2019年英语四级翻译模拟:抓周
在中国, 小孩子的抓周(one-year-old catch)仪式独具风格,在孩子的成长过程中,这个仪式具有里程碑式的重要意义。抓周仪式在小孩满一周岁的时候举行,最早记载于北齐。小孩子满周岁的那天,在吃中午的长寿面之前,家里的长辈们会将书、笔、钱币、首饰、玩具和食物等摆出来,由大人将小孩抱过来,令其端坐,大人们不给于任何的引导或暗示,任孩子任意挑选,并以此为依据来预测孩子可能存在的志趣和将要从事的职业以及发展,也寄寓了长辈们对孩子的美好期待。
【参考译文】
In China, the one-year-old catch of a baby is of unique characteristic. The ceremony is of milestone-like significance in the growing process of a baby. The ceremony usually celebrates when the baby is one year old. The earliest historical record about one-year-old catch appeared during the Northern Qi Dynasty. On the day when a baby is one year old, the family of the baby will lay out books, pens, coins, jewelries, toys and foods, etc. the parents hen put the baby in front of these articles and make him/ her sit up. Nobody will give any instruction or cue to the baby so that it is left free to choose by himself/ herself. According to the articles the baby catches, the family tries to make predictions about the baby’s potential interests, future career and development. The ceremony also represents that the elder place good wishes and hope on the baby.