將詩譯成外文是件困難的事。因為其中不僅牽涉到兩種語文特有的文法結構與抑 揚頓挫，還牽涉到兩種文化的習慣隱喻用詞與作者要表達的意境。中文詩的用字精簡，傳遞 給讀者的常只是一種視覺形象。讀詩如讀畫，就是本國人士看了也不一定有相同的理解和感 受。譯者在翻譯時，或因對該詩的領會有異，或因疏忽了中西文化的差別，譯文常無法將原 作者欲表達的意境有效地傳達給西文讀者。「楓橋夜泊」是唐朝詩人張繼的一首七言絕句。 國人對此詩耳熟能詳。本文以此詩的八種英譯作為探討的依據，期能找出把中國古詩詞譯成 英文時應注意的一些原則。
It is difficult to translate a poem into a foreign language. Every language has its unique grammar structure, rhythm, and metaphors. A Chinese traditional poem is usually concise, and its hidden message often depends on individual reader's ability to interpret. When a translator misunderstands the metaphors or neglects the differences between two cultures, chances are he will not be successful to pass the source language author's intention to the target language reader. By comparing eight different translations of Anchored at Maple Bridge at Night, a poem by Chang Chi in the Tang Dynasty, the writer of this essay tries to find some basic principles applicable to the translation of Chinese traditional poems into a foreign language.
