有什么因翻译而误国的事情？ 第1页

1.“我很高兴捏到了波兰的私处”

Jimmy Carter knew how to get an audience to pay attention. In a speech given during the US President's 1977 visit to Poland, he appeared to express sexual desire for the then-Communist country. Or that's what his translator said, anyway. It turned out Carter had said he wanted to learn about the Polish people's "desires for the future".
“Carter was happy to be in Poland” was translated into "he was happy to grasp at Poland's private parts".

美国前总统吉米·卡特知道如何吸引观众的注意。在他1977年访问波兰发表演说时，他似乎对当时还是共产主义国家的波兰表现出性欲——或者他是被翻译给坑了。后来才发现，卡特原来说的是希望了解波兰人民“对未来的渴望”。

2.“ 我今早离开美国”=“我离开美国，再也不回去了”

Earning a place in history, his translator also turned "I left the United States this morning" into "I left the United States, never to return"

还是卡特的翻译官干的·······

3.“我们要埋葬你们”

Yet when set in context, Khruschev's words were closer to meaning "Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will dig you in". He was stating that Communism would outlast capitalism, which would destroy itself from within, referring to a passage in Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto that argued "What the bourgeoisie therefore produces, above all, are its own grave-diggers." While not the most calming phrase he could have uttered, it was not the sabre-rattling threat that inflamed anti-Communists and raised the spectre of a nuclear attack in the minds of Americans.

然而根据上下文来看，赫鲁晓夫原话的意思应该是“不管你们喜不喜欢，历史都在我们这一边。我们会为你们掘土。”他实际上指的是马克思在《共产党宣言》里写的一段话“资产阶级生产的首先是自身的掘墓人”，意思是资本主义将从内部自我毁灭，共产主义最终将战胜资本主义。虽然这句话也不那么让人安心，但毕竟还算不上什么刀光剑影的恫吓，也不至于激怒反共势力，让如临大敌的美国人以为受到了核威胁。

4.·········

来个书面翻译而非口译的例子吧。大部分语言里公文使用的书面语与口语差别很大，尤以文言文与白话的差别为甚。1793年出使清朝的马戛尔尼使团就在这个问题上出了大麻烦。

马戛尔尼使团并不是没有找翻译。英国人在广州十三行与清朝官员打交道一般依赖通事。这些人教育程度不高，英文仅限于洋泾浜水平。因此马戛尔尼遣副使斯当东到欧洲大陆寻访中文翻译，终于在那不勒斯传道会高薪聘请了周保罗和李雅各这两名翻译（周保罗到了澳门就跑路了，李雅各一直留到最后）。这两人不通英文，只会说拉丁语，但马戛尔尼会说拉丁语，且国书等重要文件都有英文本和拉丁文本。不会英文对于文书翻译并不影响。麻烦的是这两位十几岁就到欧洲学习传教，并没有受过科场的历练，对于公文写作一窍不通。这一点连副使斯当东都察觉到了。马戛尔尼使团到北京以后获得了耶稣会教士的协助，但由于英葡英法矛盾（在北京的耶稣会教士以葡萄牙人和法国人为主），重要文件交给他们翻译的并不多。

马戛尔尼递交给乾隆的国书就是一部翻译极其拙劣的文书。译者是何许人已不可考，但可以确定的是这位译者可能是北方人，几乎完全不通公文写作。为适应朝贡秩序而调整文字自然可以理解，但言辞实在俚俗不堪，只能为乾隆和清廷大员所耻笑。

His Most Sacred Majesty George the Third, by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Sovereign of the Seas, Defender of the Faith and so forth, To the Supreme Emperor of China Kien-long worthy to live tens of thousands and tens of thousands thousand years, sendeth Greeting.
　　　英吉利国王热沃尔日敬奏
　　中国
大皇帝万万岁：热沃尔日第三世，蒙天主恩英吉利国大红毛及佛朗西依拜尔呢雅国王、海主，恭惟
大皇帝万万岁，应该坐殿万万年。

The natural disposition of a great and benevolent Sovereign, such as is Your Imperial Majesty, whom Providence has seated upon a Throne for the good of Mankind, is, to watch over the peace and security of his dominion, and to take pains for disseminating happiness, virtue and knowledge among his subjects, extending also the same beneficence with all the peaceful arts, as far as he is able, to the whole human race.
本国知道中国地方甚大，管的百姓甚多，大皇帝的心里长把天下的事情、各处的人民时时照管，不但中国地方，连外国的地方都要保护他。他们又都心里悦服，内外安宁。各国所有各样学问、各样技艺，大皇帝恩典都照管他们，叫他们尽心出力，又能长进生发、变通精妙。

Impressed with such sentiments from the beginning of Our Reign when We found Our People engaged in War We granted to Our enemies, after obtaining Victories over them in the four quarters of the World the blessings of Peace upon the most equitable condition. Since that period not satisfied with promoting the prosperity of Our own subjects in every respect, and beyond the example of any former times We have taken various opportunities of fitting out Ships and sending in them some of the most wise and learned of Our Own People, for the discovery of distant and unkown region, not for the purpose of conquest, or of enlarging Our dominion which are already sufficiently extensive for all Our wishes, not for the purpose of acquiring wealth, or even of favoring the commerce of Our Subjects, but for the sake of increasing Our knowledge of the habitable Globe, of finding out the various production of the Earth, and for communicating the arts and comforts of life to those parts where they were hitherto little known; and We have since sent vessels with the animals and vegetables most useful to Man, to Islands and places where it appeared they had been wanting.
本国早有心要差人来，皆因本境四周地方俱不平安，耽搁多时。如今把四面的仇敌都平服了，本境平安，造了许多大船，差了许多明白的人，漂洋到各处。并不是想要添自己的国土，自己的国土也够了，也不是为贪图买卖便宜，但为着要见识普天下各地方有多少处，各处事情物件可以彼此通融，别国的好处我们能得着，我们的好处别国也能得着。恐各处地方，我们有知道不全的，也有全不知道的。从前的想头要知道，如今蒙天主的恩可办成了，要把各处的禽兽、草木、土物各件都要知道，要把四方十界的物件，各国相互交易，大家都得便宜。是以长想着要将各国的风俗礼法明白了。

We have been still more anxious to enquire into the arts and manners of Countries where civilization has been perfected by the wise ordinances and virtuous examples of their Sovereigns thro a long series of ages; and above all, Our ardent wish had been to become acquainted with those celebrated institution of Your Majesty’s populous and extensive Empire which have carried its prosperity to such a height as to be the admiration of all surrounding Nation –
如今闻得各处惟有中国大皇帝管的地方，一切风俗礼法比别处更高，至精至妙，实在是头一处，各处也都赞美心服的。故此越发想念着来向化输诚。

And now that We have by prudence and Justice avoided the calamities of War into which discord and ambition have plunged most of the other Kingdoms of Europe, and that by engaging Our Allies in Hindostan to put an end to hostilities occasioned by the attack of an ambious Neighbour, even when it was in Our power to destroy him, We have the happiness of being at peace with all the World, no time can be so propitious for extending the bounds of friendship and benebolence, and for proposing to communicate and receive those benefits which must result from an unreserved and amicable intercourse, between such great and civilzed Nation as China and Great Britain.
此时不单大西洋都平安，就是小西洋红毛邻国的人，他没有理，同本国打仗，也都平复了。如今本国与各处全平安了，所以趁此时候，得与中国大皇帝进献表贡，盼望得些好处。

Many of Our subjects have also frequented for a long time past a remote part of Your Majesty’s dominion for the purpose of Trade. No doubt, the interchange of commodities between Nation distantly situated tends to their mutual convenience, industry and wealth, as the blessings which the Great God of Heaven has conferred upon various soils and climates are thus distributed among his Creatures scattered over the surface of the Earth.
从前本国的许多人到中国海口来做买卖，两下的人都能得好处。

But such an intercourse requires to be properly conducted, so as that the new Comers may not infringe the laws and Customs of the Country they visit, and that on the other hand they may be received on terms of hospitality and meet the Justice and protection due to Strangers. We are indeed equally desirous to restrain Our Subjects from doing evil or even of shewing ill example in any foreign Country, as We are that [they] should receive no injury in it.
但两下往来，各处都有规矩，自然各守法度。惟愿我的人到各处去，安分守规矩，不叫他们生事。但人心不一样，如没有一个人严严管束他们，就恐不能保其不生事。

There is no method of effecting so good a purpose, but by the residence of a proper Person authorized by Us to regulate their conduct and to receive complaints against them whenever they should give occasion for any to be made against them, as well as any they might conider as having just cause to make of ill treatment towards them.
By such means every misunderstanding may be prevented, every inconveniences removed, a firm and lasting friendship cemented and a return of mutual good offices secured between our respective Empires.
故此求与中国永远平安和好，必得派一我国的人，带我的权柄，住在中国地方，以便弹压我们来的人。有不是，罚他们，有委曲，亦可护他们。这样办法，可保诸事平安。

All these conideration have determined Us to depute an Embassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Your Court, and willing to make choice for this purpose of a Person truly worthy of representing Us and of appearing before Your August Presence We have fixed upon Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Right Honorable George Lord Viscount Macartney, Baron of Lissanoure and one of Our most honorable Privy Council of Our Kingdom of Great Britain, Knight of the most honorable order of the Bath and of the most ancient and royal order of the White Eagle, and Fellow of Our Royal Society of London for the promotion of natural knowledge, a Nobleman of high rank and quality, of great virtue, wisdom and ability, who has filled many important offices in the State of trust and honor, has already worthily represented Our Person in an Embassy to the Court of Russia, and has governed with mildness, justice and success, several of Our most coniderable possession in the Eastern and western Parts of the World, and appointed to the Government General of Bengal, to be Our Embassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Your Imperial Majesty with credentials under Our Great Seal of Our Kingdoms and Our Sign Manual, to whom We entreat Your Majesty to grant a gracious reception, as well as a favorable attention to his Representation.
我如今为这些缘故，特差一个人到中国来照管这些事情。要得一妥当明白的人，又有才学，又有权柄，又要到得大皇帝跟前对答上来的。故此我所派的热沃尔日吗哩格德呢公哩萨诺吧咙，是本国王的亲戚，忠信良善，议国事的大臣，身上带的两个恩典的凭据，从许多博学人里挑出来一个大博学的人。他从前办过多少大事，又到俄罗斯国出过差，又管过多少地方办事，又到过小西洋本噶拉等处属国地方料理过事情。这就是此次派的正贡使，到大皇帝驾前办事。因他能办差使，表文上有本国的印信为凭。所以叫他将表文呈进。在大皇帝驾前说话，如自己说话一般。如今求大皇帝见他，即同见我，与他说话，即同与我说话一样，施恩典看待他。

And in order to avoid every possibility of interruption in this amicable communication which we wish to establish and maintain with Your sublime Person and Court, and which might happen after the departure of Our said Embassador Extraordinary whose presence may be necessary to Our Affairs elsewhere or in case of his death or ocassional absence from Your Capital, We have appointed Our trusty and well beloved Sir George Staunton, Bart., honorary Doctor of Laws of Our University of Oxford, and Fellow of Our Royal Society of London for the promotion of natural knowledge, whom We have appointed Our Secretary of Embassy under the direction of Our Embassador as a Gentleman of wisdom and knowledge who hath already served us with fidelity and zeal as a Member of Our honorable Council and Colonel of Militia in some of Our Dominion in the West Indies, and appointed by Us Our Attorney General in the same, and hath since exercised with ability and success the Office of Commissioner for treating and making Peace with Tippoo Sultaun, one of the most coniderable Princes of Hindostan, to be also Minister Plenipotentiary to Your August Person, with Credentials likewise under Our Great Seal, and for whom, in case of the death departure or occasional absence of Our said Embassador Extraordinary, We entreat in like manner Your Majesty’s gracious reception and attention to his Representation in Our name.
我又恐正贡使到正贡使那里或有别的缘故，所以又派一副贡使临时替他，也与正贡使一样。热沃尔日寻沃纳多当东，这也是个体面人，他的博学会办事，与正贡使一样的。故此从前派他在海岛平复过许多的事情，又到小西洋痕都斯坦国与那第博苏渥尔当王讲和过事。因他能办这些事，能出力，故此派他同去，预备着好替正贡使办事。再求大皇帝也与正贡使一样恩待他。

We rely on Your Imperial Majesty’s wisdom and Justice and general benevolence to Mankind so conpicuous in Your long and happy reign that You will please to allow Our Ambassador and Representative at Your Court to have the opportunity of contemplating the example of Your virtues and to obtain such information of Your celebrated institution as will enable him to enlighten Our People on his return; He, on Our part being directed to give, as far as Your Majesty shall please to desire it, a full and free communication of any art, science, or observation, either of use or curiosity, which the industry ingenuity and experience of Europeans may have enabled them to acquire:
如今我国知道大皇帝圣功威德、公正仁爱的好处，故恳请将所差的人在北京城切近观光，沐浴教化，以便回国时奉扬德政，化道本国众人。至所差的人，如大皇帝用他的学问巧思，要他办些事，做些精巧技艺，只管委他。或在内地办不出来，还好寄信来，在大西洋各地方采办得出来的。

And also that You will be pleased to ① allow to any of Our Subjects frequenting the Coasts of Your dominion, and conducting themselves with propriety a secure residence there, and a fair access to Your Markets, under such laws and regulation, as Your Majesty shall think right, and that their lives and properties shall be safe under Your Imperial protection: ② that one Man shall not suffer for the crime of another, in which he did not participate, and whose evasion for Justice he did not assist, but that every measure shall be taken on the part of your Government as Our Embassador is instructed strictly to direct to be taken on the part of Our People to seize and bring to condign Punishment, any of Our Subjects transgressing the laws or good order of Your Empire, or disturbing the Peace and friendship subsisting between Us.
我本国的人，或是在中国管的地方住着，或是来做买卖，若是他果能安分小心，求大皇帝加恩，他们都好仗着鸿福承受厚恩。他们若得了不是，即该处治。若并无不是，自然常受大皇帝的恩典。

We have particularly instructed Our Embassador to take every method in his Power to mark Our regard and friendly disposition to Your Imperial Majesty, and it will give Us the utmost satisfaction to learn that Our wishes in that respect have been amply complied with and that as We are Brethren in Soverignty, so may a Brotherly affection ever subsist between Us.
贡使起身，亦详细嘱咐他在大皇帝前小心敬慎，方显得一片诚心，能得大皇帝喜欢，下怀亦得喜欢。

May the Almighty have you in his holy protection!
Given at Our Court at St. James’s in London the
And in the 32nd Year of Our Reign.
Imperator Augustissime
Vester bonus grater et Amicus
Georgius R
惟有祷求全善天主保护大皇帝常享太平之福，庇佑英吉利国永远平安受福。

Augustissimo Principi
Kien Long
Sinarum Supremo Imperatori

天主降生一千七百九十二年
英吉利国王热沃尔日三十二年

有没有一种英语刚过四级就妄图写英语论文的感觉呢？

Reference:

王宏志, 2008. "馬戛爾尼使華的翻譯問題." 中央研究院近代史研究所集刊 第 63 期（民國 98 年 3 月），97-145.

澳大利亚曾在朝鲜半岛“无辜中枪”过一次。

[1975年朝鲜与澳大利亚建交，出人意料的是，建交还不到半年，朝鲜方面没有作出任何说明，就撤回了自已的驻澳大使，同时驱逐了澳驻朝大使，两国从此中断了外交关系长达25年之久，到2000年5月份，才正式恢复了外交关系。当年为何断交成为澳大利亚政府和舆论多年猜测而始终未得要领的一个谜。

自5月澳朝两国复交已来，两国关系开始走上正常。澳洲记者询问当年事件..

然后..朝外交部一位高官的解释让他们惊呆了，原来是一位翻译错译国名所致_(:з」∠)_

据这位外交官称，1975年在三八线上发生了一件事：

朝鲜人民军和联合国部队曾在共同警备区发生打斗，朝方在现场发现一把奥地利制造的斧头。

在场的有人懂英文，认出斧头上刻有“MADE IN AUSTRIA(奥地利制造)”字样，但这个英文翻译却将此译成了“澳大利亚制造(MADE IN AUSTRALIA)”。由此以讹传讹，引起人们对澳大利亚的极大愤怒。于是朝鲜政府作出了撤回大使，断绝外交关系的决定。

_(:з」∠)_真的好蠢啊 奥地利没有袋鼠

[事件有点久远不确定是否是真的 嗯]

小平同志：香港问题没那么复杂，就像小葱拌豆腐，一清二白

翻译：The HK issue is not that complicated, it's actually as clear as crystal.

小平同志：对了，贵国有豆腐吃吗？

翻译：Do you have crystal in your country?

撒切尔：yes 翻译：有啊…

小平同志：那是南豆腐还是北豆腐？

翻译卒…