中级英语口译教程第三单元

A：欢迎来上海，罗伯茨先生我是上海邮电服务发展公司海外部主任陈天敏。Welcome to Shanghai Mr. Roberts. I’m Chen Tianmin, from Shanghai Post and Telecommunication Service Development Company. I’m director of the company’s Overseas Department.

B: Nice to meet you, Director Chen. I’m very excited to visit your company and of course, to tour around Shanghai and the whole country.（很高兴见到您，陈主任。能访问贵公司我很兴奋，当然啰，我还有机会看看上海和整个中国，真令人兴奋。）A：您专程从英国赶来，我很高兴。我们为您来此参加工作，成为我部门的一员而感到骄傲和荣幸。我真诚的希望您的来访有价值、有意义。(I’m very happy that you have come all the way from Britain. We are very proud and honored that you will work with us, and be part of our department. I sincerely hope that your visit will be worthwhile and meaningful.)

B: It is indeed my pleasure and privilege to have received your gracious invitation and work with a distinguished group of people like Director Chen. I have been looking forward to this visit for years. I had a dream that someday I would visit China and work in the beautiful city of Shanghai for a while. I’m very grateful that you have made my dream come true.（受到贵公司的友好邀请，来此与陈主任这样杰出的人士合作共事，我深感愉快和荣幸。我曾梦想有朝一日能访问中国，能在美丽的上海工作一段时间。我很高兴您使我的梦想成真了。）

A：我真高兴您对这次来沪短期工作有如此高的期望。我们会尽力使您在沪期间过得舒适愉快。考虑到您的方便和舒适，您可以住在公司的外宾专用别墅。别墅紧挨着海滩，从那里骑自行车15分钟可到我公司海外部的办公楼。您一定喜欢。(I’m very glad that you have so hi gh expectations on this business trip in Shanghai. We will make an all-out effort to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. For your convenience and comfort, we accommodate you in one of company’s villas for overseas visitors. It is located by the beach, fifteen minutes’ bicycle ride from the office building of the Overseas Department. I’m sure you will like it.)

B: That’s wonderful. Isn’t it nice that not only “Overseas Department” looks “over the sea”, but also my residence? （好极了。不仅您的“海外部”面对着大海，我的寓所也面对着大海，这不是很有意思吗？）

A：罗伯茨先生，我真的很喜欢您的幽默感。您可知道“上海”这两个字在汉语里的字面意思是“海上之埠”？我们为能安排英国朋友在临海的寓所下榻而感到骄傲。英国不是海上岛国吗？(I really like your sense of humor, Mr. Roberts. Do you know that the word “Shanghai” in Chinese means literally “a port on the sea”? We’re very proud that we can offer our British friends a residence overlooking the sea. Britain is a country of islands on the sea, isn’t it?)

B: I like what you said, Director Chen. We have much in common with Shanghai and Shanghai people. I believe my wife will like here, too.（您说得好，陈主任。我们与上海以及上海人有许多共同之处。我太太一定会喜欢这里的。）

A：我希望您的家人能早日与您在此团聚。我公司会支付包括国际机票在内的一切所需费用。(I hope your family will join you soon. Our company will pay for all their expenses, including international flights.)

B: Thank you so much for your concern. My wife teaches at a university and the best time for her and our son to come over is when school breaks in the summer. Two more months to go. We simply can’t wait to see each other here in Shanghai.（非常感谢您的关心。我太太是大学教师，她与我们的儿子来这里的最佳时间是暑期。还要等上两个月。我们真的等不及在上海相会。）

A：真遗憾，您还要等那么久。(I’m sorry you have to wait for that long.)

B: You’re very nice, Director Chen, really.（陈主任，您真是个好人，真的）

A：长途飞行后您一定很累了。今晚有招待晚宴，您需要休息一下。晚上6时我派车来接您。(You must be very tired after a long flight, Mr. Roberts. You’ll need a rest for tonight’s reception party. I’l l send someone to pick you up at six.)

B: Very good.（好的。）

A：我得走了，我们晚上再见。(I’m leaving. See you in the evening, then)

B: Bye now. (再见。)

A：你好，罗伯茨先生。(Hi, Mr. Roberts.)

B: Hi, Miss Chen. I have been thinking about something lately and I’d like to share my thoughts with you.（你好，陈小姐。近来我一直在思考一件事。我想告诉你我的想法。）

A：好呀，请说。我很高兴能为您做些什么。(I’d like to hear them. And I’ll be very happy if I can help you with anything.)

B: In the West everybody is talking about going to the East and making an investment. Apparently a growing number of foreign firms have been pouring into China, and the Pudong Area of Shanghai is among the best choices of their investment destination. Today it is not a matter of whether to go east, but when and how.（现在西方人都在谈论去东方投资。显然，越来越多的外国公司纷纷涌入中国，而上海的浦东地区是人们投资的首选目的地之一。现在的问题不在于是否要去东方投资，而在于何时去投资为好，如何去投资为好。）

A：你说的完全对。海外人士在上海及周边地区的投资近年来翻了两番。出现这一高涨的投资热有很多缘由。除了中国是世界上经济增长最快的国家之一这个原因外，中国政府和地方政府很重视全面对外开放。不仅开放沿海城市，也开放内地，尽可能吸引外资。另外，许多海外机构与个人投资者认为，在中国直接投资比同中国公司做生意更有利可图。(You’re absolutely right. Overs eas investment in Shanghai and its surrounding areas has quadrupled in recent years. There are many reasons for this rising investment boom. Apart from the fact that China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Chinese central government and local governments focus a lot of their attention on opening the whole country up to the outside world, both the coastal cities and the country’s interior areas. They are doing all they can to attract foreign investment. On the other hand, many institutional and individual investors overseas find it more profitable to invest directly in China than just to do trade with Chinese companies.)

B: I’m not sure if I understand the logic behind this preference. I’m all years to your explanation.（这种偏爱的原因何在，我不太明白。请你解释一下，我愿闻其详。）

A：好的。基本情况是这样的，外国直接在华投资可以最大限度的发挥有关双方的优势。中国幅员辽阔，自然资源丰富，廉价劳动力充裕，税收抵，消费者市场不断增长，基础设施不断改善，当然啰，我们还有稳定的社会政治环境以及诱人的投资政策。这些优势难以在其他国家找到。而来自发达国家和地区的外国投资者则有充足的资金、先进的技术和管理知识。与做进出口贸易生意相比，在华直接投资则有更高的经济回报。(Ok. Basically, direct foreign investment in China maximizes the strengths of both parties concerned. China has massive land, abundant natural resources, huge cheap labor, low taxation, a growing consumer market, improving infrastructure and of course, a stable social and political environment with attractive investment policies. All these are rarely found elsewhere in the world. On the other hand, foreign investors from developed countries or areas have sufficient funds, advanced technology and managerial expertise. Direct investment in China will yield higher economic returns than import and export trade.)

B: You’re right. I have friends who are interested in direct investment in China. Do you have any idea about the best place in which to invest?（你说的有道理。我有一些朋友有意在中国直接投资。至于投资的最佳地点，你有何高见？）

A：就我个人来说，我希望你们在上海的浦东地区投资。这倒不是因为浦东是我的家乡，而是因为浦东确实是投资者的理想场所。如果你或你的朋友有兴趣，我可以向你们提供许多研究资料。我也听说过许多关于在中国内地和其他沿海城市进行投资而获得极大成功的例子。真的很难说哪一个地方为最佳。也许应该说在某一时期的某一地点进行投资更好。(Personally, I like you to invest in the Pudong Area of Shanghai. Not because it’s my hometown, but it is really an ide al place for investment. If you or your friends are interested, I have a lot of investment literature for you to study. I have also heard of many very successful stories of foreign investment in China’s inland areas and other coastal cities. There’s really no the best place. It’s a matter of a better place at a given time.)

B: My next question concerns the forms of investment that are allowed in China currently.（接下来的一个问题是，目前有哪些许可的投资形式？）

A：投资方式很多，你可以同中方合资办企业，也可以独资办公司。(There’s a variety of ways to invest in China. Among others you can invest in a joint venture with a Chinese partner, or establish a business independently, that is, set up a company solely founded and owned by a foreign investor.)

B: What is the difference?（两者有何不同？）

A：投资兴办合资企业时，通常外放提供资金、机械设备、先进技术和管理方法，而中方则提供土地、劳动力以及部分用于基础设施建设的资金。至于独自企业嘛，外商提供所有的资金，赚取所有利润，同时承担所有的风险。你可以选择自己喜欢的方式经营独资公司，当然不可超越中国法律。(With a joint venture, a foreign partner usually brings into the enterprise or business capital funds, machinery, advanced technology and management, while Chinese partner supplies land, labor and a portion of the funds for the infrastructure. The business is then jointly run by both parties. As for the solely foreign-funded business, you provide all the funds and take all the benefits, as well as all the risks. You can run the company in whatever way you prefer, within the boundary of Chinese laws, of course.)

B: Your explanations are very enlightening. If we should decide to invest in Shanghai,

we’d like you to be our Chinese consultant. I hope you won’t refuse our offer then.（你的解释使我茅塞顿开。如果我们决定在上海投资，我们想请你担任我们的中方顾问。希望你不要推辞。）

A：我深感荣幸。希望早日为您的投资尽力。(It’s my honor. And I’m looking forward to my early service.)

A：罗伯茨先生，很高兴再次见到您。有什么需要我做的吗？(I’m happy to see you again, Mr. Roberts. May I help you in some way?)

B: Hi, Miss Chen, It’s been ten months since I left China. I would like to discuss with you the possibilities of establishing a joint venture with your company to manufacture cordless phones and mobile phones.（你好，陈小姐，离开中国已有10个月了。我打算同你商谈下能否与贵公司合资兴办企业，共同生产无绳电话和移动电话。）A：好极了。您的投资意向是明智的。我公司也正在寻求外资，合办一家生产无绳电话和移动电话的制造公司，您的提议很好。罗伯茨先生，我还记得一年前曾同您讨论过有关外国在华投资的事情。(That’s great. Your investment proposal is a very wise decision. Our company is also seeking foreign investment in a manufacturing company for cordless and mobile phones. Your initiative is most welcome. I remember talking to you about the matter of foreign investment in China a year ago, Mr. Roberts.)

B: Yes, you did a good job. The whole idea of my investing in a joint enterprise with your company is the direct result of your wonderful lecture. Your answers are direct and honest. And your explanations were sincere and persuasive. May I get on China’s economic express train and share your economic gains?（是的，那次你谈得很好。其结果是触发了我同贵公司合资办企业的念头。你的回答很坦率，你的解释很诚恳，很有说服力。现在我想搭乘中国经济快车，分享你们的经济成果，好吗？）A：当然可以。欢迎罗伯茨先生加入我们的行列！我们来讨论一下合资企业的事宜吧。您能告诉我您的设想吗？(Of course. Welcome aboard, Mr. Roberts! Let’s get down to the business of this joint venture. May I have some idea of your proposal?) B: I did a lot of research in the market of telecommunications equipment lately. There’s a potential market for cordless and mobile phones in China and elsewhere in the world. Initially, I would like to embark on this joint venture business at a moderate rate, with a safe scale. My suggestion for the amount of total capital investment is in the vicinity of eight million US dollars, a lucky number in China, I suppose.（最近我对电信设备的市场作了一番调查。中国乃至全世界的无绳电话和移动电话的市场，潜力很大。在合资企业的起步阶段，我希望有一个稳妥的速度和规模。我建议投资总额在八百万美元左右，我想中国人喜欢这个吉利的数字。）

A：很好。800万岂止是个吉利的数字，我认为这对启动这家合资企业来说是很合适的。那么您在合资中打算占多少投资比重呢？(Very good. Eight million is more than a lucky number; it’s the right number for the initiation of this joint venture, as I understand it. But how much would be your share of investment in this partnership?)

B: My contribution is 50% of the total investment, including the construction funds

and the cost of all the imported equipment, and the engineers, technicians and management staff from my home company.（我愿提供占投资总额50%的资金，其中包括建设资金、全部进口设备的费用以及来自我们国内公司的工程师、技工和管理人员的费用。）

A：我对你这个5:5对半开的合伙投资比例很满意。这就是说我们在经营管理和利润分配上也保持一种5:5对半开的权益关系。(I like the idea of a 50 to 50 investment partnership, in which case there will be a 50-to-50 distribution in business management and profit share.)

B: You’re absolutely right.（完全正确。）

A：接下来的问题是产品的营销。无绳电话在中国有很大的需求量，但是我们无法保证在国内推销50%移动电话。此外，我们需要增加外汇储备，“天晴还需防雨天嘛”。我建议贵方负责向海外推销65%以上的移动电话，您看如何？我相信您对外汇的需求大于对人民币的需求。(The problem then involves the marketing of the manufactured products. Cordless phones are in high demand in China, but we can’t gua rantee a 50% domestic marketing of mobile phones. Besides, we need to increase our foreign exchange reserve for the rainy day. May I suggest that you market at least 65% of the total number mobiles phones internationally? I believe you need more foreign currency than our renminbi.)

B: I love renminbi. We all know it is one of the strongest currencies in the world. And I have heard that the Chinese yuan will become a convertible currency soon. But I accept your proposal and we will be responsible for the international marketing of two-thirds of the mobile phones.（我很喜欢人民币。我们都知道这是世界上最坚挺的货币之一。我还听说中国的人民币不久便可成为一种可兑换的货币。不过我接受您的建议，我们负责在国际市场上推销三分之二的移动电话。）

A：好极了。(That’s beautiful.)

B: Two more questions. One concerns the term of our partnership and the other the management’s structure of the venture.（还有两个问题需要解决。一个问题是有关我们的合作期限，另一个问题涉及企业管理人员的结构。）

A：至于我们的合作期限，我们可以定为15年，只要双方愿意，合同期满后我们还可以续签。您意下如何？(As for the term of the partnership, let’s start with a 15-year term for this joint venture, and extend the contract later if both parties wish to continue the partnership. What do you say to this?)

B: That’s quite logical. May I suggest that we set up a board of directors for the management of the company and share rights and obligations as equal partners?（非常合理。我建议成立董事会来监管公司的业务运作，我们以平等的伙伴关系来分享我们的权利和义务。）

A：正合我的想法。下周我们是否再举行一轮会谈，详细讨论一些技术性问题？(That coincides with our usual practice. Shall we hold another round of discussion next week on some technical problems in a more detailed way?)

B: That’s fine. I like to work with you, as I did before. It’s been a very rewarding day.（好的。同以往一样，我乐意与你合作。今天的收获很大。）

A：收获确实很大。罗伯茨先生，祝您周末愉快。(Yes, indeed. Have a nice weekend, Mr. Roberts.)

B: You, too.（我也祝你周末愉快。）

A：罗伯茨先生，您在中国生活两年了，还习惯吧？(Mr. Roberts, you have been living in China for two years. How do you like it?)

B: I think I’m quite used to my Chinese life here. Actually I’m thinking about setting down in China for good.（我想我已十分习惯这里的生活了，其实我还想在中国永久定居呢。）

A：前几天我看了一部美国电影，片名叫《美国丽人》。我没有完全看懂，我也不知道这部电影为何获得了当年的奥斯卡最佳影片奖。没完全看懂可能是中美两国的文化差异吧，或者叫做东西方文化差异。(I saw an American Movie a few days ago, which is entitled “American Beauty”. I didn’t quite get the story. I don’t quite understand why this movie won the Oscar for the best picture of the year, either. Maybe the answer is the difference between the Chinese and American cultures. Or rather, it is due to the cultural difference between the East and the West.)

B: This is a good topic and a broad topic, too. Let me talk a bit more about the film you mentioned. Actually, I have noticed a very interesting difference between many Chinese and Americans in understanding the title of the film.（这是一个很好的话题，也是一个很大的题目。我想先从你提到的影片谈起。事实上，我注意到许多中国人和美国人在理解此片名时有一个非常有趣的差别。）

A：是吗？(Yes?)

B: In some Oriental countries, the translation of the film’s title goes as something like A Beautiful American Lady, or even Beauty is Guilty. While to the most of Americans, I am afraid the reaction toward this title is mixed or confused, for they cannot decide what exactly the phase might indicate. The film first and foremost refers to a type of rose bearing large, long-stemmed purplish-red flowers. And the flowers usually remind people of the romance, love, beauty in its abstract sense, and vigor and vitality of a nation, etc. But this interesting image on the film’s poster has failed to make any sense to many Chinese viewers.（一些东方国家将这部电影的片名译成《一个美丽的美国女士》，甚至译成《美丽有罪》。但大多数美国人对于这种片名的反应颇为复杂，他们颇感困惑，难以断定这些词究竟意味着什么。其实American Beauty 首先是指一种美国红玫瑰，一种生有长茎的紫红色的大花。这种花会让人想到浪漫、爱情、抽象意义上的美，它还表示民族的勃勃生机等。我认为，这种见于电影海报的有趣意象，许多中国观众却未能理解其中的含义。）

A：你说的没错。至少我就没注意到这个意思。难道这是文化差异造成的吗？(That’s right. At least I didn’t get that. Is this due to cultural difference?)

B: Yes, absolutely. Such cultural differences arise from the difference in region, race, history, environment, and in the levels of economic, scientific and technological development.（确实是这样。这种文化差异是由地域、种族、历史和环境的差异造成的，也是由经济和科技水平的差异造成的。）

A：您能给我举些例子吗？比如说，您在中国的生活和工作中发现什么严重的文化差异或冲突吗？(Can you offer us some examples? For instance, during your stay in China, have you found any serious cultural differences or clashes with regard to life and work?)

B: We emphasize efficiency, competition and originality while your management gives priority to careful planning and encourages close cooperation and altruistic dedication among team members. In daily contacts, we tend top be humorous and casual while some of you appear more serious and formal. In American schools, discussion is given top priority and seminar is the usual way of class. Good teachers are those who posses flexible and adaptable talents, and are able to respond instantaneously at any moment to any questions that might arise among the students. That kind of capacity makes a popular teacher in the United States. But Chinese teachers like to lecture in class, and a lot of them are obsessed with examinations; they spend long hours planning and preparing lessons, and writing consistent and standardized teaching plans. All too often, they’re happy with bringing up identical and standardized talents.（我们强调效率、竞争和独创性，而你们则将严谨规划放在首位，鼓励团队成员之间的密切合作和无私奉献。在日常交往中，我们往往比较幽默和随意，而你们则比较认真和严肃。在美国学校，讨论享有至高无上的地位，讨论就是课堂教学的主旋律。优秀教师具有灵活应变的才能，能随时回答学生可能提出的各种问题。这样的教师最受学生欢迎。而中国的教师喜欢讲课，喜欢考试，花许多时间去备课，编写千篇一律的标准教案，培养整齐划一的高材生。）A：我感觉美国人太注重个人主义，太注重个人利益，这样可能会牺牲集体的利益，影响群体之间的和睦，甚至会损害社会的和谐。(I think Americans give too much importance to individualism and personal gains, so much so that it might sacrifice collective benefits, hurt the agreeable relationship among group members and even bring harm to the harmony of the society.)

B: Yes, in many cases, you’re right. American working ethic seems to be more individual-oriented. We often value results and accomplishments of work more than its process. Central to American political, economic and social thought is the concept individual moral autonomy. If I am not mistaken, traditional Chinese philosophical systems are based on Confucianism, which sings high praises for individuals to uplift themselves for the benefits of communal harmony. That is, communal harmony takes precedence over individual freedom.（你说的对，在很多情况下，确实如此。我们美国人的工作理念似乎更强调个人主义。我们一般重视的是结果和成就，而不是过程。美国政治观、经济观以及社会观的核心是个人道德自治观。如果我没理解错的话，中国传统的思想体系是以儒家学说为基础的，这种思想强调整体和谐，强调整体和谐高于个体自由。）

A：可以这样说，应该说是部分正确吧。尽管我们有如此多的文化差异，全球化浪潮正使世界变得越来越小，文化交流也随之变得越来越广泛。(You may say so.

I should say you’re partially correct on that. In spite of so many cultural differences, globalization has brought the world increasingly closer. Likewise, cultural exchanges have become more and more extensive.)

B: Yes. The global integration of economy and the speeding information revolution have brought the world closer than ever before. Chinese learn English, Americans learn Chinese; we drink tea, you drink coca-cola; we exercise Kung Fu, you go bowling; we enjoy Peking Duck, you like KFC; Titanic sailed into China, The Peony Pavilion has been performed on Broadway. Nowadays, easterners and westerners are walking side by side, talking face to face, living, working and studying in harmony.

The whole world is becoming increasingly beautiful due to cultural exchanges.（是的。全球经济一体化，不断加速的信息革命，等等，都使世界的联系比以往更加紧密。中国人学习英语，美国人学习汉语；我们饮茶，你们喝可乐；我们练功夫，你们玩保龄球；我们品尝北京烤鸭，你们喜欢肯德基；《泰坦尼克号》驶进了中国，《牡丹亭》也在百老汇上演了。现在，东西方人肩并肩走路，面对面交谈，和谐的工作、生活和学习。整个世界由于文化的交流而变得越来越美丽。）

A：是的，“中国丽人”和“美国丽人”走到了一起。我想这个话题还有很多值得我们探讨的地方，由于时间关系，我们今天暂且谈到这里。以后我们再接着聊吧。谢谢。(Yes, “Chinese beauty” and “American beauty” are walking together. I believe there’s still muc h room for further discussion on this topic. As time is limited, we have to stop here today. We’ll find some other time to continue our talk. Thank you.) B: My pleasure. Yes, we’ll do it some other time.（不客气。是呀，我们另找时间再接着聊。）