據1979年版《辭?!?,第925頁在“洪”的字條下有對“洪荒”一詞的解釋。
【洪荒】謂混沌、聣昧的狀態,也指遠古時代。謝靈運《三月三日侍宴西池》詩:詳觀記牒,洪荒莫傳。
這不是現代人發明的詞匯,但洪荒之力這個詞卻是近幾年因為一部網絡熱播古裝劇而火起來的,大意就是指是如天地初開之時這種足以毀滅世界的力量。
聽到這里,學習英語的各位同學認為應該如何翻譯呢?
報紙China Daily的報道中,是這樣寫的:
When asked whether she held back for the final, Fu replied, "No, I utilized my prehistorical power." What she meant was that she had spared no efforts in the semifinal.
根據話,洪荒之力被翻譯成“prehistorical power”,基本是根據字典意思進行的直譯。而CCTV NEWS的記者也采用了這種翻譯,只不過改變了時態。在微博中,記者寫道:
A new Internet meme has emerged after Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui reacted exaggeratedly to her personal best performance in Rio 2016 womens backstroke semi-final." Ive been utilizing prehistorical powers," she told CCTV reporter. Her comment has also become part of the meme.”