有時候接到英譯中字幕翻譯，由於平日少讀中文書，翻譯字幕的時候可能用上長一些時間。好在我這幾年有空也會讀一讀亦舒、蔡瀾的閒書，將那一套簡單直接的中文搬上用場，其實還蠻好用的。難怪香港詞人林夕、黃偉文封亦舒為師太，導演谷德昭也很欣賞她。
何以平日少讀中文書？說來實在可悲，大學畢業以來，好像沒看過幾本中文寫得好的書，我多數只讀港台出版的正體中文書，中文很好的作者也寥寥可數。
所以多數時候我都沉溺在精彩的英語世界中，英國和澳洲隨便一份新聞分析報導都不見得會亂用文法、以沒有尊嚴的方式去踐踏自己的語文。美式英語有少數的書本寫得比較隨心，但寫作方式影響不到我。
新入行想靠英譯中／日譯中翻譯吃飯的新手，記得嚴選港台出版的正體中文書，而且多讀古典文學，筆下的中文才會精彩。
I sometimes work on English to Chinese subtitle translation, which I need longer working time because I don’t read Chinese books very often. Thankfully, in recent years I flipped through relaxing books of Hong Kong writers Yi Shu and Chua Lam. And I brought their direct expression of Chinese language to use when working on subtitles. Their method is quite good.
No wonder Hong Kong lyricists Albert Leung and Wyman Wong honoured her as guru. And director Vincent Kok also admired her.
Why do I read few Chinese books? The answer is pathetic. I have not come across books of good Chinese standard since graduation from NTNU. When I read Chinese I usually read Traditional Chinese books published in Taiwan and Hong Kong. It still is very rare to find a writer of good Chinese standard.
Which is why I have been indulging in the world of English language. Read any news report and analysis and commentary article published in Britain and Australia, you will see that the writers do not write with confusing grammar. Nor did they trample their own language as if it is a language without dignity.
American English is of more liberal style. I still read American English books and magazines but their style can’t influence me.
For new translators who wish to earn a living by working on English / Japanese to Chinese subtitling, they should always read Traditional Chinese books and classic Chinese literature to nurture good writing skills.
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