活字典

句子：他學(xué)識(shí)淵博,被人稱(chēng)為活字典。

誤譯：Being profound in knowledge, he was called a living dictionary.

正譯：Being profound in knowledge, he was called a walking dictionary.

解釋?zhuān)骸盎钭值洹笔莻€(gè)比喻說(shuō)法，形容一個(gè)學(xué)識(shí)淵博的人。living dictionary 的意思是a dictionary that exists，即“現(xiàn)在人們使用的字典”，不是用來(lái)指人。但是 walking dictionary的意思是a person who has an impressive knowledge of facts or words，指“學(xué)識(shí)淵博的人”。

作為形容詞，“活”的第一個(gè)意思是指“有生命的、存活的或依然活躍的”?？勺g為living, live, active。如：1. 我只好死馬當(dāng)活馬醫(yī)。I could not but deal with it like treating a dead horse as if it were a live one. 2. 活火山隨時(shí)都可能爆發(fā)。An active volcano can explode at any time.

形容詞“活”的第二個(gè)意思是“生動(dòng)的”?？勺g為 lively, vivid。如：3. 這個(gè)喝醉酒的司機(jī)成為醉酒駕車(chē)的活標(biāo)本。The drunk driver became a lively example of those who drive while intoxicated. 4. 他的英雄事跡是一部反腐斗爭(zhēng)的活教材。His heroic deed is a vivid object lesson in fighting against corruption.

形容詞“活”的第三個(gè)意思是比喻“在某一方面與之相似”?？勺g為living, live。如：5. 這首歌的名字叫《東北人都是活雷鋒》。This song is entitled Everybody from Northeast China is a living Lei Feng. 6. “飯后一支煙，賽過(guò)活神仙” 的說(shuō)法對(duì)煙民其實(shí)是一種誤導(dǎo)。The saying that one who smokes a cigarette after dinner is just like a living immortal is in fact misleading to the smokers.

形容詞“活”第四個(gè)意思是“熟悉或精通某方面知識(shí)”?？勺g為 walking。如：7. 這位植物學(xué)家被稱(chēng)為中國(guó)植物學(xué)界的活字典。This botanist is regarded as a walking encyclopaedia in Chinas botanical circles. ▲

（本欄目供稿：王逢鑫教授）