because it is the first
step leading to the rest. so why not use that line from an old poem:
A winding path leads to a secluded retreat.
A name like that would be more dignified.”
2) Emerald Heights,’ said one.
 ‘Embroidery Hill,’ said another.
Another proposed that they should call it ‘Little Censer’ after the famous Censer
Peak in Kiangsi. Another proposed ‘Little Zhong-nan’. Altogether some twenty or
thirty names were suggested - none of them very seriously, since the literary gentlemen
were aware that Jia Zheng intended to test Bao-yu and were anxious not to make the
boy’s task too difficult. Bao-yu understood and was duly grateful.
When no more names were forthcoming Jia Zheng turned to Bao-yu and asked
him to propose something himself.
‘I remember reading in some old book,’ said Bao-yu, ‘that “to recall old things is
better than to invent new ones; and to recut an ancient text is better than to engrave a
modern”. We ought, then, to choose something old. But as this is not the garden’s
principal “mountain” or its chief vista, strictly speaking there is no justification for
having an inscription here at all—unless it is to be something which implies that this is
merely a first step towards more important things ahead. I suggest we should call it
“Pathway to Mysteries” after the line in Chang Jian’s poem about the mountain temple:
A path winds upwards to mysterious places.
A name like that would be more distinguished.’

炼字、对仗
“当日欧阳公《醉翁亭记》有云:‘有亭翼然。’就名‘翼然’。”贾 政笑道:“‘翼然’
虽佳，但此亭压水而成，还须偏于水题方称。依我拙裁，欧阳公之‘泻出于两峰之
间’，竟用他这一个‘泻’字。”有一 客道:“是极，是极。竟是‘泻玉’二字妙。”贾政
拈髯寻思，因抬头 见宝玉侍侧，便笑命他也拟一个来。宝玉听说，连忙回道:“老
爷方才所议已是。但是如今追究了去，似乎当日欧阳公题酿泉用一‘泻’字则妥，
今日此泉若亦用‘泻’字，则觉不妥。况此处虽为省亲驻跸别墅， 亦当入于应制之
例，用此等字眼，亦觉粗陋不雅。求再拟较此蕴藉含蓄者。”贾政笑道:“诸公听此
论若如?方才众人编新，你又说不如述古; 如今我们述古，你又说粗陋不妥。你且
说你的来我听。”宝玉道:“有用‘泻玉’二字，则莫若‘沁芳’二字，岂不 新雅?”贾政
拈髯点头不语。壬午春。众人都 忙迎合，赞宝玉才情不凡。贾政道:“匾上二字容
易，再作一副七言对联来。”宝玉听说，立于亭上，四顾一望，便机上心来，乃
念道: 绕堤柳借三篙翠，隔岸花分一脉香。
1) One volunteered, “Ouyang Xiu’s Pavilion of the Old Drunkard has the line, ‘A
winged pavilion hovers above.’ Why not call this Winged Pavilion?”
 “A delightful name,” rejoined Jia Zheng. “But as this pavilion is built over the
pool there should be some allusion to the water. Ouyang Xiu also speaks of a fountain
‘spilling between two peaks.’ Could we not use that word ‘spilling’?”
“Capital!” cried one gentleman. “‘Spilling Jade’ would be an excellent name.”
Jia Zheng tugging thoughtfully at his beard turned with a smile to ask Baoyu for
his suggestion.
“I agree with what you just said, sir,” replied his son. “But if we go into this a little
deeper, although ‘spilling’ was an apt epithet for Ouyang Xiu’s fountain, which was
called the Brewer’s Spring, it would be unsuitable here. Then again, as this is designed
as a residence for the Imperial Consort we should use more courtly language instead of
coarse, inelegant expressions like this. Could you not think of something more subtle?”
“Wouldn’t ‘Seeping Fragrance’ be more original and tasteful than ‘Spilling Jade’?”
2) ‘Ou-yang Xiu in his Pavilion of the Old Drunkard speaks of “a pavilion poised
above the water”,’ said one of them. ‘what about “Poised Pavilion”?’
‘“Poised Pavilion” is good,’ said Jia Zheng, ‘but this pavilion was put here in order
to dominate the water it stands over, and I think there ought to be some reference to
water in its name. I seem to recollect that in that same essay you mention Ou-yang Xiu
speaks of the water “gushing between twin peaks”. Could we not use the word “gushing”
in some way?’
‘Yes, yes!’ said one of the literary gentlemen. ‘“Gushing Jade” would do
splendidly.’
Jia Zheng fondled his beard meditatively, then turned to Bao-yu and asked him for
his suggestion.
‘I agreed with what you said just now, Father,’ said Bao-yu, ‘but on second
thoughts it seems to me that though it may have been all right for Ou-yang Xiu to use
the word “gushing” in describing the source of the river Rang, it doesn’t really suit the
water round this pavilion. Then again, as this is a Separate Residence specially designed
for the reception of a royal personage, it seems to me that something rather formal is
called for, and that an expression taken from the Drunkard’s Pavilion might seem a bit
improper. I think we should try to find a rather more imaginative, less obvious sort of
name.’
‘I think “Drenched Blossoms” would be more original and more tasteful than
“Gushing Jade”.’
 双关
宝玉道:“这是第一处行幸之处，必须颂圣方可。若用四字的匾，又有古人
现成的，何必再作。”贾政道:“难道‘淇水’‘睢园’不是古人的?”宝玉
道:“这太板腐了。莫若‘有凤来仪’四字。”众人都哄然叫妙。贾政点头道:“畜
生，畜生，可谓‘管窥蠡测’矣。”因命:“再题一联来。” 宝玉便念道: 宝鼎
茶闲烟尚绿， 幽窗棋罢指犹凉。
1) “Since this will be the first place where our Imperial visitor stops, we should
pay some tribute to Her Highness here. If we want a four-character inscription there are
plenty of old ones ready at hand, why need we compose anything new?”
“Aren’t ‘The River Qi’ and ‘The Sui Garden’ both classical allusions?”
“Yes, but they sound too stiff. I propose ‘Where the Phoenix Alights.’”
The rest were loud in their praise and Jia Zheng nodded. “You young rascal,” he
said, “with your pitiful smattering of knowledge. All right, now let’s hear your couplet.”
Baoyu declaimed:
“Still green the smoke from tea brewed in a rare tripod;
Yet cold the fingers from chess played by quiet window.”
2) ‘Well,’ said Bao-yu, ‘This is the first building our visitor will enter when she
looks over the garden, so there ought to be some word of praise for the Emperor at this
point. If we want a classical reference with imperial symbolism, I suggest “The Phoenix
Dance”, alluding to that passage in the History Classic about the male and female
phoenixes alighting “with measured gambollings” in the Emperor’s courtyard.’
‘What about “Bend of the Qi” and “North of the Sui”?’ said Jia Zheng. ‘Aren’t
they classical allusions? If not, I should like to know what they are!’
‘Yes,’ said Bao-yu, ‘but they are too contrived. “The Phoenix Dance” is more
fitting.’
There was a loud murmur of assent from the literary gentlemen. Jia Zhong nodded
and tried not to look pleased.
‘Young idiot!—A “small capacity but a great self-conceit”, gentlemen—All right!’
he ordered: ‘now the couplet I’
So Bao-yu recited the following couplet:
‘From the empty cauldron the steam still rises after the brewing of tea.
By the darkening window the fingers are still cold after the game of Go.’
 借喻
大家想着，宝玉却等不得了，也不等贾政的命，便说道:“旧诗有云:‘红杏梢头
挂酒旗。’如今莫若‘杏帘在望’四字。”众人都道:“好个‘在望’!又暗合‘杏花村’意。”
宝玉冷笑道:“村名若用‘杏花’二字，则俗陋不堪了。又有古人诗云:‘柴门临水稻花
香。’何不就用‘稻香村’的妙?”
1) Without giving them time to think or waiting to be asked by his father, Baoyu
blurted out, “An old poem has the line, ‘Above flowering apricot hangs a tavern-sign.’
Why not call this ‘Approach to Apricot Tavern’?”
“‘Approach’ is superb,” they cried. “It suggests the idea of Apricot Village too.”
“‘Apricot Village’ would be too vulgar a name.” Baoyu smiled scornfully. “But
an old poet wrote ‘A wicker gate by a stream sweet with paddy. ‘ How about ‘Paddy-
Sweet Cottage’?”
2) While they were all still thinking, Bao-yu who had already had an idea, was so
bursting with eagerness that he broke in’ without waiting to be invited by his father:
‘There is an old poem which has the lines
Above the flowering apricot
A hopeful inn-sign hangs.
For the inscription on the stone we ought to have “The Hopeful Sign”.’
‘“The Hopeful Sign”,’ echoed the literary gentlemen admiringly. ‘Very good! The
hidden allusion to “Apricot Village” is most ingenious!’
‘Oh, as for the name of the village,’ said Bao-yu scornfully, ‘“Apricot Village” is
much too obvious! why not “Sweet-rice Village” from the words of the old poem:
A cottage by the water stands
Where Sweet the young rice smells?’

口语、对话
“叉出去!”刚出去，又喝命:“回来!” 命再题一联:“若不通，一并打嘴!”宝玉只
得念道: 新涨绿添浣葛处, 好云香护采芹人。
1) “Clear off!” thundered Jia Zheng. “Stop. Come back. Make up another couplet.
If it’s no good I’ll slap your face on both accounts.”
Baoyu had to comply. He declaimed:
“The green tide fills the creek where clothes are washed;
Clouds of fragrance surround the girls plucking water-cress.”
 2) ‘Take that boy out of here!’
Bao-yu fled.
‘Come back!’
He returned.
‘You still have to make a couplet on this place. If it isn’t satisfactory, you will find
yourself reciting it to the tune of a slapped face!’
Bao-yu stood quivering with fright and for some moments was unable to say
anything. At last he recited the following couplet:
‘Emergent buds swell where the washerwoman soaks her cloth.
A fresh tang rises where the cress-gatherer fills his pannier.’

析字：反切（谐音、谐音）：上取其声，下取其韵
宝玉道：“越发背谬了。‘秦人旧舍’是避乱之意，如何使得？莫若‘蓼汀花溆’
四字。”
（注：“蓼汀”反切为“林”。花者，花袭人也；溆者，薛宝钗也”。而在古音中，
现代声母“h”、“x”往往混而为一，这在南方方音肯定也有保存；方音中“u”、“ue”
相混亦常见。“花溆”切薛亦情理中事。)
1) “Then how about ‘The Refuge of a Man of Qin’?”
“Even more impossible,” cried Baoyu. “How can we use something that implies
taking refuge in time of trouble? I suggest ‘Smartweed Bank and Flowery Harbour.”
2) ‘That’s even more inappropriate!’ said Bao-yu. ‘“Refuge of the Qins” would
imply that the people here were fugitives from tyranny. How can we possibly call it
that? I suggest “Smartweed Bank and Flowery Harbour”.’

析字：增损、离合、牵涉
宝玉也道:“妙极。”又叹:“只是可惜了。” 众人问:“如何可惜?”宝玉道:“此处蕉
棠两植，其意暗蓄 ‘红’‘绿’二字在内。若只说蕉，则棠无着落;若只说棠，蕉亦无
着 落。固有蕉无棠不可，有棠无蕉更不可。”贾政道:“依你如何?”宝玉道:“依我，
题‘红香绿玉’四字，方两全其妙。”
1) Jia Zheng and the rest approved, as indeed did Baoyu, adding, “It’s a pity,
though....” Asked to explain himself, he said, “Plantain and crabapple blossom suggest
both red and green. It’s a pity to refer to one and not the other.”
“What do you suggest then?” demanded his father.
 “Something like ‘Red Fragrance and Green Jade’ would bring out the charm of
both, I think.”
2) ‘A lovely name!’ said Bao-yu. But a moment later he added: ‘Rather a pity,
though.’
‘Why “rather a pity”?’ they asked.
‘Well,’ said Bao-yu, ‘there are both plantains and crab-apple blossom in this
courtyard. Whoever planted them must have been thinking of “the red and the green”.
If our name mentions only one and leaves Out the other, it will seem somehow
inadequate.’
‘What do you suggest, then?’ said Jia Zheng.
‘I suggest “Fragrant Red and Lucent Green”,’ said Bao-yu. ‘That takes account
of both of them.’