Talking about Chinese culture (bilingual)
1.剪纸
剪纸是中国民间艺术的一种独特形式,已有2000多年历史。剪纸很可能源于汉代,继纸张发明之后。从此,它在中国的许多地方得到了普及。剪纸用的材料和工具很简单:纸和剪刀。剪纸作品通常是用红纸做成的,因为红色在中国传统文化中与幸福相联。因此,在婚礼、春节等喜庆场合,红颜色的剪纸是门窗装饰的首选。
参考译文:
Paper cutting is a unique form of Chinese folk art and has a history of more than 2,000 years. Paper cutting probably originates in the Han Dynasty, following the invention of paper. Since then, it has gained popularity in many places of China. The materials and tools used for paper cutting are simple: paper and scissors. Paper-cuts are usually made of red paper, because red is associated with happiness in traditional Chinese culture. Therefore, on festive occasions such as weddings and the Chinese New Year, red paper-cuts are the first choice for decorating doors and windows.
2.灯笼
灯笼起源于东汉, 最初主要用于照明。在唐代,人们用红灯笼来庆祝安定的生活。从那时起,灯笼在中国的许多地方流行起来。灯笼通常用色彩鲜艳的薄纸制作,形状和尺寸各异。在中国传统文化中,红灯笼象征生活美满和生意兴隆,通常在春节、元宵节和国庆等节日期间悬挂。如今,世界上许多其他地方也能看到红灯笼。
参考译文:
Lanterns originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and were at first used primarily for lighting. In the Tang Dynasty, people used red lanterns to celebrate a stable life. Since then, lanterns have became popular in many parts of China. Lanterns are usually made of brightly-colored tissue paper in a variety of shapes and sizes. In traditional Chinese culture, red lanterns symbolize a happy life and flourishing business, usually hung during festivals like the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and National Day. Today, red lanterns can be seen in many other parts of the world.
3.舞狮
舞狮作为中国传统民间表演已有2000多年历史。在狮子舞中,两位表演者同披一件狮子服,一个舞动头部,另一个舞动身体和尾巴。他们熟练配合,模仿狮子的各种动作。狮子是兽中之王,象征幸福和好运,所以人们通常在春节和其他节日期间表演狮子舞。狮子舞也可能出现在其他重要场合,如商店开业和结婚典礼,往往吸引许多人观赏。
参考译文:
The lion dance has been a traditional Chinese folk art for more than 2000 years. In the lion dance, two performers share a lion costume, one moving the head and the other moving the body and tail. They skillfully cooperate to imitate the various movements of a lion. As the king of beasts, the lion symbolizes happiness and good luck, so people usually perform lion dances during the Spring Festival and other festivals. Lion dances can also be seen on other important occasions, such as store openings and wedding ceremonies, which often attract many people to watch.
4.风筝
在山东潍坊市,风筝不仅仅是玩具,而且还是这座城市文化的标志。潍坊以“风筝之都“而闻名,已有将近2400年放飞风筝的历史。传说中国古代哲学家墨子(Motze)用了三年时间在潍坊制作了世界上首个风筝,但放飞的第一天风筝就坠落并摔坏了。也有人相信风筝是中国古代木匠鲁班发明的。据说他的风筝用木头和竹子制作,飞了三天后才落地。
参考译文
In Weifang, Shandong, kites are not only for entertainment.It also symbolizes the culture of the city. Weifang is known as the“capital of kites” with a history of nearly 2,400 years in flying kites. It is said that the ancient Chinese philosopher Motze took three years to make the first kite right in Weifang. It fell and broke, however, on its first day of flying. Some also believes that it was the carpenter Lu Ban that first invented the kite. It’s said that his kite was made of wood and bamboo and it landed after three days’ flying.
5. 功夫
功夫是中国武术的俗称。中国武术的起源可以追溯到自卫的需要、狩猎活动以及古代中国的军事训练。它是中国传统体育运动的一种,年轻人老年人都练。它已逐渐演变成了中国文化的独特元素。作为中国的国宝,功夫有上百种不同的风格,是世界上练的最多的武术形式。有些风格模仿了动物的动作,还有一些则受到了中国哲学思想、神话和传说的启发。
参考译文
Kung Fu is a Chinese martial arts known. Origin of Chinese martial arts can be traced back to self-defense needs, hunting activities and military training in ancient China. It is a traditional Chinese sport, young people have practiced the elderly. It has gradually evolved into the unique elements of Chinese culture. As China's national treasure, there are hundreds of different martial arts styles, a form of martial arts in the world practice the most. Some styles imitate animal movements, and some are inspired by Chinese philosophy, myths and legends.